Juventus: The defining matches of the 2020/21 season
3. Juventus 0-3 Fiorentina (22/12/20)
Juventus had enjoyed a steady start to the season under Pirlo before an underperforming Fiorentina came to town at the end of 2020. The contest was the first time in which questions started to emerge of their rookie coach as their vulnerabilities were laid bare.
La Viola were aided by Juan Cuadrado’s 18th-minute dismissal as they handed Juve their first league defeat of the season thanks to goals from Dusan Vlahovic, Martin Caceres and Alex Sandro (at the wrong end).
4. AC Milan 1-3 Juventus (06/01/21)
The Federico Chiesa game. Juventus’ 3-1 victory over Milan not only provoked Chiesa’s stellar second half to the season, but it also briefly halted the Rossoneri’s momentum in their bid to claim an unlikely title.
Theo Hernandez endured a torrid night against the electric Chiesa, who combined expertly with Paulo Dybala on his way to an excellently-taken brace. An injury-hit Rossoneri netted through makeshift midfielder Davide Calabria, before Chiesa’s second strike and a poacher’s effort from McKennie confirmed a big victory for the Bianconeri.
5. Inter Milan 2-0 Juventus (17/01/21)
The momentum gathered in the wake of their Fiorentina humbling quickly dissipated after Juve ran into Antonio Conte’s Inter, who were starting to find their feet following a tricky start to the season.
This was a huge clash in the title race but it was the Nerazzurri who emphatically prevailed. Conte taught Pirlo a lesson in the 2-0 victory, as Inter murdered Juve’s pressing game amid a complete display.
Inter’s meticulous build-up play and efficient automatisms totally spooked Pirlo and from that moment forward, Juve evolved into a tamer pressing unit. A 4-4-2 mid-block was prominent throughout the second half of the season.
6. Juventus 3-2 Porto (09/03/21)
In 2019 it was Erik ten Hag’s scintillating babyfaces. 2020 saw Juve succumb to Rudi Garcia’s underdogs before 2021 brought about yet another European exit at the hands of supposed inferior opposition.
Sergio Conceição’s side had claimed a 2-1 victory against a pitiful Juve in the first leg before Sergio Oliveira’s opener in Turin extended their advantage.
What then played out was nothing short of mesmeric. The sort of drama that only the Champions League could provide. Through the persistence of Cuadrado and magic of Chiesa, Juventus forced extra-time with the game seemingly destined for penalties as Porto held on doggedly with ten men.
However, with just five minutes of the added period remaining, Oliveira’s daisy-cutter of a free-kick – too fierce for Cristiano Ronaldo and the wrists of Wojciech Szczesny – sent the Portuguese outfit through, sparking scenes of utter jubilation on the visitors’ bench and images of contempt on in the home dugout.
Pirlo was under pressure.