Juventus will have to find their rhythm and definitely launch their season. Separated from Ronaldo, she lost on Saturday to a promoted.
The after-Cristiano Ronaldo started in the worst way for Juventus Turin, beaten at home on Saturday by the astonishing promoted Empoli (1-0), and who only counts one point after the first two days of Serie TO.
Voluntary but confused, Juve was jostled by Empoli, without complexes. And, as a nod to the big starter, returned to Manchester United, the Tuscan evening striker (Leonardo Mancuso, 21st) wears the No. 7, the Portuguese star’s favorite number.
Without “CR7”, coach Massimiliano Allegri tried several offensive options: without a real center-forward in the first period, entrusting the offensive animation to Paulo Dybala, Federico Chiesa and Juan Cuadrado; with Alavaro Morata in N.9 in second.
But the absence of the Portuguese was felt. And while waiting for the imminent arrival, according to the Italian press, of the Italian international Moise Kean, the public whistled loudly for his return to Juventus Stadium.
Juve, already back against the wall after the initial draw against Udinese (2-2), nevertheless showed their desire to enter by rushing to the promotion. And it took two great saves from Tuscan goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in front of Federico Chiesa (4th, 12th) to keep Empoli afloat.
But the Tuscans broke the bianconero momentum on their first opportunity: a strike from Nedim Bajrami countered, which took advantage of Mancuso on the lookout (21st).
Juve, stung, tried to react, often too hastily, against a combative and organized team.
In this match played at a hundred miles an hour, the promoted, far from being content to wait, did not even go far to knock out the Bianconeri by Patrick Cutrone (next, 25th) and on a dangerous head back by Chiesa (45th)!
“The team started well. But after the goal, we broke up. We need more peace, more patience, and more team play.”, Allegri found on DAZN.
Seeing that his Juve could not do it, he launched Morata in a meeting always so rhythmic, with opportunities on both sides: Dybala tried it (47th, 58th) but Bajrami was also dangerous (48th).
As the offensive animation still floated on the Juve side, Allegri notably launched the rookie Manuel Locatelli and Dejan Kulusevski, after having released Adrien Rabiot, struggling and Chiesa, exhausted.
Juve tried to increase the pressure, but nothing helped. Last season’s Serie B champion valiantly defended his feat. Juve, who at times recalled last season’s hesitant squad under Andrea Pirlo, have their work cut out for them if they are to return to Serie A again next May.
“We lost five points, it’s a shame because progress also depends on results. But we will have a lot of meetings after the international break, we need serenity”, insisted Allegri, who no longer wants to hear about “CR7”: “Right now you can’t think of Ronaldo, I have an excellent group to work with.”
If the departure of the Portuguese cut the legs of Juve, it gave wings to Ciro Immobile, candidate each season for the title of top scorer: the Laziale center forward was illustrated with a hat trick against La Spezia (6-1).
And this despite a missed penalty, which left him with some regrets: “last season I missed four penalties and I didn’t want to miss any this year. It annoys me that I missed it”, he cursed.
Atalanta, for their part, conceded a disappointing draw at home in front of Bologna (0-0).
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