Gatti’s spectacular overhead kick and Conceicao’s strike turned the match on its head, but ex-Juventus man Renato Veiga salvaged a draw for Villarreal in stoppage time.
Juventus were once again left frustrated in the Champions League after conceding a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The result marks their fourth consecutive draw in Europe, as Igor Tudor’s men continue to search for their first victory of the campaign.
The hosts struck first in the 17th minute when Nicolas Pépé set up Georges Mikautadze, who drilled past Mattia Perin to make it 1-0. Juventus struggled in the opening half but stayed alive thanks to Perin’s sharp saves, before rallying after the break.
Just four minutes into the second half, Weston McKennie’s long throw was flicked on by Kelly and met by Federico Gatti with a stunning overhead kick to equalize. Minutes later, a disastrous back pass from Dani Parejo was intercepted by Francisco Conceicao, who raced through on goal and slotted home to give Juve a 2-1 lead.
Juventus had chances to seal the game, with Jonathan David striking the crossbar, but their wastefulness proved costly. In the 90th minute, Renato Veiga — once part of the Juventus system — rose to head home the equalizer, rescuing Villarreal and leaving Juve ruing missed opportunities.
Match Report
Scorers:
- 17′ Mikautadze (VIL)
- 49′ Gatti (JUV)
- 56′ Conceicao (JUV)
- 90′ Veiga (VIL)
VILLARREAL (4-4-2): Tenas; Mouriño, Renato Veiga, Rafa Marín, Pedraza (76′ Cardona); Buchanan (64′ Moleiro), Parejo (64′ Oluwaseyi), Gueye, Comesaña; Pépé, Mikautadze (76′ Akhomach).
Coach: Marcelino
JUVENTUS (3-4-2-1): Perin; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Cambiaso (80′ Rugani), Locatelli, McKennie, Cabal (14′ João Mário); Koopmeiners (46′ Conceicao), Yildiz (80′ Adzic); David (86′ Vlahovic).
Coach: Tudor
Referee: Kovacs
Bookings: Cabal (JUV), Cambiaso (JUV), Akhomach (VIL), Conceicao (JUV)
Dismissals: None
