02 June 2023
Juventus Under 19's season came to a close despite a 1-1 draw in the play-offs against Sassuolo.
Only victory would have ensured Juve Primavera's passage to the semi-finals against Lecce but Pieragnolo's lat goal cancelled out Hasa's opener, bringing the curtain down on a hard-fought campaign by the young Bianconeri.
THE MATCH
Knowing only victory would suffice, Juve set out on the attack from kick-off. The first chances fell to the Bianconeri when Hasa and Yildiz shot over the bar.
Juve's endeavour was soon rewarded, though. On 10', a free-kick from the edge of the area was perfectly executed by Hasa A low shot slipped into the bottom corner to give Juventus the advantage.
Sassuolo responded. In the 21st minute Daffara was on hand to hold back the Neroverdi, but the double save by the Juventus goalkeeper was only a taster for what was to come.
In the 37th minute, the referee deemed Savona's touch with his arm in the area a penalty. Bruno stepped up. Daffara not only saved the spot kick but also the rebound.
Juve were ahead at the break.
Sassuolo started the second half aggressively - again Daffara held the hosts back. The Bianconeri keeper's dampened the home side's fire. Juve appeared in control, but with the finish line beckoning, Sassuolo struck. A surprise shot by Mata from distance was parried by Daffara, but the quickest to pounce on the loose ball was Pieragnolo, who finished to make the score 1-1.
With energy running low, Juve rarely threatened. Indeed, at the end of the six minutes of added time Daffara was sent off. While Sassuolo celebrated at the final whistle, the Juventus Under 19 season came to a conclusion.
PAOLO MONTERO'S POST MATCH COMMENTS
“It was the right result in the end. We wasted a lot of chances in the first half, when we could have had the game wrapped up but that's football. I congratulate Sassuolo and Bigica who is a great coach. We're heading back to Turin with a sense of regret because we arrived with so much hope, but unfortunately the victory didn't come. When you waste a lot, against such a strong team, then the closing stages become dangerous and that's how it was. Yildiz played a good game, even making sacrifices; he's grown a lot. The future is in his hands. Daffara has shown his value during the year, also with the Next Gen. He too has his future in his own hands - he is a humble lad who wants to work."
