ALLIANZ STADIUM (Turin) – Juventus had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank as they came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon at the Allianz Stadium.
Leonardo Bonucci’s second goal of the season was quickly cancelled out by a delightful Jeremy Boga effort, before Francesco Caputo sensationally put the Neroverdi ahead minutes into the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo levelled things from the spot just after the hour, and despite a series of chances, the Bianconeri were unable to get an eventual winner.
As a result, Juventus extended their lead over Inter to two points atop the Serie A table, but the Nerazzurri play later on Sunday and could take first position by the end of Round 14.
It was Juventus who had the first real chance as Federico Bernardeschi broke free, and played the ball to Gonzalo Higuain whose low cross was completely missed by Emre Can with the goal gaping.
Can then had another go from 20 yards this time, but Stefano Turati made a good save, and from the resulting corner Cristiano Ronaldo headed high and wide.
Sassuolo were still something of a threat on the break and Giorgios Kyriakopoulos put a freekick over the wall, but it was punched away by Gianluigi Buffon.
Another good opportunity came the way of Juventus, this time Miralem Pjanic played the ball through to Higuain and his first time effort was dragged just wide of the port.
Sassuolo worked the ball from the edge of their own box into Juventus’ before Hamed Junior Traore tried to bend one into the top corner from 18 yards, but blasted over the crossbar.
The deadlock was broken 20 minutes in when Bonucci ventured forward and was perfectly laid off by Rodrigo Bentancur as he drove a low shot into the bottom corner.
It didn’t last though as Sassuolo immediately went up the other end and Francesco Caputo played in Boga who coolly dinked the ball over Buffon and into the net.
Manuel Locatelli fired inches wide, and Traore headed just over as well with Sassuolo pouncing on any mistake Juventus made.
Incredibly, Sassuolo took the lead two minutes into the second half, after a poor De Ligt clearance was played straight at Caputo, and although his shot was poor it managed to trundle through Buffon and into the net.
A Ronaldo freekick was palmed over the bar by Turati as Juventus looked to hit back right away, then a low Can cross found its way to Higuain and from two yards out the Sassuolo goalkeeper made the stop.
Moments later Ronaldo and Can combined with the former’s overhead kick falling to the latter but his strike from close range was straight at Turati.
Ronaldo had the ball in the back of the net on the hour but referee Federico La Penna correctly ruled it out for offside.
The introduction of Dybala reinvigorated Juventus and the Argentine won the Bianconeri a penalty when Filippo Romagna tripped forward. Ronaldo stepped up and sent Turati the wrong way to restore parity.
Juventus should have been in the lead as Higuain and Dybala led a blistering counter attack only for the No.10 turn and shot to be blocked by Ronaldo on the line.
Dybala found himself in on goal, but Turati once again pulled off a great save, and the Sassuolo was at it again, taking two attempts to stop Aaron Ramsey.
