Juve’s run of draws continues with 1-1 stalemate at Atalanta
BERGAMO, Italy : Juventus were held yet again as they drew 1-1 at Atalanta in Serie A on Tuesday, with Pierre Kalulu's early second-half goal cancelled out by a late equaliser from Mateo Retegui.
The result brings Juve's total number of league draws to 13 from 20 matches so far, keeping them in fifth place with 34 points. Atalanta, also on a three-match run of draws, remain third with 43, four points behind leaders Napoli.
Kalulu scored nine minutes after the interval, finishing Weston McKennie's pass into the box by sliding the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi at the near post.
However, Atalanta built momentum and substitute Retegui, returning from injury, levelled with a diving header from Raoul Bellanova's assist in the 78th minute.
Despite the draw both sides posted some positive records, with Atalanta remaining unbeaten in 15 Serie A games for the second time in their history.
Juve manager Thiago Motta, who watched from the stands after receiving a red card in Saturday's derby against Torino, is also the second Juve manager to remain unbeaten in his first 20 Serie A matches following in the footsteps of Antonio Conte.
Atalanta had more possession in the first half but it was a mostly dull affair as both sides probed without taking chances.
Juve's best opportunity came just before the break when former Atalanta player Teun Koopmeiners stretched to get on the end of a cross but Carnesecchi was able to clear the danger.
AGGRESSIVE JUVE
Juve came out aggressively after the break and nearly took the lead when Kalulu's header from a corner struck the post and rolled along the line before Carnesecchi cleared.
The ball then fell to Juve's Khephren Thuram, whose blocked attempt sparked a counter-attack for Atalanta,