Juve make second half point in Catania

Juventus extended their unbeaten start to the season by clinching an away point in Catania. The Bianconeri struggled to find their rhythm early on, with Bergessio capitalising by putting the hosts ahead midway through the first half. But Krasic’s equaliser five minutes following the restart provided the catalyst for the desired response, and Antonio Conte’s men can consider themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points.
Conte elected to make four changes to the side that drew against Bologna. Fabio Grosso returned for his second start of the season, preferred at left-back to Paolo De Ceglie. Elsewhere, Arturo Vidal stepped in for Alessandro Del Piero and last Sunday’s match winner Alessandro Matri replaced the suspended Mirko Vucinic. The final change saw Eljero Elia make his Serie A debut, with Simone Pepe dropping to the bench.

Conte’s former international team-mate Vincenzo Montella also opted to shuffle his pack following the Rossazzurri’s midweek defeat in Genoa. Pablo Alvarez replaced Alessandro Potenza at right-back, with Gennaro Delvecchio and former Juventus midfielder Sergio Almiron coming into midfield at the expense of Marco Biagianti and Pablo Ledesma. This season’s only goalscorer, Maxi Lopez, was dropped to the bench, with Andrea Catellani featuring on the right-hand side of a three-pronged attack.

Juventus enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges without posing a significant threat on goal. The second minute saw Matri took on a host of defenders and weave his way into the box, but the striker failed to pick out a team-mate with his cross.

The Bianconeri’s first real chance arrived in the 17th minute from a free-kick. Spolli’s challenge on Pirlo was deemed to be a foul by Mazzoleni, but the Italian midfielder’s direct attempt on goal cannoned straight off the wall and Catania scrambled the ball to safety.

Five minutes later and Juventus fell behind for the first time this season. Gomez found space down the right flank, pushed the ball past Grosso and sent in a low cross. Bergessio was quickest to react, sweeping the ball home for the Rossazzuri’s second goal of the campaign.

Despite Marchisio drawing a save from Andujar seconds later, the Bianconeri looked laboured in their passing. The hosts continued to press, doubling up on Krasic and Elia, denying the wingers space in which to stamp their authority on the game.

And Catania also refused to settle for their one-goal advantage. Buffon was quick to block Lodi’s inswinging free-kick in the 26th minute, while four minutes later Catellani struck a fierce left-footed volley which flashed just wide.

Conte wasted no time in making changes, introducing Pepe at half-time in place of Elia. As the rain poured down at the Angelo Massimino, the Bianconeri grew in stature and found an equaliser five minutes after the break.

Pepe was involved immediately, squaring from the left flank to Krasic who took one touch before lashing a fierce strike goalwards that Andujar failed to hold. The ball nestled into the bottom corner and the Bianconeri were back in it with 40 minutes remaining.

The goal provided the spark for Juve’s improved second half display, in which their opponents were pinned back into their own territory. Lichtsteiner began to find space going forward, Vidal and Marchisio imposed themselves on their midfield rivals and Pepe provided industry down the flank.

And it was Pepe who had the first of Juve’s multiple chances to extend their lead. The winger collected the ball and smashed a fierce drive from outside the area that Andujar palmed behind for a corner. Then it was Krasic’s turn to try and continue his goalscoring exploits, carrying the ball forward in the 69th minute but failing to trouble Cesena’s goalkeeper with his resulting effort.

With ten minutes on the clock, it was back to a classic 4-4-2 and the chances kept coming. Matri had already given way for Del Piero and Marchisio was replaced by Quagliarella, back to Serie A action following his long spell on the sidelines.

Firstly, Krasic ghosted past Capuano on the right and clipped in a cross but Del Piero was unable to trouble the goalkeeper. Then Vidal blazed a right-footed attempt over from close-range after Juve’s captain had done well to cut the ball back from the byline.

Mazzoleni brought the game to an end following a frantic five minutes of added time. The point sees Juventus maintain their position at the top of Serie A, with a mouth-watering home clash against Milan to follow next Sunday.

CATANIA 1-1 JUVENTUS

GOALS: Bergessio 22, Krasic 49

CATANIA
Andujar; Alvarez (Marchese 29), Bellusci, Spolli, Capuano; Del Vecchio, Almiron (Ledesma 66), Lodi; Gomez, Bergessio (Suazo 78), Catellani.
Substitutes not used: Kosicky, Ricchiuti, Maxi Lopez, Lanzafame.
Manager: Montella.

JUVENTUS
Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, Grosso; Pirlo; Krasic, Marchisio (Quagliarella 81), Vidal, Elia (Pepe 45); Matri (Del Piero 73)
Substitues not used: Storari, Bonucci, Pazienza, Giaccherini.
Manager: Conte

REFEREE: Mazzoleni from Bergamo
ASSISTANTS: De Luca, Petrella
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Damato

BOOKINGS: Marchisio 16, Chiellini 25, Almiron 52, Capuano 60, Vidal 75

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