An uninspiring performance from Juventus saw them held to a goalless draw at Sampdoria as they failed to make it two Serie A wins from two.
Though both sides had chances to win a well-balanced game – with Juventus coming closest on a couple of occasions – neither convinced in the final third, and a goalless draw reflects that lack of inspiration.
While the hosts were disciplined and dug in well to preserve a point, their visitors from Turin leave Liguria frustrated by a disjointed display.
Though a whole host of absentees meant their squad was depleted. In summary: not a classic.
Starting lineup:
SAMPDORIA (4-1-4-1): Emil Audero;
Bartosz Bereszynski, Omar Colley, Alex Ferrari, Tommaso Augello;
Ronaldo Vieira; Mehdi Leris, Tomas Rincon, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Filip Djuricic;
Francesco Caputo.
SUBS: Nikita Contini, Nicola Ravaglia, Gerard Yepes, Fabio Depaoli, Lorenzo Malagrida, Valerio Verre, Fabio Quagliarella, Nicola Murru, Jeison Murillo, Manolo Gabbiadini, Maxime Leverbe, Gonzalo Villar.
JUVENTUS (4-3-3): Mattia Perin;
Danilo, Daniele Rugani, Bremer, Alex Sandro;
Adrien Rabiot, Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie;
Juan Cuadrado, Dusan Vlahovic, Filip Kostic.
SUBS: Carlo Pinsoglio, Giovanni Garofani, Matias Soule, Federico Gatti, Mattia De Sciglio, Denis Zakaria, Nicolo Fagioli, Moise Kean, Leonardo Bonucci, Nicolo Rovella, Fabio Miretti.
What does it mean? Toothless Juve lacks spark
Though early in the season, the visitors will be disappointed to miss out on maximum points after starting with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo, and they could have no complaints.
Samp is up and running after keeping Juve at bay in a forgettable contest.
Kostic fails to deliver
Kostic made his Serie A full debut after his move from Eintracht Frankfurt, but he struggled to make an impact. The Serbia international lost possession 16 times, the most of any visiting player.
Colossal Colley
Omar Colley was a key part of the hosts’ rigid backline with a team-high four clearances.
While he also won possession five times. The centre-back also won 66.7 per cent of his duels.
So, what’s next?
Having taken four points from their first two fixtures, Juve’s successive Serie A outing comes at home to potential top-four rivals Roma at the weekend.
While Samp travels south to take on Salernitana, still looking for their first league goal of the 2022-23 campaign.
