Juventus hosted the Serie A newcomers at Allianz Stadium in Turin on Sunday in a game that many pundits could only see a one-way outcome. The game pitted a newly promoted side up against the reigning Italian champions. The Turin club went into the game after learning about the Inter slip against fellow Turin City rivals, Torino in a match that ended 1-1. A win for Juventus, therefore guaranteed the Old Ladies at least a second place in the league standings.
Since earning a promotion to the Italian top-flight soccer, Benevento hasn't managed to win any match in Serie A.
In fact, the league newcomers have lost all their opening twelve matches in the league.
Talking points
- After spending a season in Serie B serving a match-fixing punishment, Juventus made a comeback to Serie A where the Turin club has won six consecutive Italian titles.
- Since suffering a shocking 2-1 home loss to Lazio, the Old Ladies won five consecutive Serie A matches- including the tie against Benevento.
- Benevento finished fifth in Serie B last season but went ahead to win promotion to Italian top tier soccer through the playoff. The league newcomers do not have any history in Serie A as the club was only refounded 12 years ago.
- Benevento hasn't won any competitive match since season 2017/18 began. Roberto De Zerbi's side has lost twelve Serie A matches in a row. Besides, Benevento lost 4-0 to a Serie B side, Perugia in Coppa Italia in August.
- Had Benevento managed to hang on the early lead they earned at Juventus, it would've been global talk, and Benevento would've acquired a 'giant killer' tag. In Premier League, Huddersfield Town who had qualified in the same manner as Benevento stunned Manchester United with a 2-1 win.
- Juventus who were last season's Champions League finalists went into the game after earning a precious point in the 1-1 draw at Sporting CP of Portugal. The Old Ladies are currently second in Champions League Group D with seven points while Barcelona leads the group with 10 points.
What transpired
The hosts were only missing Medhi Benatia, so Massimiliano Allegri nearly had a full-strength side to make his selection.
Juventus manager never underestimated their Sunday's opponents with Allegri just making few changes from the team that drew in Portugal. Juventus legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon gave way to Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks while Gonzalo Higuain was a lone striker.
The visitors were without Marco D'Alessandro and Andrea Costa who both nursing injuries.
Nonetheless, the manager had the rest of the players who were fresh as the club didn't take part in the midweek activity as their opponent did.
Amato Ciciretti stunned the Italian champions when he got into the target with only twenty minutes played. The visitors hunged on to their lead as the two teams went to the break. Gonzalo Higuain got for the hosts an equalizer twelve minutes after the break before Juan Cuadrado scored the winner as the game ended 2-1 in favor of the Turin club.
