Sassuolo 3-2 Juventus: Three Late Goals Give Hosts a Wild Finish

Sassuolo defeated Juventus 3-2 at Mapei Stadium on Sunday, September 13, securing a dramatic Serie A victory in Regular Season Round 4. Juventus had more possession and more attempts, but Sassuolo converted the decisive chances in a frantic final period.

Late goals decide an open contest

The match remained goalless until the 65th minute, when Sebastiano Esposito put Sassuolo ahead with an assist from Nemanja Matić. Juventus responded through Edon Zhegrova, who levelled in the 82nd minute after replacing Francisco Conceicao in the 60th.

The closing stages produced three goals. Kieron Bowie restored Sassuolo’s lead in the 89th minute, finishing a move set up by D. Bakola. Zhegrova struck again in the 90th, assisted by Randal Kolo Muani, to make it 2-2. Sassuolo immediately answered once more, with V. Adzic scoring in the 90th minute from A. Lauriente’s assist to settle the match.

Juventus held the territorial edge

The statistics showed Juventus controlling more of the ball, with 55% possession compared with Sassuolo’s 45%. Luciano Spalletti’s side also registered 18 total shots to Sassuolo’s 10, nine corners to three and 478 passes to 393. Juventus had eight shots on target, two more than the hosts.

Those numbers did not translate into the result. Sassuolo’s six goalkeeper saves, compared with three for Juventus, helped the home side withstand the visitors’ greater attacking volume. Juventus also recorded the higher expected-goals figure, 1.00 to 0.67, making the 3-2 scoreline a clear contrast with the overall chance profile.

Discipline and changes shape the second half

Juventus defender J. Lucumi was booked in the 20th minute and replaced by L. Kelly at half-time. Sassuolo’s L. Lipani received a yellow card in the 48th minute before making way for D. Bakola in the 55th. Douglas Luiz was booked in the 76th, while F. Leysen saw yellow in the 90th.

Sassuolo also introduced Bowie and B. Dominguez in the 71st minute, with Bowie making an immediate scoring impact late in the game.

Zhegrova shines despite Juventus defeat

Zhegrova was the standout performer by rating, earning 9.5 after 34 minutes on the pitch. His two goals, two shots on target and three key passes drove Juventus’ comeback, but Sassuolo’s final response denied the visitors a point.

Sassuolo entered the match 12th with four points from three games and now move to seven points after their first home win of this campaign. Juventus began seventh on seven points and leave with their first defeat, still on seven points after three victories or draws in their opening three matches.