Nigerian striker, Gift Orban scored from the penalty spot to help Hellas Verona upset Serie A giants, Juventus in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, ending the Bianconeri’s perfect start to the season.
Orban converted a 44th-minute penalty after a handball by Joao Mario to cancel out Francisco Conceicao’s opener and deny Juventus all three points at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Juventus had taken the lead in the 19th minute through Conceicao, who was making his first appearance since suffering a muscle injury earlier this month. The Portuguese winger picked up Khephren Thuram’s pass and cut in from the right, dribbling past two Verona players before finishing with his left foot from the edge of the box.
However, the visitors’ three-match winning streak came to an end when Mario’s handball in the box set up the hosts’ equaliser. Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio got his hand on Orban’s penalty kick, but the deflected ball still went into the net.
Verona thought they had taken the lead when captain Suat Serdar found the net with a header in the 67th minute, but a VAR review ruled him offside.
Despite the dropped points, Juventus moved into sole possession of first place in Serie A, one point ahead of defending champions Napoli, who host promoted Pisa on Monday.
For Orban, the goal marked his first for Verona after an impressive yet goalless performance in his debut against Cremonese on Monday. The Nigerian was a constant threat throughout the match, shooting from a variety of ranges.
The result gave Verona their third draw in four league matches as they continue their search for their first win of the season.
Earlier on Saturday, Bologna came from a goal down to beat visiting Genoa 2-1 with a penalty kick from Riccardo Orsolini nine minutes into stoppage time.
Credit: punchng.com
