The Old Lady were held to a draw by the Goddess’ followers at the Allianz Stadium despite two heroic goals from Federico Chiesa and Remo Freuler.
Atalanta needed the points against Juventus to reignite their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes. Gian Piero Gasperini’s ambitions with the Bergamaschi clashed with those of Juventus, who have their sights at the summit of Serie A. It was always going to be a tough task, and the two sides made it difficult with wasted chances.
The talking point after the game will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty and Alvaro Morata’s brain fade. Irrespective, the point shared justified their performances on the pitch.
Andrea Pirlo’s men began the proceedings with aplomb, threatening to score from the get-go. On any other night, Ronaldo would have buried his fifth-minute opportunity into the back of the net, but on this occasion, it was sent high over the bar. He was in the clear again after Morata passed him on the edge of the box, but the Atalanta defenders easily robbed the Portuguese.
Federico Chiesa took it upon himself to give Juve the lead. Rodrigo Bentancur gave him the ball 30-yard out and the summer signing from Fiorentina did the rest himself. Evading the advances from Gasperini’s men, he made space for himself. His decision to test Pierluigi Gollini himself and not pass to his fellow attackers was justified as the ball whistled into the net.
Atalanta had not tested Wojciech Szczesny in Juve goal yet and woke up from their offensive slumber. By the end of the first period, Duvan Zapata, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Matteo Pessina made attempts to change the status quo but could not force the issue.
Juventus began the second affair as the first and should have doubled their lead through either Alvaro Morata or Adrien Rabiot. The Spaniard was denied by a save from Pierluigi Gollini, while Rabiot missed the target despite getting a free header in the box.
Again, La Dea had failed to match Juve’s attacking creativity in the opening exchanges. But they managed to cancel off Chiesa’s wonder strike with one of their own. After Alejandro Gomez had been wrestled off the ball, Remo Freuler took the ball and sent a torpedo into the top-left corner. The ball clattered off the upright and into the net.
The Old Lady should have taken the lead promptly after the Atalanta equalizer but could not get past the Goddess’ charms on Gollini’s posts. Hans Hateboer brought down tripped Federico Chiesa and the referee Daniele Doveri had no choice but to point to the spot. Ronaldo stepped up to take it.
The Portuguese had successfully converted four times in the past few weeks, but the streak would come to an end. He sent down a tame effort towards the bottom right corner and the Atalanta number 95 easily saved it.
After the CR7 miss, Juve fans received another shock. Weston McKennie sent Morata through on goal and only had Gollini to beat. However, the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid forward’s effort was heroically saved.
At the other end of the pitch, La Dea were denied their attempts. Both Cristian Romero and Alejandro Gomez tried their luck, sending thunderbolts down the goal but Wojciech Szczesny stood in their way. When referee Daniele Doveri blew for full-time, the two sides could not be separated, not through lack of trying.
Gasperini will take the result against the reigning Italian champions. However, it allows Hellas Verona to strengthen their European competition case as a win against Sampdoria at home would put distance between themselves and Atalanta.
Meanwhile, Juve will rue the chances missed and inability to test Gollini more. They have missed the opportunity to close the gap on Milan at the top of Serie A points table. However, with games against Milan and Sassuolo coming in the first ten days of the new year, they can right their wrongs.
MATCH REPORT
December 16, 2020 – Serie A 2020-21 Round 12
JUVENTUS-ATALANTA 1-1
SCORERS: 29′ Chiesa (J), 57′ Freuler (A)
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JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Szczesny; Cuadrado, de Ligt, Bonucci, Danilo; McKennie, Arthur (72′ Rabiot), Bentancur, Chiesa (75′ Alex Sandro); Ronaldo, Morata (84′ Dybala) (Buffon, Pinsoglio, Bernardeschi, Da Graca, Dragusin, Frabotta, Kulusevski, Portanova, Ramsey) Coach: Pirlo |
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ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Palomino, Romero, Djimsiti; Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Malinovskyi (71′ Miranchuk), Pessina (53′ Gomez); Zapata (72′ Muriel) (Sportiello, Rossi, Depaoli, Gyabuaa, Lammers, Mojica, Sutalo, Traore) Coach: Gasperini |
REFEREE: Mr. Doveri from Rome NOTES: Yellow Cards: Rabiot, Morata, McKennie (J), Romero, De Roon (A); Extra Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 4′
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