Hellas Verona 1-1 Juventus: 3 takeaways as Juve drop more points

Juventus‘ Scudetto chances were dealt a big blow on Saturday night after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hellas Verona.

The visitors laboured through the opening period but started brightly after the restart, taking the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo. Andrea Pirlo’s side, however, failed to seize the initiative after breaking the deadlock and eventually succumbed to Antonin Barak’s late headed equaliser.

The disappointing point means the Bianconeri currently sit seven points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s clash.

Laboured

This was a performance we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Pirlo’s Bianconeri as of late. Bereft of any inspiration.

Credit has to go to Ivan Juric’s side, who were able to disrupt Juve’s build-up by implementing a higher block than usual and utilising a pair of man-marking pivots to make it as difficult as possible for Juve to build centrally. Adrien Rabiot seemed overwhelmed by the intensity of former Juve man Stefano Sturaro at times, with the Frenchman a particular culprit of sloppy play in the build-up phase. Rodrigo Bentancur, meanwhile, fared a little better in this regard.

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Merih Demiral’s distribution struggles certainly proved detrimental as well, with the Turkish international’s poor clearance the catalyst for Verona’s equaliser.

While Verona should be credited for ensuring every build-up sequence was on ordeal for the Old Lady, Juve’s woes in the final third was much their own doing.

With Juric failing to alter from his unique man-oriented back three, Cristiano Ronaldo and Aaron Ramsey were marked out of the contest for large swathes by Koray Gunter and Giangiacomo Magnani respectively. A lack of dynamic movement from the pair made their functions relatively easy, while scarce rotations from Juve’s attacking unit meant the Verona defence was rarely disorientated as a collective.

Overall, Juve’s poor build-up play and inability to sustain attacks meant they weren’t able to seize control of the bout. After taking the lead, the Bianconeri seemed to merely go through the motions and a Verona equaliser appeared inevitable despite their own inactivity in the final third.

The importance of Chiesa

Federico Chiesa is ever-evolving in Turin, proving his worth once again in this one.

With a long list of absentees forcing Pirlo to switch to a 3-5-2 (3-4-1-2 in possession), Chiesa was deployed as a wing-back on the right flank. It’s a role he often played during the latter stages of his Fiorentina career under Beppe Iachini and one he was deployed in by Pirlo on occasions to start the 2020/21 campaign. It’s a role he hasn’t played in months, however.

Nevertheless, the Italian impressed: combining for five tackles and interceptions, while notching the assist for Ronaldo’s scrappy strike.

His movement in the build-up to the goal was superb, and exactly what Juve needed to penetrate Juric’s defensive block. With two of Verona’s centre-backs occupied by Ronaldo and Ramsey between the lines, Chiesa astutely exploited the space behind the defence via an out-in run from the right. Once he received Ramsey’s pass in the Verona box, with Federico Dimarco matching his run stride for stride, the Italian took a moment to assess his options before calmly teeing up Ronaldo for the opener.

Juve’s best performer on the night.

Disappointing Ramsey

There were several sub-par performers for the Bianconeri in this one, but Ramsey’s display was so disappointing.

This was the chance for the Welshman to build on a bright performance in the 3-0 triumph over Crotone but he failed to take it. While his erratic nature is distinct, Ramsey was overly loose in possession tonight as he struggled to outmanoeuvre his man-marker, Magnani, throughout.

His movement off the ball didn’t appear as crafty as usual as well, while his refusal to penetrate in behind the Verona defence was certainly out of character. The former Arsenal star’s night was epitomised by his unconvincing effort from close range which could’ve put Juve 2-0 ahead midway through the second period.

However, Weston McKennie’s minimal impact after replacing Ramsey with 68 minutes gone may serve as some consolation for the Welshman. Perhaps you just have to credit Magnani for an all-encompassing showing.