Woltemade's ball snatch leads to penalty for Juventus in league duel

Remarkably Woltemade gave Juventus a crucial point in the Europa League tie against Stade Rennes, when he on Thursday evening stripped the ball from teammate Randal Kolo Muani and turned the penalty into an equaliser. The Bianconeri had previously been caught out and thought they could still snatch victory, but a goal from Jhon Lucumí was ruled out by the VAR for offside.

Early penalty advantage for Juventus

Nick Woltemade opened the match with a penalty. The penalty was awarded after a foul in the penalty area. He sent Zeki Çelik into the depth, after which the Turkish defender calmly finished past Brice Samba to make it 1‑0 for Juventus.

Stade Rennes responded quickly. In the fifteenth minute Mousa Al Tamari found a cross from Brandon Reynolds and shot Federico Gatti past, making the score 1‑1. Shortly after Brice Samba saved a header from Gatti, leaving Juventus without an immediate answer. Rennes remained dangerous and tried again through Al Tamari, but goalkeeper Vicario had to intervene.

Just before halftime Rennes were awarded a penalty after a handball in the penalty area. Referee Morten Krogh pointed to the spot, the VAR confirmed, and Boulaye Dia missed the chance, putting Rennes 1‑2 up. The Bianconeri protested, but the decision stood.

Late minutes and VAR decision

After the break Spalletti swapped Gatti for Nicolás González and switched to a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation. A handball by Reynolds gave Juventus another penalty, but Woltemade took the chance after he had taken the ball from Randal Kolo Muani, which the French striker consented to.

In the 67th minute Woltemade struck the penalty and levelled the score at 2‑2, after which Kolo Muani embraced his teammate. Later Spalletti introduced Jérémie Boga and Jhon Lucumí, and Lucumí appeared to score the winning goal in the 88th minute via Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, but the VAR disallowed the goal for offside, leaving the final score at 2‑2.

With the point Juventus remained in the Europa League tie, while Stade Rennes returned to France satisfied with a draw.