Randal Kolo Muani rescues Juventus with late equaliser at Cagliari

Juventus avoided a surprise defeat at Cagliari as Randal Kolo Muani’s 81st-minute header secured a 1-1 draw in the sixth round of the Italian league on Sunday.

Cagliari had taken the lead through Daniel Maldini after 20 minutes, but Kolo Muani’s late intervention denied the hosts a fifth win in six matches. Juventus entered the game with three victories, one draw and one defeat, and were aiming to build on their 2-0 win over Atalanta before the international break.

Juventus started with early pressure, although Cagliari soon settled into the contest. Pape Sarr sent an effort over the crossbar in the ninth minute, while Nicolas Gonzalez missed a good opportunity six minutes later when he directed a close-range attempt wide from inside the area.

The home side took advantage in the 20th minute. Maldini broke down the left and followed up after his initial shot was blocked, with a touch from Paul Mendy returning the ball to him. The midfielder then found the net with a left-footed finish.

Weston McKennie was booked in the 17th minute, and although Juventus continued to see plenty of the ball, they struggled to create a clear opening before half-time. Cagliari went into the interval 1-0 ahead.

Luciano Spalletti made two changes at the start of the second half, sending on Edon Zhegrova and Kerim Alajbegovic for Francisco Conceicao and McKennie. Cagliari also introduced Alessandro Deiola, who replaced Juan Rodriguez.

The changes helped Juventus increase the pressure. Cagliari goalkeeper Caprile kept out a shot from Zhegrova in the 64th minute, but he was beaten 17 minutes later when Kolo Muani met a cross from substitute Alajbegovic with a header.

Kolo Muani almost completed the comeback four minutes later. He connected with another Alajbegovic delivery from close range, but the ball struck the crossbar before falling to Nick Woltemade. Caprile then saved Woltemade’s follow-up effort.

Caprile made another stop from a volley by Kolo Muani in the 88th minute, although the attempt was subsequently ruled offside. Cagliari still had a chance to regain the lead in stoppage time, but Alessandro Romano shot wide in the 90+1st minute after receiving the ball from a free-kick cleared by the Juventus defence.

Juventus appealed for a penalty two minutes later when Zhegrova went down inside the area, but the referee judged that the contact did not warrant a foul. Neither side could find a winner, and the match finished 1-1.