Juventus: The defining matches of the 2020/21 season

7. Juventus 0-1 Benevento (21/03/21)

Oh god, there really were some humiliations, eh? This was bad.

While Juve had experienced European disappointment earlier that month, they headed into the domestic bout with Benevento on a five-game unbeaten run in Serie A. However, thanks to an uncharacteristic Arthur Melo brain fade in possession, Juve were subject to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat.

It was Benevento’s first victory over the Old Lady in their history. The undoubted highlight amid their demise to Serie B.

Nevertheless, this result all but ended Juve’s already slim title hopes, although the prospect of the Italian giants slipping out of the top-four hadn’t yet been realised.

8. Juventus 0-3 AC Milan (09/05/21)

In the end, it was this result that seemingly spurred the Bianconeri to a faultless end to the season.

Juventus were comfortably second-best to a resolute and ruthless Rossoneri in this one, as Pirlo’s tactical failings reared their ugly head in the 3-0 defeat. The manner of Milan’s victory could’ve ensured Pirlo’s position was untenable, but the Bianconeri would come roaring back.

9. Juventus 3-2 Inter Milan (15/05/21)

This derbi will be remembered for its disastrous officiating, no doubt. It was Gianpaolo Calvarese’s incompetence that helped Juve to a crucial 3-2 victory over the champions after he awarded Cuadrado the softest of penalties with the game locked at two apiece following Giorgio Chiellini’s 83rd-minute own goal.

However, I’m sure Juventini will point towards Rodrigo Bentancur’s harsh sending off earlier on in the bout as a way of attempting to achieve equilibrium.

The victory kept Juve’s chances of snatching a top-four spot alive.

10. Coppa Italia Final (19/05/21)

Juventus’ precarious league position heading into the final matchday only increased the importance of the Coppa Italia. The Bianconeri had overcome Genoa, SPAL, and Inter over two legs to reach the culmination of the competition where Atalanta were waiting.

La Dea overwhelmed Pirlo’s men in the opening 45 minutes but were held at 1-1 before Juve embarked on, arguably, their most impressive second-half performance of the entire campaign. The distinct threat of Duvan Zapata and lethal substitute Luis Muriel were nullified, with Atalanta’s creative progression methods often stifled by an astute Juve press.

The inherent resolve of the Calcio monsters eventually came out to play against a free-spirited juggernaut as Chiesa – who else – scored the game-winner midway through the second period.

This result, combined with what ensued on Matchday 38, ensured Juve’s 2020/21 season wasn’t a total disaster, with Pirlo’s coaching capacity laid bare with smart half-time adjustments.