Genoa 1-1 Juventus: Bianconeri stumble in Serie A title race as ...
Juventus failed to take the opportunity to go top of Serie A as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Genoa.
The Bianconeri took the lead midway through the first half when Milan Badelj gave the ball away on the edge of his box, leading to Federico Chiesa rounding goalkeeper Josep Martinez and being brought down.
The Italy international then got up to send the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.
The lead lasted until three minutes after the restart, when half-time substitute Caleb Ekuban controlled a ball on his chest then headed on for Albert Gudmundsson to slide home.
Neither side threatened greatly from this point onwards with the sharing of the spoils a fair result.
The result sees Juventus remain a point behind Internazionale at the top of the table, with the Nerazzuri set to face Lazio in Rome on Sunday night.
Talking Point - Juventus' lack of creativity could derail title bid
Juventus' run of seven wins in eight has obscured slightly the lack of menace they possess in the opposing third. Only twice in the last seven games have they scored more than a solitary goal.
Massimiliano Allegri deserves credit for lifting a side from last season's seventh-place finish to within touching distance of the summit, but with the exception of Chiesa, they do not have a player who scares the opposition. Dusan Vlahovic, though he slipped through a good ball for Chiesa leading to the penalty, does not pose the threat he seemed to before the adductor injury he suffered midway through last season and it is no surprise they have been linked with a move for Sassuolo's Dominico Berardi in January.
Player of the Match - Federico Chiesa (Juventus)
He will play many better games but in a match devoid of attacking quality he stood out the most. As well as the goal, he was denied a goal from a freakishly narrow angle by a good stop from Martinez and picked out Vlahovic with a wonderful right-wing cross which the Serbian striker could not put away.
Player Ratings
Genoa: Martinez 6; Dragusin 6, Bani 6, De Winter 6; Sabelli 6, Malinovskyi 6, Badelj 5, Frendrup 6, Vasquez 6; Gudmundsson 7, Messias 7.
Subs: Ekuban 7, Haps 6, Vogliacco 6.
Juventus: Szczesny 6; Gatti 6, Bremer 6, Danilo 6; Cambiaso 6, McKennie 6, Locatelli 6, Miretti 6, Kostic 6; Vlahovic 6, Chiesa 8*.
Subs: Iling-Junior 5, Weah 6, Yildiz 6, Milik 5.
Match Highlights
22' BEST CHANCE OF THE GAME SO FAR! A fantastic low outswinging cross from Chiesa which Vlahovic meets on the six-yard box but cannot steer home.
27' PENALTY FOR JUVENTUS! Chiesa is brought down by Martinez after he pushes the ball past the goalkeeper following a poor error in possession from Badelj.
28' GOAL FOR JUVENTUS! Chiesa sends the keeper the wrong way, drilling the ball low into the left hand corner.
48' GOAL FOR GENOA! Substitute Ekuban has an immediate impact, he brings the ball down with his upper chest then heads on to Gudmundsson who slides home.
90' JUVENTUS GO CLOSE! Bremer did not know much about it but a corner was flicked to him and the ball was heading into the roof of the net via his thigh before Martinez tipped over.
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