Juventus 1-1 Frosinone: Blanchard denies Bianconeri at the death
Simone Zaza's deflected strike early looked set to
earn the hosts a third successive win in all
competitions but their newly promoted opponents
equalised in injury timeFrosinone claimed their
first point of the Serie A season as Leonardo
Blanchard's late header secured them a shock
1-1 draw against Juventus .
Simone Zaza – given his chance in the absence
of fellow forwards Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro
Morata – struck his first goal for Juventus after
50 minutes, though his shot needed a deflection to
get past visiting goalkeeper Nicola Leali.
Massimiliano Allegri's side looked set to make it
two wins on the spin in domestic action following
Sunday's 2-0 triumph at Genoa, only to concede a
late equaliser in injury time.
A corner from the left allowed defender Blanchard
to come up from the back and head home only
Frosinone's second goal of the campaign, though
despite the impressive result they still remain
bottom of the table.
Frosinone had hit the woodwork in the first half
through Nicolas Castillo, but that proved to be a
rare moment of joy in a game that, unsurprisingly,
Juventus dominated.
The hosts saw a header from Paul Pogba kept out
by the crossbar five minutes before the break,
with the Frenchman having previously curled two
long-range efforts over the top.
Juan Cuadrado also went close with a shot from
outside of the box, hitting the side netting with
former Juventus goalkeeper Leali beaten.
However, Frosinone gave the champions a
warning when a rare foray into enemy territory
saw them strike the post through Castillo.
His poked effort towards goal came back off the
woodwork before the follow-up attempt was
charged down by Andrea Barzagli. The Frosinone
players were adamant the defender had blocked
the shot with his hand, but their penalty appeals
were immediately waved away.
Zaza saw the bar at the same end of the field
keep out a looping header straight after the break,
though fortune went his way soon after when his
low shot clipped a Frosinone player to get beyond
the stranded Leali.
The busy Cuadrado twice came close to doubling
Juventus' lead, including a well-struck drive that
whistled just past the frame of the goal.
Giorgio Chiellini also had a glorious opportunity to
make it 2-0, drifting a header just wide after
ghosting in at the far post, while fellow substitute
Hernanes stung the palms of Leali in the closing
minutes.
The home side were made to pay for their
profligacy when Blanchard rose at a corner to
plant a header beyond debutant Norberto Neto in
the Juventus goal.
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