Juventus were held to an uneventful goalless draw by Sampdoria on Monday.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side were uninspired and failed to create much against a solid Samp at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa.
The closest they came to taking the points was when Adrien Rabiot’s low strike was correctly ruled out for offside, the France midfielder a starter after his move to Manchester United collapsed in the week.
Filip Kostic also forced a save from Emil Audero in stoppage time but that was about it from a team aiming to make a league title charge after finishing way behind champions AC Milan last term.
Juve were missing the injured Angel Di Maria and they lacked the stardust which the Argentina winger brought to the team in their season-opener win over Sassuolo last week.
Their sole decent opportunity in the first half was created by a bursting run in the 15th minute from Juan Cuadrado, who however could only shoot straight at Emil Audero in the Samp goal with Dusan Vlahovic to his right.
Vlahovic barely had a touch in the first 45 minutes and was livid with the Colombian for not passing.
The Serb started the second period brighter, however, flashing a shot wide and claiming in vain for a penalty when clashing with the excellent Omar Colley.
He thought he had set up Juve’s opener when Rabiot met his pass with a perfect low finish, but after awarding the goal referee Rosario Abisso then ruled the goal out for Vlahovic straying offside following after a VAR check.
Substitute Fabio Quagliarella almost made it a fairytale ending for Samp when he flashed a snap shot wide with a minute left on the clock, but Audero kept out Kostic’s scuffed volley and both sides had to settle for a point.
AFP
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