Ludovic Blas’ timely strike saw Nantes come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Juventus in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) knockout round play-off.
Though left disappointed against one of Ligue 1’s draw specialists, I Bianconeri remain unbeaten at home in the competition.
The pressure was firmly on Juventus ahead of this tie, with the UEL trophy being their likeliest key to a UEFA Champions League (UCL) return, after a 15-point deduction in Serie A left them well adrift of the top-four.
However, Massimiliano Allegri’s men didn’t show that they were feeling any pressure, and confidently took a 13th-minute lead when Ángel Di María’s exquisite pass found Federico Chiesa, who nodded the ball across for Dušan Vlahović to nonchalantly complete a move of devastating brilliance from I Bianoneri’s front three.
Les Canaris were caged in their own half for large periods as Juventus’ stronghold on proceedings continued. Lafont undeniably kept them in the game ahead of the break, dealing with Di María’s outrageous strike, Andrei Girotto’s miscued clearance and Leandro Paredes’ free-kick.
Surprisingly though, Nantes re-emerged after HT with far greater intent and got their reward on the hour mark.
When Juventus had a penalty shout turned down, the Ligue 1 side raced forward to get Blas in front of goal, and their talisman fired in his third goal in four across all competitions.
Juventus thought their response was equally as swift, but Nicolas Pallois’ sensational block sent Chiesa’s strike cannoning off the crossbar and post, before the ball fell into Lafont’s grateful arms.
A corner delivery from Di María also hit the woodwork soon after, but far from take this as a cue to sit back for a draw, Antoine Kombouaré’s newly-inspired side pushed forward for a shock winner.
That approach nearly paid massive dividends too, as Samuel Moutoussamy’s ambitious shot sailed agonisingly wide, while Jean-Charles Castelletto put in a superb last-ditch tackle on Adrien Rabiot late on when the inevitable counters flew at Nantes.
Following a VAR check, Nantes escaped a penalty call in the final seconds due to Gleison Bremer pushing Fabien Centonze before the Brazilian’s header hit his hand, as the Ligue 1 side’s first knockout stage match in over 20 years ended in a well-earned draw, giving Les Canaris a chance of progression at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
Meanwhile, Juventus’ European frustrations continue, following their worst-ever UCL group stage performance, while tonight’s result itself means that both sides remain unbeaten in four matches across all competitions.
