Visiting ‘la Vecchia Signora’. There are worse places to get some match rhythm just before the turn of the year. Standard already landed in Turin on Thursday afternoon and played against the Italian superpower in front of just under 10,000 spectators.
With 7 World Cup visitors in the starting line-up (Szczesny, Milik, Danilo, Bremer, Alex Sandro, McKennie and Kostic), coach Massimiliano Allegri almost kicked off his strongest team. Only the World Cup finalists Rabiot, Di Maria and Paredes were missing, as was Chiesa who remained on the bench. At Standard, the injured Cimirot stayed in Liège and Zinckernagel was in the starting line-up after he had to miss the last two games due to a suspension.
Juventus immediately took control of the game and saw Moise Kean’s opening goal rejected for offside after just eight minutes. After a difficult opening fifteen minutes, Standard restored the balance and also created danger with goal attempts by Zinckernagel (on Szczesny) and Balikwisha (on the post).
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Liège lead after own goal
Shortly after half an hour, the Liège visitors took the lead. A spinning free kick from Dønnum was unfortunately processed into his own goal by Danilo (0-1). Juventus immediately responded with a shot from Miretti at the post, but the last two chances of the first half were again for Standard. Zinckernagel tested Szczesny’s fists from range and a header from Laifis fell just wide of the far post.
After the break, Allegri made seven substitutions and Juventus went looking for the equalizer. That also fell after Dussenne made a conspicuous penalty kick on the substitute Compagnon. Soulè, another substitute, converted the eleven meter (1-1). In the last half hour, Standard held up well and also came up dangerously a few times, including with a threatening cross from Laursen. However, scoring (and stunting) was no longer possible.
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Due to the draw against a European top club, Standard still closes the year in beauty, despite last week’s painful cup elimination at Antwerp (4-0) and the scoreless draw at AA Gent. Next Friday, the Rouches will receive STVV in-house for the first game of 2023 in the Jupiler Pro League.
JUVENTUS: Szczesny (46′ Perin) – Danilo (46′ Gatti), Bremer (46′ Rugani), Alex Sandro (46′ Huijsen) – Aké (60′ Barbieri), McKennie, Locatelli (46′ Barrenechea), Miretti (70′ Sergeants), Kostic (46′ Iling-Junior) – Kean (46′ Soulè), Milik (46′ Compagnon).
STANDARD: Bodart (46′ Henkinet) – Dussenne, Bokadi (65′ Noubi), Laifis (65′ Laursen) – Melegoni (65′ Fossey), Balikwisha (83′ Kuavita), Alzate, Dønnum (83′ Calut) – Zinckernagel (83′). ‘ Dragus) – David (65′ Canak), Perica (65’ Ohio).
goals: 32′ Danilo (own goal) 0-1, 56′ Soulè (penalty kick) 1-1
Spectators: 9.096
