Juventus Frustrated As Lecce Snatch Point In Turin
Juventus dominated proceedings at the Allianz Stadium but were left to rue missed chances and a costly penalty miss as relegation threatened Lecce held them to a 1-1 draw, denting the Bianconeri’s Serie A title ambitions.
Juventus dropped valuable points in the Serie A title race after being held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Lecce despite overwhelming dominance in Turin.
The hosts controlled possession from the opening whistle and created a flurry of chances, with Kenan Yildiz at the heart of everything dangerous. Jonathan David struck the post early on, while Andrea Cambiaso and Manuel Locatelli both went close as Lecce clung on under relentless pressure.
Against the run of play, Lecce stunned the Allianz Stadium in first half stoppage time. A sloppy pass from Cambiaso was intercepted by Lameck Banda, who showed composure and power to cut inside and fire past Michele Di Gregorio for a shock opener with the visitors’ only shot on target.
Juventus responded immediately after the break and were level within four minutes. A swift counter attack saw Yildiz deliver from the flank, and Weston McKennie arrived unmarked to guide the ball into the bottom corner for his first Serie A goal of the season.
The Bianconeri then had a golden opportunity to complete the comeback when VAR awarded a penalty for a Mohamed Kaba handball. Jonathan David stepped up but produced a tame effort, allowing Wladimiro Falcone to save and keep Lecce alive.
Juventus continued to pour forward in search of a winner, registering 25 shots and an expected goals tally of 2.69. Yildiz came agonisingly close in stoppage time when his curling effort struck the post, before Lois Openda blazed the rebound over from close range.
Lecce defended heroically in the closing stages and escaped with a precious point that lifts them five points clear of the relegation zone. Juventus remain fifth in the table, five points behind leaders AC Milan, who have a game in hand.
Next up, Juventus travel to face Sassuolo, while Lecce host Roma as the Serie A campaign continues.
