The Report Cards: Juventus vs. Verona

After a three-week block the place Juventus racked up seven out of a attainable 9 factors in opposition to their remaining (on paper) tough stretch of the season, certainly Juventus wouldn’t journey up on a entice recreation in opposition to a crew that had been formally relegated earlier within the week.

It was a kind of video games we’ve seen in 2026 the place Juventus did all the things proper besides rating extra targets than their opponent. At the least they didn’t lose, however a 1-1 draw in opposition to Hellas Verona, who might be taking part in in Serie B subsequent 12 months is just not going to chop it in a race like this. One elementary error gave Verona a surprising lead in opposition to the run of play, Juve dominated the stream of the sport, however solely hit the goal with seven out of 29 pictures, and of these solely a free kick by Dusan Vlahovic might get previous Verona’s Lorenzo Montipò. Admittedly, Montipò made a number of saves, together with two within the span of about 40 seconds, that had been of a high quality approaching the absurd, however to not have the ability to break via for 3 factors in opposition to such lowly opposition is an enormous missed alternative.

Now, with three video games left within the season, Juve are all of 1 level forward of Roma, who jumped Como into fifth place after totally destroying Fiorentina on Monday. They nonetheless management their very own future, however the margin for error is now zero as they head into subsequent week’s match in opposition to Lecce.

How did the gamers who hit the sector do on this disapoointing contest? Let’s take a more in-depth look.

MICHELE DI GREGORIO – 5. After doing a lot to redeem himself over the previous few weeks when Mattia Perin was injured, getting beat at his close to submit with a comparatively tame shot was actually a regression. He clearly assumed Kieron Bowie was going to go to the far submit and overcommitted, leaving him unable to regulate to maintain the ball out. It must be stated that he by no means ought to’ve needed to face that shot to start with, however it’s equally true that he actually ought to have saved it.

PIERRE KALULU – 6.5. Made a pair of tackles and as many key passes, together with a peach of a ball that Bremer simply missed flicking into the aim. Sturdy defensively and offensively as normal.

BREMER – 5. It’s unbelievable, as a result of he was taking part in so properly, and did play properly after, however his catastrophic error in leaving a easy go two yards in need of Kalulu to permit Verona to open the scoring cancels just about all the things else out. He hit the crossbar with a chic flicked header within the twenty sixth minute and had 5 interceptions, however his mind fart was the distinction between one level and three.

LLOYD KELLY – 6. Accomplished 91 p.c of his passes, together with 9 of 11 lengthy balls, and made a pair of tackles to associate with three pictures, one in all which was on the right track, albeit tame.

WESTON McKENNIE – 6. A typical day for Wes, making a pair of key passes and offering large worth together with his versatility, beginning as the correct wing-back earlier than kicking into the double pivot after Luciano Spalletti modified formation at halftime.

MANUEL LOCATELLI – 6. Touched the ball an unbelievable 136 occasions, and made a pair of key passes. Performed a key half in maintaining Verona beneath siege for a lot of the match.

ANDREA CAMBIASO – 6.5. The truth that we kinda noticed classic Cambiaso on this match is essentially misplaced within the shuffle of this recreation’s narrative, however he had on of his finest matches shortly. Dude had 5 key passes—together with not less than two that might’ve been assists however for the insane efforts of Montipò—and accomplished 96.4 p.c general. He additionally had a deal with and two interceptions and made no errors defensively. The place’s this been since November of 2024?

FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO – 7. It’s unbelievable that he didn’t rating right this moment. Of Juve’s seven pictures on the right track, he had three of them, and all had been denied by Montipò with saves that ranged from actually good to how-on-God’s-green-earth-did-he-just-do-that? He tied for the crew lead in dribbles and made 4 key passes as properly. Ought to’ve had a extra tangible reward for his efforts.

KENAN YILDIZ – 5.5. He’s clearly nonetheless not 100% with that knee. He was the co-leader in dribbles (3) and made two key passes, however that additional oomph gave the impression to be lacking. He’s gutting it out for the crew, however hasn’t been in a position to make an output but.

JONATHAN DAVID – 4.5. One other recreation the place he simply appeared a bit misplaced. He solely tried 16 passes all recreation, which is insane particularly contemplating he was moved into the No. 10 position at half. Didn’t hit the goal with both of his two pictures both.

DUSAN VLAHOVIC – 7. Got here on at halftime and gave the crew a critical shot within the arm together with his free kick aim. Every thing simply appeared extra harmful with him up entrance versus David.

FABIO MIRETTI – 5. An fascinating alternative for the following man off the bench, Miretti didn’t actually settle and was a non-factor bar a late shot that was proper at Montipò.

JÉRÉMIE BOGA – 6. Might’ve gained the sport on the again submit late on however had his shot blocked at point-blank vary. Put in a key go too.

TEUN KOOPMEINERS – NR. He was…there. Bodily current. Nothing else to say actually.

EDON ZHEGROVA – NR. Desperately unfortunate to be denied a late winner by Montipò’s one-handed parry onto the submit. Seemed shifty and was credited with two dribbles in simply 11 minutes of recreation time.

There’s valuable little Luciano Spalletti can do a few recreation like this besides hope that his subs begin taking higher pictures than the starters they changed. Vlahovic was actually the correct name, however Miretti and Koopmeiners each appeared barely suspect, and his remaining three subs got here a bit too late for my liking. His formation change was a good suggestion, and in principle having Vlahovic play off of a deeper David ought to work like gangbusters, however David’s kind proper now simply isn’t as much as snuff.

Other than telling his offensive gamers to get good on the subject of hitting the goal, there’s actually just one tangible factor that Spalletti can do within the remaining three video games to attempt to enhance the assault, and that’s placing Vlahovic within the beginning lineup. Now, whether or not that’s doable given Vlahovic’s bodily situation continues to be up within the air, however taking part in the total second half on Sunday was a great signal. He introduced a unique dynamic to the entrance line, and particularly appears extra succesful than David of shifting defenses out of alignment together with his motion. If he’s wholesome sufficient, he’s a must-start within the remaining three video games. If not, then frankly the false 9 with Boga on the prime may be a greater choice than beginning David at this level.

Three video games stay: away to Lecce, house to Fiorentina, and away to Torino. Juve might be favored in all three, however additionally they every current challenges. Lecce are combating to keep away from the ultimate spot within the drop zone, though their win on Friday coupled with Cremonese’s Monday defeat has given them some respiration room. Fiorentina are away from the relegation battle at this level, however you realize that they’d like to damage Juve’s day, and the Derby is the Derby.

The margins are razor-thin proper now. The likelihood exists that AC Milan, who’re quickly flatlining, proceed their slide sufficient to make two spots within the prime 4 obtainable as an alternative of simply the one, however that shouldn’t be counted upon. Juve management their future. Win three video games, go to the Champions League.