15 July 2020
A six-goal thriller saw Juventus and Sassuolo secure a point each as the Serie A fixture ended 3-3 at the Mapei Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Bianconeri went two goals clear through goals from Danilo and Higuain, but the Neroverdi found a way to comeback and make it 3-2. Alex Sandro was the last to get on the scoresheet, salvaging a point for the Bianconeri.
SOUTH AMERICAN INFLUENCE
Sarri surprised many by calling Chiellini up to the starting XI, as he replaced Bonucci who had a foot problem. Higuain was also included in the line-up, with Dybala starting from the bench. Juventus needed only five minutes to take control of the game and they went 1-0 up when Pjanic played a corner to Danilo, who was on the edge of the box. The Brazilian struck it first time and it sailed past Consigli. Five minutes later and Juventus doubled the lead: Pjanic was again the assist man when he sent a vertical ball over the top to Higuain who then fired it past onrushing goalkeeper.
SASSUOLO PULL ONE BACK
The Bianconeri threatened with a chipped ball from Ronaldo that hit the side-netting, before Sassuolo threatened with their own effort from Muldur that forced Szczesny into making a reflex save. The hosts did pull a goal back just before the half hour mark when a defensive error allowed for Djuricic to fire at goal.
NEROVERDI COMEBACK & TAKE THE LEAD
Daniele Rugani was brought on at the start of the second half, as Giorgio Chiellini could only last 45 minutes. Sassuolo drew level in the 50th minute through an unstoppable Berardi free-kick that sailed into the top corner. De Zerbi’s men then turned the result on its head and claimed a 3-2 lead just four minutes later after the ball was tucked into the back post by Caputo.
ALEX SANDRO MAKES IT 3-3
Sarri then brought on Douglas Costa in place of Bernardeschi, and soon afterwards, Juventus drew level in the 64th minute. Alex Sandro was positioned at the near post as a corner was crossed into the box by Bentancur, and he rose up and nodded it into the back of the net. Consigli denied Ronaldo with an excellent save, while Ramsey was brought on in place of Matuidi with 10 minutes to go. As the game drew to a close, chances followed on each end of the field and the hosts were denied with a double save: Szczesny came to the rescue again when he blocked Traore’s effort, before Boga's follow-up was cleared off the line by Alex Sandro. Tek ensured that the scoreline remained level when he pulled off a fingertip save on Bourabia to send it over the bar.
Sassuolo: Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches, Peluso, Kyriakopoulos; Magnanelli, Locatelli; Berardi, Djuricic, Boga; Caputo
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, De Ligt, Chiellini (Rugani 46’), Alex Sandro; Bentancur, Pjanic (Rabiot 57’), Matuidi (Ramsey 81’); Bernardeschi (Douglas Costa 62’), Higuain (Dybala 57’), Ronaldo
Substitutes: Buffon, Pinsoglio, Bonucci, Rugani, Demiral, Ramsey, Rabiot, Muratore, Dybala, Douglas Costa, Olivieri
