Juventus would field a heavily rotated side to face an in
form Sampdoria who had yet to record defeat at home this season, Buffon, Barzagli, Dybala and Alex Sandro being the most
notable absentees.
Juventus would start the match brightly with chances early
on in the opening 12 minutes, first Higuaín’s effort deflected wide of the post
for a corner, 5 minute later Mandzukic having his effort comfortably saved by Viviano. Juventus would control possession and look the more
dangerous side for most of the first half, whilst Sampdoria rarely threatening
to score, yet working hard in midfield to close down space. Higuaín
would look dangerous throughout the opening 45 minutes with efforts on goal and
providing a great overhead ball onto the path of Cuadrado to have a close range
effort on goal, initially the effort looked to have been blasted wide by the Colombian only for replays to show that the shot was actually saved by
Sampdoria goal keeper Viviano, who bizarrely turned away from the oncoming shot
as the ball deflected off his back to go wide. As the half time whistle
was blown Juventus players would leave the pitch appealing for a penalty
after the ball struck Strinic’s arm from close range, replays suggested that if a penalty had been given, the decision would have been harsh.
The second half kicked off in style for the home fans as
Sampdoria took a shock early lead 5 minutes into the half, Juventus failing to
clear the ball several times prior to Zapata heading the ball past Szczesny,
moments later Sampdoria almost doubled their lead, hitting Juventus on a quick
counter attack as Zapata again threatened the Juventus defence, only for Szczesny
to make the decisive save. With 60 minutes played Allegri called on Dybala to
turn things around, as Juventus looked desperately for an equaliser, replacing Bernerdeschi
who had put in disappointing performance. Juventus had a great chance to level
the score line as Higuaín charged towards the Sampdoria goal with Cuadrado for
support, only to see Cuadrado unable to run on to his pass for the assist inside Sampdoria's penalty box.
The missed opportunity would prove costly for Juventus as
Sampdoria made it 2-0 a minute later, Torreira firing his effort beyond
Szczesny into the bottom corner. It was at this point that Juventus truly fell
apart, as the fragile Juventus defence went on to concede a third Sampdoria
goal that would later prove decisive, Ferrari tapping the ball into the net as
Juventus players paused to call for an offside flag that never came. With ten
minutes remaining the match looked to be done and dusted before Juventus would
mount a late come back into the dying minutes of the game. Higuain converted a
91st minute penalty after Costa was fouled by Strinic, although the
goal looked to be nothing more than a consolation for Juventus, moments later
Dybala stormed into the Sampdoria box to strike the ball into the bottom corner
for 3-2. Both goals would however prove to be too little, too late for Juventus,
as the match ended in a disappointing 3-2 defeat for the Bianconeri.
Thoughts: Allegri heavily rotated the side ahead of Wednesday
night’s game against Barcelona, and paid for it big time against a Sampdoria
side with a perfect home record so far this season. Bernerdeschi was given the
chance to play in Dybala’s central attacking role and failed to impress, he
could have no arguments at being replaced an hour into the game. Juventus inability
to take any of their first half chances came back to haunt them once Sampdoria
started scoring, and the defence at times looked a shadow of their former
selves (not for the first time this season either). There was several poor performance’s
all over the pitch for Juventus, though Higuaín cannot be counted among them,
providing good link up play at times and not giving up when the result look
beyond Juventus. Although the score line will make this look a closer game than
it was, the truth is that the 3-2 score line flattered Juventus. The top sides
take their chances in front of goal and Juventus rarely did so today and paid
for it, hardly ideal preparation for an important champions league fixture
against a side that’s already convincingly beaten Juventus 3-0 this season.
Full Time Result: Sampdoria 3-2 Juventus
Goal Scorers: Zapata (52), Torreira (71), Ferrari (79),
Higuain PK (91), Dybala (93)
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