Venezia 1-1 Juventus: Player ratings as Bianconeri slip up in Venice
By Sean Walsh
Juventus lost further ground in the Serie A title race after succumbing to a 1-1 draw away at Venezia on Saturday evening.
The Bianconeri could end the weekend 13 points off the pace at the top of the table and would do well to even re-qualify for the Champions League at this rate.
Juve were dealt an early blow when Paulo Dybala had to be subbed after 12 minutes through injury, and was replaced by 19-year-old Kaio Jorge.
And the young Brazilian nearly scored with his first touch after Matthijs de Ligt's header reached him from a corner, but his effort went just over the bar.
At the other end, the Dutch defender had to be alert to deny Dennis Johnsen a sight of goal, sliding in with a last-ditch challenge to keep the scores level.
Former Man Utd goalkeeper Sergio Romero got down low to keep Alvaro Morata's low shot out, but the Spaniard found the back of the net soon after following a super cross from Luca Pellegrini.
That goal seemed to kick Juve into gear and the Spaniard nearly grabbed his second minutes later, but his shot from Mattia De Sciglio's cutback went straight at Romero.
Juventus should have doubled their lead in first half stoppage time when Manuel Locatelli released Juan Cuadrado on the break, but the Colombian dragged his shot wide.
Venezia came racing out of the blocks after half time, with Gianluca Busio working some room to shoot from distance, but it failed to trouble Wojciech Szczesny.
And the hosts soon found a deserved leveller through Mattia Aramu, who stroked home from the edge of the penalty area after a loose touch from Ridgeciano Haps fell nicely to him.
Juve continued to wilt under continued pressure, with Pellegrini just about preventing Thomas Henry from firing in an equaliser from close range.
The Frenchman was continuing to cause the Bianconeri backline problems, though the hosts were lucky that Ethan Ampadu managed to avoid a second yellow card for a series of clumsy fouls.
Against the run of play, Juventus nearly re-took the lead through a fierce strike from Federico Bernardeschi, but Romero acrobatically tipped it over the top.
Massimiliano Allegri's men were growing in confidence again and went close again after Morata picked out Jorge, but his improvised shot was deflected behind.
Juventus had a penalty claim dismissed when Morata went down under a challenge from Tyronne Ebuehi, and after substitute Matias Soule skied their last decent chance in stoppage time, they had to settle for a point.
Juventus player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - 5/10 - Despite Venezia's pressure, Szczesny was rarely tested. A harsher critic than I will say he should have got a stronger hand on the equaliser.
Mattia De Sciglio (RB) - 5/10 - Did a half-decent job at either end but wasn't exactly spectacular.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - 4/10 - Gave away possession cheaply on occasion and was put through his paces by the tricky Johnsen.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - 6/10 - Wanted to solve every defensive problem Juve had and more often than not did just that.
Luca Pellegrini (LB) - 7/10 - Delivery was pinpoint and he dominated the left flank at times.
2. Midfielders
Manuel Locatelli (CM) - 6/10 - The majority of Juve's best passages of play went through Locatelli.
Adrien Rabiot (CM) - 3/10 - The majority of Venezia's best passages of play went through Rabiot.
Paulo Dybala (AM) - N/A - Lasted little over ten minutes.
3. Forwards
Juan Cuadrado (RW) - 6/10 - Lively and dangerous, but was seriously lacking in end product.
Alvaro Morata (CF) - 8/10 - Strong performance up top. Looked assured on the ball and with his movement. Was let down by wasteful teammates.
Federico Berndardeschi (LW) - 4/10 - Contributed little to the attack.
4. Substitutes
Kaio Jorge (AM, 12' for Dybala) - 6/10 - Was very eager to be involved wherever possible, a good sign for someone so young.
Alex Sandro (LB, 77' for Pellegrini) - 5/10
Moise Kean (CF, 77' for Jorge) - 5/10
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM, 77' for Bernardeschi) - 5/10
Matias Soule (CM, 87' for Locatelli) - N/A