Saturday’s Serie A clash at the Allianz Stadium between Juventus and Venezia certainly did not go according to the usual Italian rulebook, and the 20th placed side in the eyes of neutrals were probably very unlucky in not managing to hold on for an unlikely all three points in the end.
The Old Lady took an early lead but were unable to build on it in front of their home faithful. The visitors rallied hard in the second half and managed to seize the advantage by scoring with both of what were their only efforts on target. Leading 2-1 as the game entered stoppage time, manager Thiago Motta’s blushes were spared with the award of a 95th minute penalty which Dusan Vlahovic suitably dispatched.
2-2, and a share of the spoils, was not the scoreline fans had expected though and they certainly voiced their displeasure at the full time whistle, with 24 year old Vlahovic the prime target for their ire. As tensions flared and comments from the fans were aired, the player became irritable and responded in kind and it left the manager facing some questions in his post game interviews.
Their gaffer insisted that Vlahovic was one of the first players who was determined to turn their current run of winless in four form around and help push them back into the battle for top spot, and whilst he had no issues with the fans voicing their displeasure and letting their emotions, and feelings, be known, he insisted that it must be done ‘respectfully’.
Juventus skipper Danilo was also questioned about the incident in his own post game press conference, and whilst he acknowledged the result had not been what anyone had wanted, he actually questioned why Vlahovic reacted so angrily. Although he knew the players had been frustrated, he could not work out what had triggered him so he was just focused on trying to get the Serbian international to calm down, but he was also quick to make the point that when a game is ended the fans also need to calm their emotions.
Naturally, that is far easier said than done when you are stood in the stands as it can often take all of us a good few hours before our tempers and frustrations actually die down following a frustrating match.
Danilo was also quick to reassure the fans that the players were ‘committed’ as well as during troubling spells on the pitch he knows that fans begin to doubt that, but they should not as the players continue to work hard and are determined to improve things.
Specifically in Tuesday’s Coppa Italia clash against Cagliari.
