Journalist Roberto Beccantini discusses Juventus` 1-1 draw against Lazio at the Olimpico on his website, beckisback.it. He writes: “It was another key match, and it ended in another draw, just like the 1-1 result in Bologna. Again, Juventus took the lead. Lazio had an early attempt with Isaksen, but the game then settled into a strange, tense balance. Igor Tudor`s team capitalized on this and broke the deadlock early in the second half with a good goal from Kolo Muani, following a play involving Locatelli and McKennie.”
“The goal came in the 51st minute. Shortly after, in the 60th minute, with Thuram and the team seemingly in control, Kalulu delivered an illegal, though perhaps not serious, elbow to Castellanos. This led to Castellanos collapsing, a VAR review, and a red card. If Juventus struggled to get past the halfway line with ten men at home against Monza, it was even harder at the Olimpico against Lazio. Conceiçao, `a small disaster,` had replaced Nico, `a big disaster.` Adzic, `an exhausted Kolo,` was also on. Then, strangely, with the defense under siege, both Cisco and Adzic were taken off for Gatti and Vlahovic. `I give up,` Beccantini concludes.”
“Meanwhile, from the bench, Baroni brought on Pedro, Vecino, and Dia, among others. Dia forced Di Gregorio into a great save, partly thanks to the post, shortly after a penalty awarded by Massa for a foul by the keeper on Taty was overturned for offside.”
“Alberto Costa was also added to the `club`s sick list,` with Veiga proving one of the most active players. Douglas Luiz came on. Lazio hadn`t won at home since February 9th, and they didn`t win today either. However, around the 96th minute, they avoided defeat: a cross, a header from Castellanos, another magnificent save from Di Gregorio, and a tap-in from Vecino.”
“The takeaway: another comeback, the sixteenth draw, and another player sent off – first Yildiz, now Kalulu. Difficult times. The race for a Champions League spot remains a lottery, much like Igor Tudor`s bizarre substitutions. Lazio isn`t playing like the chaotic `Seventh Cavalry` of autumn anymore, but they did benefit from having a numerical advantage, just as Juventus did in the first leg when Romagnoli was sent off, leading to Gila`s own goal. The rest was just noise and frustration.”