Ante Rebic scored a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time, ensuring that Marco Giampaolo remains unbeaten as Lecce’s head coach while leaving Juventus to rue missed opportunities in a 1-1 draw.
Juventus faced a mounting injury crisis, with nine first-team players sidelined, including key figures like Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie. As a result, Tim Weah was deployed as a False 9 in the absence of conventional strikers. Lecce, having recently parted ways with coach Luca Gotti, welcomed Giampaolo, who had secured a 1-0 victory against Venezia in his first match at the helm.
The match began with Juventus creating early chances but failing to capitalize. In the sixth minute, Kenan Yildiz delivered a dangerous cross that Khephren Thuram somehow directed onto the post from close range. Juventus continued to press, hitting the woodwork again in the 16th minute when Francisco Conceicao’s long-range effort struck the far post.
Weah thought he had scored in the 25th minute after following up on a rebound, but an offside call against Manuel Locatelli nullified the goal. Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu and Nikola Krstovic tested Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin with several attempts, but he remained alert to keep the score level.
As the match progressed, Juventus had their share of luck when Lecce’s Cambiaso saw his shot deflected off Kialonda Gaspar, almost catching Falcone off guard. The Bianconeri appeared to be on course for victory when they took the lead through a deflected shot that found its way into the net.
However, Lecce refused to give up and created multiple chances late in the game. In stoppage time, they finally found their equalizer when Krstovic made a run down the left flank and set up Rebic for an easy tap-in from four yards out.
This late goal marked Juventus’ third consecutive draw across all competitions, leaving them searching for answers as they navigate through their injury woes and aim to regain their winning form.
Goals: Cambiaso 68 (J), Rebic 93 (L)
Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo (dall’84’ Pierotti); Ramadani (dal 75′ Kaba), Coulibaly, Rafia (dall’81’ Oudin); Dorgu, Krstovic, Tete Morente (dal 75′ Rebic)
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Perin; Danilo, Gatti (dal 63′ Rouhi), Kalulu, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram (dal 63′ Fagioli); Conceicao (dall’84’ Pugno), Koopmeiners, Yildiz (dal 75′ Mbangula); Weah
