Pockets 4 Out Of 10 For The Match Report Card Against Udinese, Szczesny's Position Is In Danger Of Being Shifted By Perin

Wojciech Szczesny (Instagram @ wojciech.szczesny1)

JAKARTA - Wojciech Szczesny became the subject of the Italian media and was accused of being the culprit behind Juventus' 2-2 draw against Udinese in the opening weekend of the Italian League 2021/22 at the Dacia Arena, last Sunday.

Reported by Antara from Football Italia, at least three Italian newspapers namely La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport gave Szczesny a 4 out of 10 score for the report card.

In fact, La Gazzetta dello Sport did not hesitate to say Mattia Perin, Juventus' reserve goalkeeper, should immediately be prepared to replace Szczesny in guarding the Old Lady's goal.

FT | ️ | Our opening day ends in a draw. #UdineseJuve #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/bSAG3xWXNm

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 22, 2021

The rain of criticism directed at Szczesny could not be separated from his role for the two equalizer goals scored by Udinese, even though Juve had previously been 2-0 up thanks to goals from Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado.

In the 50th minute, Szczesny failed to fully anticipate Tolgay Arslan's long-range shot and his attempt to save the ball ended with him breaking the Udinese midfielder's fall for the hosts.

The penalty kick was converted successfully by former Juve player, Roberto Pereyra, to reduce Udinese 1-2.

Then seven minutes before normal dispersal, Szczesny made a fatal mistake while making an improvised dribble but failed to outwit Stefano Okaka and sent the ball down in front of Gerard Deulofeu who only had to slot it into the no-man's net to make it 2-2.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who started the match from the bench, actually managed to find the net in injury time but headed in Federico Chiesa's cross. But Juve's celebration ended with the goal being ruled out for offside by VAR.

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri did not want to blame Szczesny for his two mistakes, but he said the Polish keeper should not be ashamed to throw the ball off the pitch when the pressure was on him.

This result makes Juventus temporarily in eighth position in the Italian League standings with one point.

Juve will next host promoted Empoli at the Allianz Stadium, Saturday, August 28 next week.