Serie A
Late Gervinho Strike Stuns Juventus
An injury time goal from Gervinho helped Parma snatch a point against Juventus in a thrilling encounter at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus looked like they were going to put their midweek Coppa Italia elimination behind them and restore their 11 point lead at the top of Serie A.
A double from Cristiano Ronaldo on his 34th birthday and a goal from Daniele Rugani had put the Bianconeri 3-1 up with 16 minutes remaining.
However, two goals from Gervinho helped Parma rescue a famous point.
Juventus have now conceded six goals in their last two games in a defence missing the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli due to injuries.
Ronaldo Puts Juventus In Front
Juventus got off to a sloppy start and were giving the ball away too cheaply in the early stages.
Max Allegri’s men were struggling to break down a well organised Parma defence, with clear cut chances at a premium.
On 33 minutes, Juventus came within inches of breaking the deadlock.
Douglas Costa played a brilliant pass to Sami Khedira inside the penalty area who unleashed a left-foot shot which struck the base of the post.
Just three minutes later, Juventus took the lead.
Blaise Matuidi played the ball out wide to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international hit a shot which deflected off Parma defender Simeone Iacoponi and flew into the bottom corner of the net.
Juventus nearly doubled their lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Great combination play between Mario Mandzukic and Cristiano Ronaldo allowed the latter to have a shot on goal. However, the Portuguese striker dragged his shot well wide.
Three Goals In Four Minutes
The Bianconeri came close to making it two on 57 minutes. A great dinked cross by Ronaldo picked out Sami Khedira who’s header hit the post from close range.
On 62 minutes, Juventus finally doubled their advantage. A cross by Mandzukic into the box was flicked on by Ronaldo and into the path of Daniele Rugani who diverted the ball into the net from close range.
Two minutes later, out of nowhere Parma got a goal back. A brilliant cross by Juraj Kucka found Antonino Barilla who headed the ball into the net.
Parma’s hopes of salvaging something from the game looked short lived, as Juventus restored their two goal cushion moments later.
A great delivery into the penalty area from Mario Mandzukic found Ronaldo who planted a trademark header beyond Sepe in the Parma goal.
It was an incredible passage of play, which saw three goals scored in just four minutes.
On 73 minutes, Parma made it 3-2. Once again, Juraj Kucka was the provider delivering a low cross into the penalty box. Gervinho managed to get in front of Juventus defender Daniele Rugani and flicked the ball past Mattia Perin in the Juventus goal.
In injury time Parma incredibly equalised. Roberto Inglese did brilliantly to hold off his marker and pulled the ball back to Gervinho.
The Ivorian then hit a first-time shot past Mattia Perin in the Juventus goal and into the net.
Juventus couldn’t find a winner and means the gap at the top of the table is reduced to nine points.
Defensive Problems For Allegri
This result capped off a miserable week for Juventus boss Max Allegri and his players.
After being dumped out of the Coppa Italia in midweek by Atalanta, Allegri would have expected a response from his players.
At 3-1 up with just 16 minutes to go, it looked like they were going to get back to winning ways.
But their defensive problems continued, as they dropped points at home for only the second time this season.
The Bianconeri have now conceded six goals in their last two games and are badly missing the injured trio of Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
Giorgio Chiellini is likely to return in time for the clash against Atletico Madrid.
However, both Barzagli and Bonucci are big doubts.
That will be a huge concern for Allegri who knows that Champions League success is where he will be judged this season.
Gervinho Rolls Back The Years
It was another impressive performance from Parma, in particular in the second half.
They struggled to create chances in the first half but improved after the break.
Slovakian midfielder Juraj Kucka was a constant threat in the second half down the right hand side.
Meanwhile, Gervinho showed once again that he is a natural born finisher and took both of his goals well.
Despite being in 12th place, the Gialloblu are just six points off the top four.
It will take something extraordinary for Roberto D’Aversa’s side to make the Champions League next season.
But given their trials and tribulations over the last few years, it is great to see Parma playing the type of football that made many neutrals fall in love with them in the 1990s.
Next up for Parma is Inter at home on Saturday night.
For Juventus, they travel to Sassuolo next Sunday.
Photo credit to Juventus via Twitter
