A High-Stakes Showdown
In an emotionally charged afternoon at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Juventus secured their Champions League qualification with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Venezia, a result that also confirmed relegation to Serie B for the Venetian side.
With goals from Kenan Yıldız, Randal Kolo Muani, and Manuel Locatelli (penalty), the Bianconeri clinched 4th place in Serie A, holding off pressure from Roma. Meanwhile, despite a valiant effort, Veneza couldn’t escape the drop, ending their season in bitter disappointment.
📌 First Half: Juventus Fights Back to Take Lead
🔵⚪ Team Context
- Juventus (3-5-2): Needed a win to secure Champions League football, with Yıldız and Kolo Muani leading the attack.
- Venezia (4-3-3): Battling to avoid relegation but dependent on other results.
⚽ Key First-Half Moments
- 2’ – GOAL FOR VENEZIA! FILA! (1-0) ⚽
- Team play: Mikael Egill Ellertsson crossed from the left, and Daniel Fila finished with his knee, leaving Di Gregorio no chance.
- 10’ – Juventus Goal Disallowed!
- Alberto Dossena scored from outside the box, but VAR ruled it out for handball in the buildup.
- 25’ – GOAL FOR JUVENTUS! YILDIZ! (1-1) ⚽
- Yıldız latched onto a quick throw-in, dribbled past a defender, and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner. While the shot was powerful, goalkeeper Radu could have done better.
- 31’ – GOAL FOR JUVENTUS! KOLO MUANI! (1-2) ⚽
- Veneza’s misplaced pass allowed Kolo Muani to control with his right foot, drive into the box, and smash a powerful shot near the center of the goal. Again, Radu’s positioning was questionable.
- 34’ – Juventus Woodwork!
- Hans Nicolussi Caviglia (ex-Juventus) hit the post from a well-worked corner routine.
Halftime: Venezia 1-2 Juventus
🔥 Second Half: Locatelli Seals Victory Late
⚡ Veneza Fights Back to Level
- 55’ – GOAL FOR VENEZIA! HAPS! (2-2) ⚽
- John Yeboah burst down the right and crossed for Ridgeciano Haps, whose shot took a deflection off N. Savona, wrong-footing Di Gregorio.
- 60’ – Di Gregorio’s Heroic Save!
- Yeboah played a brilliant pass to I. Doumbia, whose fierce shot was tipped over by Di Gregorio’s left hand in a stunning save.
- 72’ – PENALTY FOR JUVENTUS!
- Nicolussi Caviglia fouled Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição inside the box.
- 73’ – GOAL FOR JUVENTUS! LOCATELLI! (2-3) ⚽
- Captain Locatelli sent Radu the wrong way, burying his penalty into the top-left corner.
Full Time: Veneza 2-3 Juventus
📊 Standings Impact: Juventus in UCL, Veneza Relegated
- Juventus secures Champions League football after an inconsistent season.
- Veneza drops to Serie B, joining Empoli and Monza.
🔍 Tactical Analysis: How Juventus Turned the Tide
⚽ Juventus (3-4-2-1) – Fast Transitions & Clinical Finishing
✅ Strengths:
- Quick counterattacks after winning possession.
- Yıldız & Kolo Muani decisive in attack.
- Locatelli commanding in midfield.
❌ Weaknesses:
- Defensive vulnerability against crosses.
- Sloppy buildup play in the first half.
⚽ Veneza (3-5-2) – Brave but Inconsistent
✅ Strengths:
- Effective wing play (Yeboah & Haps).
- High pressing early on.
❌ Weaknesses:
- Lack of composure in key moments.
- Defensive fragility against counters.
🌟 Man of the Match: Manuel Locatelli
Why He Stood Out:
- Scored the winning penalty with ice-cool precision.
- Midfield maestro, balancing defense and attack.
- Top-rated player (7.8 – SofaScore).
🔮 What’s Next?
Juventus
- Preseason: USA Tour friendlies.
- Transfer Market: Seeking a striker & right-back.
Veneza
- Serie B: Squad rebuild for promotion push.
🎯 Mission Accomplished for Juve, Veneza Bow Out with Pride
Juventus did just enough to secure Champions League football, while Veneza fought hard but fell short.
Now, the Bianconeri prepare for Europe’s elite, while Veneza must regroup in Serie B.
📌 Sources: OneFootball, FlashScore, Lega Serie A, SofaScore.
News cover image by: football-italia.net
