Eden Dzeko's opener was canceled out by Paulo Dybala's equalizer; Napoli's perfect start to the season was halted by AS Roma as they played out a goalless draw.
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Paulo Dybala scored a late equalizer for Juventus to earn a point against Inter Milan in San Siro on Sunday. Eden Dzeko had given an early lead to the hosts but Juventus managed to score an 89th minute equalizer courtesy of a penalty kick for Denzel Dumfries’ foul on Alex Sandro inside the box. Meanwhile Inter boss Simone Inzaghi was sent off for his angry reaction to the decision. Earlier in the day, Napoli and AS Roma played out a goalless draw at Stadio Olimpico. The draw helped Napoli to move back above AC Milan to the top of the Serie A table.
It was Juventus who created the first real chance of the match. The home goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was tested by Alvaro Morata and Dzeko did enough to prevent Alex Sandro from getting on the rebound.
In the 17th minute, Milan Skriniar laid the ball to Hakan Calhanoglu outside the box and the Turkish midgfielder’s first time shot rattled the crossbar before being tucked in by Dzeko from the rebound. Meanwhile, within a minute of the goal, Federico Bernardeschi was taken off the field with a dislocated shoulder and Rodrigo Bentancur came in.
Juan Cuadrado’s long ranger went just wide of the far post after a poor giveaway by Inter, then Morata and Leonardo Bonucci got in each other’s way on a Cuadrado free kick. Both teams failed to create too many clear cut chances in the first half. After the break, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri changed the formation to 4-4-2. But Inter looked the more threatening side going forward as another long ranger from Calhanoglu went wide. Dzeko’s header from Nicolo Barella’s cross missed the target. Ivan Perisic ballooned his attempt after a promising counter attack.
Allegri made a double substitution in the 65th minute as Federico Chiesa and Dybala came in for Dejan Kulusevski and Cuadrado. It made an immediate impact as Dybala tested Handanovic from a free kick. Inter were pushed deeper into their own half as Juventus tried harder for the equalizer.
Allegri’s side finally got the breakthrough as Dumfries went in late to clear from Alex Sandro and caught the Brazilian on the foot. Initially the referee allowed the play to continue but then the VAR intervened. The referee rechecked at the side screen and a penalty was awarded. Dybala stepped up and converted the spot kick to share the points.
The result leaves Inter at third spot with 18 points from 19 games while Juventus are 6th with 15 points.
In Roma, Napoli dropped points for the first time this season. Luciano Spalletti’s side saw their perfect record of eight wins from as many games halted by Roma.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma started the game brightly as Bryan Cristante won the ball in the midfield and released Tammy Abraham on goal with a brilliant through ball, but the Englishman fired his shot wide. At the other end, Lorenzo Insigne cut inside from the left before firing his shot well over the bar.
Fabian Ruiz played a precise through ball for Matteo Politano on the right side of the penalty area. The Italian winger’s cut back found Victor Osimhen at the near post but the Nigeria international’s attempt hit the post. And then, Rick Karsdorp’s despearate tackle prevented Mario Rui from turning in the rebound. Osimhen’s looping header from the subsequent corner clipped the crossbar.
Gianluca Mancini missed a glorious opportunity as his on the run header from Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free-kick went wide. Osimhen saw his late goal ruled out for offside. Meanwhile both Mourinho and Spalletti saw red cards for dissent.
The draw leaves Roma in 4th spot with 16 points from 9 games.
