With Juve involved in two high-octane games where 15 goals were netted, the entertainment value dramatically dropped for Saturday’s Serie A test in Verona.
Verona head coach Paolo Zanetti was missing a plethora of key players to tackle Juventus, so were unfancied to cause problems for the in-form Turin titans.
Yet Zanetti masterminded an impressive and deserved 1-1 draw inside the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, although there were some controversial moments.
Juve manager Igor Tudor had whizzy winger Francisco Conceicao back in his line-up following a muscle injury, and started with prolific marksman Dusan Vlahovic.
It proved contrasting afternoons for the pair. Conceicao broke the deadlock after 19 minutes, while Vlahovic only managed one effort on target before being substituted as he was man-marked out of the contest.
Verona equalized on the cusp of half-time, after handball was given against wing-back and TSG Hoffenheim loanee Gift Orban converted the resultant spot-kick.
VAR intervened for the penalty decision and was required before the turnaround after Orban caught Federico Gatti with his elbow, with the Nigerian ace shown a yellow card.
It ended up as an ill-tempered clash with six yellow cards brandished by Antonio Rapuano. There were two cautions within the opening nine minutes, Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro booked for a foul on Conceicao with Gatti’s name then taken for a blatant push Domagoj Bradaric.
Suat Serdar managed to find the back of the net with a header on 68 minutes, only for VAR to rule out his strike for offside. With only substitute Lois Openda coming close to snatching a winner for lacklustre Juventus.
Juventus head Serie A
Although the single point elevated the Bianconeri to the top of Serie A, having played one more game than their nearest rivals, there were some seriously controversial moments.
It seemed to be a soft penalty as Mario closed his eyes and didn’t know where the ball was going, but it did not appear to be a deliberate handball.
Tudor fumed to DAZN after the match: “The penalty that was given is shameful. If someone doesn’t see the ball, what is he supposed to do?
“These kinds of penalties don’t exist, only people who have never played football could give that. It’s a shameful rule.”
The referee only showed Orban a yellow card for his elbow in the face of Gatti, with the blow also touching the defender’s shoulder.
Tudor continued his rant: “If you don’t give a red [card] for that, I don’t know what you give a red for. If that’s not a red, honestly it’s a disgrace.
“I was right there, I saw it myself. I’ve never seen two decisions like that, but in the end matches are decided like this.”
Tudor laments lack of energy
Although Tudor’s post-match press conference did not touch on the controversy, he made excuses for not collecting maximum points.
He explained: “I noticed that the team was tired. They lacked energy and weren't as fresh as they should have been.
“But I can't fault the lads, both those who started and those who came on as substitutes. Even those who came on showed desire but there was no freshness."
Tudor’s tactics were all over the shop with his haphazard array of substitutions, and he has a large enough squad to rotate after Tuesday’s Champions League exploits against Borussia Dortmund.
The woeful display was not down to tired legs, as they had plenty of rest, it was more a question of lack of tactics and Tudor sticking with his favorite players.
Two draws on the bounce must surely bring back thoughts of the Juventus era under Thiago Motta. Tudor needs to get things right against Atalanta next weekend before the international break.