season after Nicola Sansone's goal earned Sassuolo a
1-0 victory on Wednesday.
Nicola Sansone scored a superb first-half free-kick to earn
Sassuolo their first victory over Juventus, who had Giorgio
Chiellini sent off on another miserable night for the visitors.
A torrid night saw the Serie A champions slip to their fourth
defeat of the season and their third away from home, as coach
Massimiliano Allegri saw one of his former clubs outplay his
stuttering side in the rain at Mapei Stadium.
Allegri’s men paid for their physical approach to the game, as
poor tackles led to the decisive free-kick from which Sansone
scored, as well as the dismissal of experienced defender
Chiellini.
Sassuolo's home form has been at the heart of their excellent
start to the season, and Eusebio Di Francesco's side are now
unbeaten in eight home league matches – a run that stretches
back to April.
Allegri, meanwhile, must address his side's away form; the
champions have won only once on their travels in Serie A this
season.
Juve started the night unbeaten in their previous five outings,
and they enjoyed a spell of early pressure.
Paulo Dybala sent a free-kick bending towards goal that forced
Gianluca Pegolo to make an awkward punched clearance, with
the damp conditions making life difficult for the Sassuolo
goalkeeper who was playing in place of the suspended Andrea
Consigli.
The steady rain led to some heavy challenges, and Mario
Lemina was booked for a clumsy tackle that gave Sassuolo a
free-kick in a dangerous position after 20 minutes. Sansone
stepped up and curled in an inch-perfect shot that evaded both
the Juve wall and the reach of Gianluigi Buffon.
Juve looked to Paul Pogba for inspiration and the Frenchman
responded, creating space for himself to launch a dipping shot
at goal that drew a save from Pegolo at full stretch.
Just as the visitors seemed to be fiding their feet, Chiellini
clattered into Domenico Berardi and, having already booked him
earlier in the half, referee Andrea Gervasoni had no hesitation in
dismissing the veteran defender.
Despite their man disadvantage, the champions came out with
intent after the break, and Dybala crossed for Mario Mandzukic,
whose effort was blocked but he laid the ball off for Pogba to
slam a shot narrowly wide.
Allegri sent on Alvaro Morata for the misfiring Mandzukic as
Juve continued to press for an equaliser, and his introduction
seemed to energise Dybala, who sent a fizzing shot just wide of
Pegolo's goal.
Berardi had the ball in the net in the closing stages, but the
linesman's flag denied him a goal and Sassuolo a more
emphatic first win over the Bianconeri, whose title defence
suffered a further blow.
No comments:
Post a Comment