Italian giants Juventus failed to ride their high after a midweek 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League after a last-gasp 2-2 draw against bottom-dwelling Venezia at the Allianz Arena.

Scorers: Gatti 19′, Vlahović 90+5′ (pen); Ellertsson 61′, Idzes 83′

Though it may not be the season many Juventus supporters would have hoped for, tonight’s home clash against Venezia was no doubt viewed as a must-win fixture, with the expected opening goal coming in the 19th minute thanks to a tap-in by centre-back Federico Gatti.

Juventus almost seemed to take their foot completely off the gas despite the one-goal advantage and wealth of possession, however, heading into the halftime interval still up by just Gatti’s strike and Venezia pushing for an equalizer.

Despite Kenan Yıldız having a goal ruled out by VAR four minutes after the restart, early signs in the second half showed Thiago Motta’s La Vecchia Signora looked comfortable out in front. But Venezia had other ideas.

The visitors made Juve’s lack of a killer instinct on the night come home to roost when Icelandic international Mikael Egill Ellertsson leveled matters in the 61st minute after heading home from Francesco Zampano’s cross into the box.

It would go from bad to worse for Motta and Juventus seven minutes before the end of normal time when Venezia took a shock lead thanks to a headed effort from Indonesian defender Jay Idzes.

But it would be Juventus who ultimately pulled themselves out of the fire thanks to a stoppage-time effort from the penalty spot from Dušan Vlahović. The Serbian star took his record to four out of four from 12 yards for the season in the process.

This result sees Juve sit nine points adrift of Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, while Venezia boss Eusebio Di Francesco remains bottom of the Serie A table on goal difference.

📸 Valerio Pennicino – 2024 Getty Images