Juventus Held by Rennes in 2-2 Europa League Draw at Allianz Stadium

Juventus found a response after the defeat to Lazio, but not the victory Luciano Spalletti wanted. A turbulent Europa League evening at the Allianz Stadium ended 2-2 with Rennes, leaving the Bianconeri on seven points after three matches of the league phase and with the feeling that a late winner had slipped away.

A match that swung before settling

1. Juventus made an assertive start and went ahead in the fifth minute. Woltemade released Celik, who timed his run well and finished for 1-0.
2. Rennes levelled after 15 minutes. Reynolds met a cross from the left and directed the ball into the middle, where Al-Taamari turned it past Vicario.
3. The home side came close to restoring its lead around the half-hour mark. Samba saved McKennie’s first effort and the American then struck the post from the rebound. Earlier, Samba had also denied Gatti from close range, while Kolo Muani headed a McKennie delivery off target.
4. Rennes took control of the scoreline shortly before the interval. Douglas Luiz was penalised for handling Nagida’s shot, with the VAR confirming the decision, and Boulaye Dia sent Vicario the wrong way from the spot in the 43rd minute.
5. Spalletti made a forced interval change, bringing on Kalulu for Celik after the scorer reported a thigh problem. Kalulu soon headed narrowly wide and later required a substantial bandage after an aerial collision.
6. Al-Taamari threatened again early in the second half, but Vicario was alert at his near post. Juventus then brought on Nico Gonzalez for Gatti on the hour.
7. The hosts earned their own penalty in the 65th minute when Reynolds handled a Nico Gonzalez header. VAR upheld the referee’s call, and Woltemade converted centrally to bring Juventus level two minutes later.
8. Both teams pushed for the decisive goal. Vicario came out well amid danger in the Juventus area, while Woltemade was twice close with headers and Koopmeiners tested Samba from distance.
9. Juventus thought they had won it in the 88th minute, when Lucumí scored in a crowded area after a corner, with a deflection from Aït Boudlal also involved. Following an on-field review, however, the goal was ruled out for offside.
10. Rennes replaced Al-Taamari, Dia and Thomasson with Mayenda, Soumaré and Szymanski, while Juventus introduced Boga and Lucumí for Kolo Muani and Kelly, before Alajbegovic replaced Cambiaso in stoppage time. Eight added minutes brought no further breakthrough.

Spalletti sees progress but no relief

The draw came after a difficult few days around Juventus, with Spalletti acknowledging before kick-off that the team had needed to clear its mind after the Lazio loss. He said discussions with the players had produced encouraging answers, but insisted that the pitch would be the real test.

The coach also spoke about the need for decisions to suit the players available: the level and timing of the press, when to confront opponents and how to balance players more willing to sacrifice with those capable of producing the unexpected. His point was that confidence matters at Juventus, where the shirt carries weight and the supporters’ frustration is never far away.

After the final whistle, Spalletti said Juventus had raised their level, though he remained only partly satisfied. He praised the referee’s overall performance but questioned the decision surrounding Lucumí’s disallowed goal. His wider message remained one of vigilance: the result did not remove the pressure around the bench.

Before the match, Juventus chief executive Carnevali had also backed Spalletti, saying the coach understood his responsibilities and that it was natural for the Juventus job to carry intense scrutiny. He argued that the club could not change direction every time results turned negative.

Players take the point forward

Woltemade, who had started alongside Kolo Muani, explained that he had politely asked his strike partner for the chance to take the penalty and was given permission. The German said Juventus had to keep believing and fighting after Lazio, adding that the team had tried everything to win.

He also said he regretted not finding a third goal late on, but felt his own performance had been played in the right spirit. On Kolo Muani, Woltemade described the forward as a strong striker who can score and create room for those around him, expressing hope that their partnership can produce many goals.

Koopmeiners believed Juventus deserved to win on the basis of the second half and was disappointed by the overturned Lucumí effort. At the same time, he said the side must examine the goals it conceded. The Dutch midfielder said he was giving everything to help the team, accepted that he can improve, and repeated that the performance against Lazio had not been acceptable.

Vicario called the result bitter, arguing that Juventus had produced enough after the interval to take all three points. He praised the side’s reaction and its desire, while admitting that Rennes were physical opponents and that Juventus had lacked clarity at certain moments. For him, the difference lay in small details that now need to turn in Juventus’ favour.

Line-ups at the Allianz Stadium

Juventus now turn back towards Serie A and the visit of Lecce. The Rennes draw did not provide the clean release Spalletti and his players had sought, but it did offer a more determined display from a side trying to recover its rhythm over a long season.