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Celik and Woltemade score in Stade Rennais draw
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- Celik and Woltemade score in Stade Rennais draw
Celik and Woltemade score in Stade Rennais draw
The Men's First Team drew 2-2 with Stade Rennais on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Europa League, with Zeki Celik and Nick Woltemade scoring.
The result means that the Bianconeri remain unbeaten in the League Phase so far this season.
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THE MATCH REPORT
The evening at the Allianz Stadium got off to a promising start for the Bianconeri, with the first flash of brilliance coming as early as the 4th minute, following a well-worked team move. Weston McKennie cleverly laid the ball off for Nick Woltemade, who struck it first time towards the far post, only to see his effort go wide of the target.
However, the excellent start was duly rewarded shortly afterwards and, in the 5th minute, Juve took the lead thanks to a superb pass from Woltemade who picked out Zeki Celik's run. The full-back entered the penalty area, controlled the ball perfectly and, with a clinical right-footed shot across goal, beat Brice Samba to make it 1–0.
In the 15th minute, Rennais equalised through a deflection by Musa Al-Taamari, making it 1–1. In the 19th minute, Luciano Spalletti's side came very close to regaining the lead. Following a corner, Teun Koopmeiners crossed into the box for Federico Gatti, who rose to meet it with a header aimed at the far post, but Samba stretched to make a diving save, denying the Bianconeri defender the joy of scoring. Just as the first half seemed to be heading for a draw, the visitors took the lead through a penalty from Boulaye Dia.
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In the second half, the Bianconeri returned to the pitch with determination, and their pressure paid off midway through the half. Following a free-kick, Nico Gonzalez got his head to the ball well, but it was blocked by the arm of an opposing defender. The referee had no doubts that it was a penalty, and in the 66th minute, Woltemade stepped up to take it. He kept his cool and, with a strike down the middle, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2–2.
Juventus pushed forward and in the 70th minute, a fine through ball from Nico Gonzalez set up McKennie, who skillfully played the ball straight back into the centre for Woltemade; however, the Bianconeri striker's first-time shot was blocked by Charlie Cresswell.
Five minutes later, another aerial challenge by Woltemade nearly resulted in a brace, but a deflection sent the ball out for a corner. In the closing stages, Juventus gave it their all, even scoring a third goal through Jhon Lucumi, but it was ruled out for offside by VAR. The match at the Allianz Stadium ended 2–2.
