Kenan Yildiz scored the 1-0 for Juventus. © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

Yildiz and Vlahovic save trembling Juventus

In a surprisingly close game between Juventus and Frosinone, the favorite ultimately prevailed, moving within one point of leaders Inter.

23 December 2023

From: do

There was almost good news again for leaders Inter. After Milan had already dropped points against Salernitana on Friday, the Nerazzurri's first pursuer almost stumbled against Frosinone on Saturday afternoon. For a long time it looked as if the Turin team wouldn't be able to get beyond 1-1, but then Dušan Vlahovic impressively shot up shortly before the end and headed the score to 2-1 for Juventus. Inter can counterattack against Lecce at 18.00 p.m.

Nachdem Frosinone had already knocked Napoli out of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday, the southern Italian club annoyed another Serie A giant for a long time on Saturday. Although Juve took a 12-1 lead in the 0th minute thanks to a beautiful solo effort by Kenan Yildiz, the hosts held strong against it on the day before Christmas Eve and were not ready to send their opponent home with gifts. If they didn't want to equalize in the first half, the Giallazzurri got better and better after the restart.

Jaime Baez made it 1-1. © ANSA / FEDERICO PROIETTI

In the 51st minute, Jaime Baez made it 1-1 after a sweet pass into the penalty area by converting the ball into the bottom left corner. As a result, Juve did not look like a team that approached the trip south with a winning mentality. Coach Max Allegri was forced to act and substituted Vlahovic, ex-FCS player Hans Nicolussi Caviglia and Timothy Weah.

Dusan Vlahovic scored the 2-1 winning goal for the Bianconeri. © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

The right decision by the experienced coach, because then a change in Turin's game could be noticed. The Serbian top striker thanked the team for their trust with a wonderful header to make it 2-1 (81'). The Serb scored another goal, but it was disallowed by VAR. It remained 2-1 for Juventus.

The games on Saturday

Frosinone – Juventus 1:2
Goals: 0:1 Yildiz (12th), 1:1 Baez (51st), 1:2 Vlahovic (81st)

Bologna – Atalanta (15.00 p.m.)
Turin – Udinese
Hellas Verona – Cagliari (18.00 p.m.)
Inter-Lecce
Roma – Napoli (20.45 p.m.)