Turin’s Allianz Stadium was left with more unease than relief as Juventus drew 2-2 with Rennes, recovering from a difficult first half but failing to turn late pressure into a victory. Luciano Spalletti’s side showed more response than they had in the weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Lazio, yet the result still extended the questions around a team unable to make its home momentum count.
Juventus made the ideal start inside five minutes. Nick Woltemade released Çelik into space and the Turkish player beat Steve Mandanda’s replacement, Brice Samba, in the one-on-one to give the hosts an early advantage. Rennes did not allow the stadium to settle, though. Al-Tamari levelled in the 15th minute, and the Italian side gradually lost their authority over the match.
The visitors from Brittany made that uncertainty costly before the interval. Boulaye Dia, formerly of Villarreal, converted a penalty to put Rennes ahead, leaving Juventus to begin the second half facing another uncomfortable turnaround.
Woltemade supplies the route back
Spalletti found a greater attacking spark after introducing Nico González. The Argentine brought direct running and urgency to Juventus’s play, helping shift the contest closer to the Rennes penalty area. His leap led to a handball decision, and Woltemade converted the resulting spot kick in the 67th minute to restore parity.
The German forward remained Juventus’s most reliable outlet thereafter. Long balls repeatedly went towards him, and he regularly won the aerial contests, allowing the home side to build attacks higher up the pitch and keep Rennes under sustained pressure.
Juventus pushed through the closing stages in pursuit of a winner, but Rennes held on. Lucumí appeared to have struck in added time, only for the goal to be ruled out. The final whistle therefore brought a draw rather than the comeback Spalletti had sought, with the Turin side left to reflect on another frustrating night after their heavy loss to Lazio.
