It was not clear whether the last-second goal was annulled by the referee or by VAR, or by both. But it was understood that it was a foul on Di Gregorio in high output.
The defeat would have been undeserved for Juve. Who shone for commitment and tactical order, not for offensive proposal. All as usual: the Juventus management signed by Thiago Motta now offers no ups and downs. However, the solidity must be praised, especially for a draw which offers good opportunities to qualify for the Champions League play-offseven if the next commitments will be anything but trivial, starting from Guardiola’s Manchester City, scratched by the latest adversities.
Report cards in order of formation deployed. Di Gregorio massif; Savona mature but then pinched by the “usual” muscular problem and replaced by the refreshed Danilo; Kalulu and Rocky Cats; Cambiaso exhausted; Locatelli tactical lighthouse keeper; Thuram exaggerated but also confused; Conceiçao very sparkling and Yildiz just sparkling; Weah generous and Koopmeiners mysterious.
Even avoiding the embarrassing proportion with the 60 million paid to Atalanta, the Dutchman gives the impression of not knowing what to do or where to go. Wanderer in Thiago Motta’s schemesvague in sporadic individual initiatives. The Koopmeiners disappointment was compensated by the splendid effervescence of Conceiçao, uncontainable for ninety minutes and protagonist in the miraculous save of Dibu Martinez halfway through the shoot.
At the end of the second half, as mentioned, the warm thrill of the disallowed goal against Aston Villa. The emotion at the end of the match but – at least this time – without a tail of superfluous controversy. It was a foul on Di Gregorio.
Belgium
