Verona 1-1 Juventus: Visitors held to frustrating draw as perfect start fizzles out

Juventus’ blazing start to their Serie A campaign came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Hellas Verona side at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Saturday.

Francisco Conceicao’s opener was cancelled out by a penalty from Gift Orban as Juventus remain atop Serie A, one point ahead of Napoli, who play Pisa on Monday.

Juventus saw more of the ball in the first half and the visitors made their possession count in the 19th minute, courtesy of a stunning solo effort from Conceicao, who evaded three challenges before curling a superb shot into the bottom corner.

But the Bianconeri were unable to hold their lead for long, with the referee awarding Verona a penalty on the stroke of half-time following a VAR check for a long throw-in that struck Joao Mario’s hand inside the box.

Orban converted from the spot, with goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio only able to parry the shot onto the crossbar before it bounced in.

Verona then thought they had taken an unlikely lead in the 68th minute when Unai Nunez flicked on a corner to Suat Serdar, who nodded home from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Both sides pushed for a winner, with Verona coming closest when Orban broke away, though the striker failed to trouble Di Gregorio in space.

FT | | It ends even.@EASPORTSFC #VeronaJuve pic.twitter.com/lF1OkD2axD

— JuventusFC