Juventus Turin deservedly lose their first game of the season against Sassuolo 4-2, even by the same scoreline. The Turin side showed themselves to be good visitors and helped out kindly with three of the home side’s goals.
Before the game all eyes were on Vlahovic, the young Serbian could join an elite ranks with a goal. The 23-year-old could have scored for the first time in his career to start five games in a row in the league. At Juve, only Alessandro del Piero, David Trezeguet, Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo have managed that feat so far.
But Vlahovic was not the only one who seemed to be fired up for the game, his team-mates also started energetically and determinedly and created several goal attempts in the first ten minutes. But Sassuolo did not want to hide either and surprisingly took the lead (12th minute) with the merciful help of Juve goalkeeper Szczesny. The Pole fumbled an ill-placed shot by Laurienté through his own legs.
Lead quickly leveled out
The shock after the committed start did not last long, however; Chiesa crossed into the middle from the left and Vina put the ball into his own goal ahead of McKennie (21.). But just like Juve after the early goal, Sassuolo did not show any signs of rattling. An open game developed: Locatelli only hit the post (28th) and Szczesny prevented Ruan from scoring (38th). The fact that Juve went into the break still behind was due to the next mistake of the Turin team. Gatti lost the ball in the build-up, Matheus Henrique switched quickly and Berardi took the measure (41.): The 2-1 lead at the break was ready for the outsiders.
Even after the restart and three changes, not much changed. The game in Emilia-Romagna was lively and varied: Chiesa opened boldly but unsuccessfully (52.), Berardi was thankful not to be sent off (56.) and Laurienté (63.) and Vlahovic (68.) missed great chances.
Gatti’s unfortunate capping of a turbulent final phase
After a brief breather, Chiesa opens a curious final phase with his equaliser (78th). However, this was to remain only a short-term relief, because again Szczesny blundered, Pinamonti thanked (82.) – Sassuolo was in the lead for the third time. A setback from which the Old Lady did not recover, and it was to get much worse. Although the substitute Defrel still failed on the lower edge of the crossbar (90.+4), Gatti secured himself a place in every Serie A annual review: The centre-back did not realise that his keeper was taking a free-kick at the corner flag and wanted to play back to Szczesny. Instead, he put the ball into his own net (90.+4). The mirror image of a used evening for the Old Lady, who beat themselves in Sassuolo.
The good news for the Turin side is that they can quickly make amends in the English week at home against US Lecce on Tuesday (20.45).
