Juve’s run of draws continues with stalemate at Atalanta

Published January 16, 2025
BERGAMO: Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere (L) vies for the ball with Pierre Kalulu of Juventus during their Serie A match at the Gewiss Stadium.—AFP
BERGAMO: Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere (L) vies for the ball with Pierre Kalulu of Juventus during their Serie A match at the Gewiss Stadium.—AFP

BERGAMO: Juventus were held yet again as they drew 1-1 at Atalanta in Serie A on Tuesday, with Pierre Kalulu’s early second-half goal cancelled out by a late equaliser from Mateo Retegui.

The result brings Juve’s total number of league draws to 13 from 20 matches so far, keeping them in fifth place with 34 points. Atala­nta, also on a three-match run of draws, remain third with 43, four points behind leaders Napoli.

“To draw like that in the closing minutes hurts a bit. We played well and had the chances to win today,” said Kalulu.

Kalulu scored nine minutes after the interval, finishing Weston McKennie’s pass into the box by sliding the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi at the near post.

However, Atalanta built momen­tum and substitute Rete­gui, returning from injury, levelled with a diving header from Raoul Bellanova’s assist in the 78th minute.

Despite the draw both sides posted some positive records, with Atalanta remaining unbeaten in 15 Serie A games for the second time in their history.

Juve manager Thiago Motta, who watched from the stands after receiving a red card in Saturday’s derby against Torino, is also the second Juve manager to remain unbeaten in his first 20 Serie A matches following in the footsteps of Antonio Conte.

“It was a great match tonight, and I’m very happy with the way my boys played,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini told Sky. “It was difficult going behind because we were hoping to go ahead but I think at the end of the day a draw is probably a fair result.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao saved Milan from an embarrassing defeat at Como with the goals which gave Sergio Conceicao’s new team a 2-1 win.

Trailing to Assane Diao’s fine low strike on the hour mark, star players Hernandez and Leao tur­ned the match around by the 76th minute, handing Conceicao his first league win as Milan coach.

Tuesday’s victory in one of their two games in hand moved Milan up to seventh on 31 points, five behind fourth-placed Lazio as Conceicao tries to reignite the Italian giants’ bid for Champions League qualification.

“They (Como) are a good team with a good coach, it’s not easy to play here,” said Conceicao.

“It was an even game but we can’t con­cede as much as we did, we need to be more organised.”

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2025

Opinion

Editorial

The Peca problem
Updated 15 Feb, 2025

The Peca problem

The fight for fundamental freedoms is not the media’s alone, but one that concerns every citizen.
Miners in danger
15 Feb, 2025

Miners in danger

YESTERDAY’S devastating terrorist attack in Harnai, which killed at least 11 coal miners and injured seven others,...
Solar panels scam
15 Feb, 2025

Solar panels scam

THE scam involving over-invoicing to the tune of more than Rs69bn in the import of solar panels raises many ...
Dangerous times
Updated 14 Feb, 2025

Dangerous times

Pakistan accounted for six journalist killings in 2024, of which three were deliberately murdered, according to the CPJ.
Difficult target
14 Feb, 2025

Difficult target

A ONE-two punch delivered by an unforeseen, sharp dip in inflation and an extremely slim base of taxpayers is...
Amazing show
14 Feb, 2025

Amazing show

PAKISTAN’S ability to turn it up at the flick of a switch remains uninhibited. The latest show came in...