Juventus slipped up on the chance to wrap up the Serie A title as they fell to struggling Udinese despite going ahead first in what boss, Maurizio Sarri, called a “messy” defeat.
Juve, who have been Italian champions for exactly 3,000 days, need to win one of their final three games to win their ninth title in a row.
They led through a long-range Matthijs de Ligt’s powerful drive.
But Ilija Nestorovski headed in an equaliser before Seko Fofana’s scored the brilliant winner in injury time.
As Juve pushed for a winner, Fofana ran from the halfway line, beat Alex Sandro for pace before cutting inside De Ligt, and slotting the ball under Wojciech Szczesny.
“We paid for a lack of order after a good first half,” says Sarri, whose future is reportedly in doubt.
“We wanted to win at all costs, we were messy and we took the game on a dangerous track and lost it on 93 minutes because we wanted the three points.
“At this stage of the season, it is difficult, we are all tired. We have lost aggression.
” It’s complicated to stay mentally and physically on the ball for 90 minutes. The games are strange and the momentum changes very easily. The mental fatigue is more than physical fatigue.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn’t find the back of the Udinese net has, however, been overtaken by Lazio striker Ciro Immobile in the golden boot race. Immobile scored his 31st goal of the season in Lazio’s 2-1 win over Cagliari to take him one above Ronaldo’s total.
Juventus only need three points to seal an unprecedented ninth consecutive Serie A title – but they are out of form.
They have only won one of their past five Serie A games, but the three teams below them – Atalanta, Inter Milan, and Lazio – have also all dropped points recently.
Sarri is hoping to win the first league title of his career as Juventus could be crowned champions before their next match if their rivals lose their weekend matches.
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