Verona’s fate was already sealed before a ball had even been kicked at the Allianz Stadium, after their relegation was confirmed with Lecce’s 2-1 victory over Pisa on Friday evening.
While the Gialloblù had little to play for, Juventus came into the contest in search of a win to boost their UEFA Champions League hopes.
As expected, the hosts dominated possession from the outset and created a couple of promising chances in the opening 30 minutes, with Francisco Conceição forcing Lorenzo Montipò into a smart save down low to his left, before Gleison Bremer powered a header against the frame of the goal.
There was a sense that it was only a matter of time until the deadlock was broken, and while that proved true, there was a collective sense of surprise felt around the stadium when it fell the way of the visitors.
Bremer’s misplaced pass gifted Domagoj Bradarić the opportunity to fizz in a low cross for Kieron Bowie to sweep in at the near post with Verona’s first shot on target.
With Juventus unable to respond before the break, Luciano Spalletti summoned Dušan Vlahović from the bench in an effort to inspire a turnaround.
The Serbian striker made the impact his manager desired just after the hour mark, whipping a stunning free-kick around the wall and out of the reach of Montipò’s despairing dive to net his first Serie A goal since October.
With momentum in the home side’s favour, Conceição threatened to put his team ahead midway through the second period when he drew two point-blank saves from Montipò in quick succession.
The shot-stopper made another vital save in stoppage time, pushing Edon Zhegrova’s low shot onto the post to take a point off Italy’s record champions, who remain in fourth spot but are nervously looking over their shoulder at Como and Roma.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dušan Vlahović (Juventus)