In a fixture fueled by history and lofty aspirations in SA, it is only natural that this was a competitive contest from the off. However, there wasn’t the expected quality as that mostly translated into fierce exchanges rather than chances created, with Manuel Locatelli and Rafael Leão both being booked before there was a meaningful shot on goal. That came in the 20th minute, when Wojciech Szczęsny parried away Leão’s effort after some intricate linkup play from ‘I Rossoneri’. While the hosts got on top as the first half progressed, they also faced disappointment with Zlatan Ibrahimović being forced off injured.
Davide Calabria was a man in the mood for a goal, sending two ambitious strikes agonisingly wide in quick succession around the half-hour mark. Theo Hernandez also hit a venomous shot from range but saw it instinctively blocked by Giorgio Chiellini. In a promising start to the second half, Juventus’ best chance of the game fell to Álvaro Morata, but Mattia De Sciglio’s pinpoint cross was met with an unconvincing header from the Spaniard that went harmlessly wide.
At the other end, Olivier Giroud was found by Calabria’s inviting cross, but the Frenchman tried to head back to a teammate that wasn’t there instead of going for goal. Hernandez then made a brilliant burst forward despite taking a high kick from Juan Cuadrado and let off a strike that was eventually saved. Giroud learned from his earlier mistake when Alexis Saelemaekers delivered, but Szczęsny was equal to his attempt.
Weston McKennie rose well for a late header but couldn’t steer it on target, as both sides were forced to settle for a point each, which does nothing to alter either of their positions in the SA table. However, it does see ‘La Vecchia Signora’ extend their unbeaten league run to nine games, while avoids avoiding suffering back-to-back home league defeats for the first time since September 2019.
