Juventus put in probably their worst performance of the season and once again conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against relegation-threatened Lecce.
This tie was originally set to be played behind closed doors, but Juve won an emergency appeal for the High Court of Sport Justice to reconsider their ban for racist chanting. It was the only good news, as fans protested against Claudio Ranieri, the club's transfer policy and ending the season empty-handed. They had three points from four games and missed Momo Sissoko, Hasan Salihamidzic, Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Marchisio, Tiago Mendes, Dario Knezevic and Christian Molinaro.
Lecce's hopes of avoiding the drop were boosted by last week's 2-1 victory over Catania ending a 14-round winless streak. Luca Ariatti returned from suspension, although Daniele Cacia, Antunes, Angelo and NDiaye Papa Waigo were still sidelined. The Salentini had not beaten Juve home or away in their last seven meetings, conceding 20 goals and scoring just six.
Ranieri opted for an all-attack 4-3-3 formation with Amauri taking the centre-forward role. Juve went forward, but were toothless and in fact went behind after 11 minutes!
Axel Konan - who had also netted twice in Lecce's historic 4-3 victory here - sprung the offside trap and was totally clear on goal to side-foot past Gigi Buffon. Replays suggest the Ivory Coast striker was ever so slightly offside, though.
Amauri nodded over from close range and a Pavel Nedved shot was charged down, but for all the pressure and possession Juve struggled to actually create chances. Nedved crossed from the byline, but both Amauri and Iaquinta failed to get the decisive touch.
Vives flashed a shot across the face of goal for Lecce and Tiribocchi hit the side-netting, as Juve passed the ball around with an incredible lack of urgency.
Juventus got a shot within the frame of the goal for the first time after 43 minutes of dismal play, when Alessandro Del Piero curled a free kick that thumped the outside of the near post. Francesco Benussi also gathered a weak Amauri effort.
Buffon was seen storming around talking to himself during the half-time break, while Ranieri switched to a 4-4-2 by replacing Mauro Camoranesi and captain Del Piero with Christian Poulsen and Marco Marchionni.
It seemed to work, as Juve equalised thanks to Nedved. Iaquinta crossed for Amauri, who with his back to goal set up the on-rushing Nedved's powerful left-foot finish.
Iaquinta chested down the ball and fired on to Benussi's chest from point-blank range, as the goal boosted the Bianconeri's confidence. However, this opened up spaces for the counter and Tiribocchi went close.
Nedved will retire at the end of the season, but he completed the comeback with a brace. He trapped a cross-field pass and picked his spot in the far top corner across Benussi's body.
Lecce weren't out of it, though and eight minutes from time were only denied by a Poulsen goalline clearance! Buffon flapped at a set play and a Fabiano low drive beat the goalkeeper only to be parried by the Dane.
Moments later Buffon beat away a Tiribocchi strike from eight yards, as Juve were under siege and the fans resumed their protests.
Lecce were the ones pushing more in the final stages so it was only fair they equalised in stoppages. Paolo De Ceglie lost Javier Castillo for a diving free header at the back post on Tiribocchi's cross. The striker was utterly abandoned and Buffon had no chance. |