22 September 2021
Second-half goals from Federico Chiesa and Matthijs de Ligt saw Juventus come back against Spezia to secure a 3-2 victory at the Stadio Alberto Picco on Wednesday evening. Moise Kean had opened the scoring in the first half, but goals from Emanuel Gyasi and Antiste saw Spezia go in front.
With no win in four of their previous Serie A games, Juventus knew that anything short of three points would be unacceptable. As such, they started the game full of energy and they nearly grabbed an early opener in the seventh minute when Chiesa's pulled back ball met Kean, who drilled it just wide. De Ligt threatened on Dybala's corner when he blazed his effort over the target after striking on the half volley.
Juve's breakthrough did come in the 27th minute when a Bonucci long-ball up field was knocked on from Rabiot to Kean, who got onto the end of it and blasted it home! Unfortunately, the lead only lasted five minutes when Spezia continued the move off Szczesny's initial save, which saw Emanuel Gyasi strike a curling effort into the top corner. The half ended with a ferocious effort from Dybala, whose blaster was palmed over the cross bar by Zoet.
Massimiliano Allegri introduced Alex Sandro and Locatelli on at the start of the second half, however, it was Spezia who started off on the strong foot when an over-the-top ball to Antiste saw him go on a great run, he turned Bonucci in the box and fired home in the 49th minute to make it 2-1 to the hosts. Kean nearly grabbed an equaliser five minutes later with a glancing header that was tipped over by Zoet, while Morata came on in place of Kean.
The Spezia stopper was having a strong game and he once again found himself pulling off a save, this time denying Dybala. The goalkeeper couldn't do much with Chiesa's effort, as the Italian striker brilliantly worked his way through the defenders before sliding onto the ball as it rolled over the line.
Juventus turned the scoreline in their favour in the 72nd minute when de Ligt pounced onto the end of a corner kick, that bounced around in the box, and turned it home to make it 3-2. Szczesny pulled off a great save to deny Maggiore in the final moments of the game, as the Bianconeri claimed their first victory of the season.
Juventus XI: Szczesny, De Sciglio (Alex Sandro 46'), de Ligt, Danilo, Bonucci, McKennie, Chiesa (Kulusevski 84'), Rabiot (Bernardeschi 67'), Bentancur (Locatelli 46'), Dybala, Kean (Morata 59')
Subs: Perin, Pinsoglio, Alex Sandro, Pellegrini, Rugani, Ramsey, Cuadrado, Bernardeschi, Locatelli, Morata, Kulusevski
