MILAN (AP) – Juventus forward Jonathan David’s penalty was saved as the Bianconeri held to an unexpected 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Lecce in Serie A on Saturday.
Weston McKennie canceled out Lamek Banda’s shock opener for Lecce and David gave his side a chance to take the lead in the 66th minute, but his poor penalty was saved by Vladimiro Falcone.
The points move Juventus level with fourth-placed Roma, who will then play at Atalanta and aim to move to second-placed Inter Milan in Serie A.
Lecce are five points above the relegation zone.
Earlier, Como beat Udinese 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Lucas da Cunha, moving them within three points of the top four.
A moment of silence was observed for the victims before kick-off at every Serie A match this weekend. Fire at Crans-Montana bar.
Juventus almost took the lead early on, but Falcone managed to get a header from David and the ball rolled over the line, bounced off the post and back into the hands of the grateful goalkeeper.
Juventus had the upper hand and created many chances, but Lecce took an unexpected lead in first-half stoppage time.
There appeared to be little danger when Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso rolled the ball towards teammate Pierre Carles, but the ball lacked power and Banda rushed to intercept it, before evading two opponents and firing into the near corner.
Juventus equalized just after the break when McKennie touched a cross, ran into the area and in front of the goal, controlled the return pass from Kenan Yildiz and scored the goal.
It was McKennie’s first goal in Serie A this season, but the American international has scored twice in the Champions League.
Lecce midfielder Mohamed Kaba blocked David’s shot with his arm, giving Juventus a penalty and a chance to take the lead. David stepped up, but the Canadian forward’s penalty was central and weak and saved by Falcone.
David almost made up for his mistake in the closing stages, but his ferocious blow was brilliantly saved by Falcone. In stoppage time of the second half, when Juventus had their goal occupied, Yildiz hit the post.
relegation battle
Genoa drew 1-1 with Pisa, making it a happy relegation battle for both sides.
Pisa midfielder Mehdi Lelis scored the equalizer in chaotic circumstances just before the end of the first half, canceling out a scream from Lorenzo Colombo.
Genoa, who occupy safe last place, are three points behind Pisa and Hellas Verona after playing two fewer games.
Parma drew 1-1 with mid-table Sassuolo, six points above the drop zone.
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