A late Danilo goal stunned Atalanta against Juventus, turning a win into a disappointing 1-1 draw.
In a match with huge Champions League implications, missed chances nearly doomed Juventus. Both Vlahovic and Dybala created several prime opportunities, but the pair were unable to convert. Atalanta was the lesser team for much of the match, but it managed to score on a Ruslan Malinovskyi strike.
Juventus entered the match having lost just once in their last 14 matches. The Bianconeri started new signing Vlahovic at striker, while Weston McKennie and Dybala supported the Serbian from the midfield. After a strong performance against Verona, Giorgio Chiellini and Mathijs de Ligt headlined a formidable backline.
In contrast to Juventus, the hosts came into the fixture on a four-match winless run and without several key players. Star striker Duvan Zapata remained out, allowing the prolific Luis Muriel to start. Other notable absences for La Dea included Juan Musso, Aleksei Miranchuk, Josip Ilicic and Jose Palomino.
? Questi i nostri 11!
⚡️ How we line up against @juventusfc!Presented by @Plus500#AtalantaJuve #SerieATIM #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/JSwT7YmInu
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 13, 2022
The First Half
After a fast start, Vlahovic nearly opened the scoring for the Old Lady. The forward received the ball outside the box and sent a high curling shot towards the goal. However, backup net-minder Marco Sportiello made a diving save, preventing the ball from finding the upper corner.
Later, creativity by Weston McKennie sparked another Juventus chance. The American beat Berat Djimsiti into the box and played a cross to Vlahovic. The striker managed a glancing header, but he sent the ball just wide of the net.
Juventus continued to attack with vigor. Dybala had the next opportunity, breaking into the box with pace. The midfielder took his iconic curling left-footed shot, but the ball again flew wide of the goal.
Finally, Atalanta managed their first shot of the match on a corner kick. The ball was deflected in the box, falling to the feet of the unmarked Marten de Roon. However, the midfielder sent his first-time shot high over the bar and failed to challenge Wojciech Szczesny.
Incredible defensive play by de Ligt prevented a goal before halftime. Atalanta sparked a three-on-two breakaway, but the Dutch defender made an impressive slide tackle on Jeremie Boga that neutralized the threat.
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— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 13, 2022
The Second Half
Even as Atalanta gained momentum out of the break, Juventus continued to press. Early in the second half, Paulo Dybala dribbled by two defenders in the box, but Sportiello made a crucial save.
Dyabala again created a chance for the Bianconeri. He played a perfectly weighted pass to Morata, who broke into the box unmarked. However, the striker waited too long before pulling the trigger, ruining Juventus’ best chance so far.
Vlahovic and Dybala squandered another opportunity later in the match. The striker had Dybala in open space in the box, but he failed to play him through in time and was eventually dispossessed.
Atalanta ultimately made Juventus pay for its poor finishing. On a free kick just outside the box, Malinovskyi took the ball and blasted it by Adrien Rabiot. The dipping shot gave Szczesny no chance to make the save and seemed to give La Dea the victory.
Just when it seemed Juventus was finished, Danilo leveled the score. In added time, he put his head on a corner kick and deflected the ball into the back of the net, earning his side a crucial point and shocking the hosts.