DYING MINUTE GOAL BY VLAHOVIC SAVES OLD LADY FROM DEFEAT AT HOME TO BOLOGNA.
Juventus extended their deep-rooted bragging rights over Bologna F.C. 1909, after a last-gasp Dušan Vlahović goal rescued a point against nine-man ‘I Rossoblù’ at the Allianz Stadium.
Looking to continue their accolade of achieving the most points (28) than any Serie A (SA) side during the second half of the season, the hosts dominated early proceedings in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium, conjuring a plethora of goalscoring opportunities to keep visiting goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski on his toes. Hoping to build upon a league-low tally of only two points accumulated on their travels in the since the beginning of 2022, the visitors were not without their own opportunities within the opening 20 minutes, as several lapses of concentration within the ‘Old Lady’ backline caused an increasingly-frustrated Wojciech Szczęsny to remain attentive.
Having gone in level at HT, for only the second time in their previous 17 home league matches, after failing to register a shot on target in the final half, Juventus came within inches of taking the lead when Adrien Rabiot agonisingly failed to connect with Luca Pellegrini’s cross. However, it was the visitors who stunned a nation in the 52nd minute, when Marko Arnautović made the most of a magnificent ‘I Rossoblù’ team move, taking the ball around Szczęsny before slotting into an empty net for his sixth goal in his last seven appearances. Duly angered, Juventus headed straight up the other end, hitting the inside of the left-hand post from Danilo’s header.
Bologna were then dealt a blow in the 65th minute when Arnautović had to be replaced due to injury. However, they nearly pressed the self-destruct button in the space of 60 seconds, when Adama Soumaoro was sent off in the 85th minute for foolishly bringing down Alvaro Morata on the edge of the area, before Gary Medel was unbelievably given a second yellow card for dissent. As expected, it was backs to the wall for Bologna from that fateful minute of madness, as they looked to ride out eight exhausting minutes of added time.
It was not to be though, and Serie A golden boot contender Vlahović broke ‘Rossoblù’ hearts in the 95th minute, instinctively slotting home at the back post. Having snatched a late leveller, Juventus remain six points ahead of AS Roma in the final UEFA Champions League Qualification position, but they will still be left with much soul searching after this disappointing result against a valiant Bologna.
