Juventus vs Lazio 2-2: Last-Gasp Equalizer Ruins Chiellini and Dybala Farewell

At the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Juventus hosted Lazio in the penultimate round of the Serie A season. This happened to be the last home fixture for Giorgio Chiellini and Paulo Dybala in the famous black and white jersey. The Bianconeri had a two-goal lead at half-time, but the visitors pulled one back after the restart and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic snatched the last-second equalizer against his potential next club.

Max Allegri unleashed an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation spearheaded by Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian was supported by the trio of Federico Bernardeschi, Dybala and Alvaro Morata. The young Fabio Miretti joined Manuel Locatelli in the double pivot.

On the other hand, Maurizio Sarri made his return to Turin without the injured Ciro Immobile. Jovane Cabrale replaced the Italian bomber in the 4-3-3 lineup, and was flanked by Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagni. In midfield Danilo Cataldi acted as a Regista in-between the formidable duo of Luis Alberto and Milinkovic-Savic.

After a handful of minutes, it was the visitors who created the first dangerous opportunity as Cataldi’s shot crashed off the woodwork following a brilliant play that featured Alberto and Zaccagni.

Nevertheless, it was the home side that broke the deadlock after ten minutes of play. Alex Sandro and Morata combined on the left flank, and the Spaniard sent a cross towards the back post. Vlahovic managed to escape Marusic as well as the Lazio offside trap to head the ball home from close range and give Juventus an early lead.

After 17 minutes of play, the action was temporary halted, as Chiellini made his way towards the dugout to a grand standing ovation. Matthijs de Ligt had the honor of replacing his departing captain.

At the half-hour mark, Milinkovic-Savic stormed into the box and tried to set up an assist for Cabral, but Mattia Perin made a vital interception to deny a goal even if it at his own expense. The custodian received a slight kick to the face, but he swiftly shook it off to resume his duties.

At a time when the Biancocelesti were pushing for an equalizer, it was the Bianconeri who doubled their lead. Dybala released Juan Cuadrado with an breathtaking backheel. The Colombian made the run towards the box before picking up Morata who cut his way between a host of defenders before unleashing an exquisite shot towards the far corner. Thomas Strakosha put a hand to it, but it was too well-placed for the Albanian goalkeeper.

Just minutes after the restart, Lazio managed to pull one back from a corner kick. Patric directed a low and powerful header towards goal. The ball hit Alex Sandro’s leg and the deflection was enough to beat Perin.

After a couple of dangerous chances for the capital side, the hosts almost found a third goal following a series of changes. Marley Aké stole the ball and launched a swift counter attack. Bernardeschi crossed the ball towards Kean but the young Italian’s marvelous chest and volley whistled past the goal.

At the 77th minute, Juventus fans had to endure another heartbreaking farewell, with Dybala leaving the Allianz Stadium pitch for the last time. The Argentine received a warm embrace from his teammates, before being saluted by Allegri, Sarri and crowds in the stadium. La Joya was replaced by the young Martin Palumbo.

In the final minute, Juventus could have consolidated the win with a third goal, but Lazzari dispossessed Cuadrado to launch a stunning Lazio counter attack. A shot from Basic was parried away by Perin, but Sergej struck the rebound home to snatch a precious point for the capital side who now secure a spot in next season’s edition of the Europa League.