How Parma Teenager Giovanni Leoni Foiled Disappointing Juventus

There was plenty of nostalgia to be had at the Stadio Tardini on Wednesday evening, but Juventus were left ruing yet another present day disappointment as they ultimately lost 0-1.

Hosts Parma welcomed the Bianconeri to a venue that saw the two sides go head-to-head for major trophies throughout the 1990s, with former striker Hernan Crespo among the VIP guests.

The Argentina native remains the club’s all-time leading goal scorer and won three trophies during a four-year stint, subsequently moving on to even greater successes. That included a spell with Inter where finally enjoyed lifting the Serie A trophy alongside Christian Chivu, who is now the Coach of Parma.

Juventus and Parma’s new bosses

Brought in in February to help the Crociati avoid relegation back to Serie B, Chivu won his first game at the helm, lost his second and then oversaw a run of five consecutive draws before facing off against Juve.

Standing in the opposite technical area, Igor Tudor’s task is at the other end of the table, charged with a mission to secure a top four finish and the lucrative UEFA Champions League revenue that comes with it.

That is vital for a Juventus side who are currently in talks with potential new shirt sponsors for the 2025/26 campaign – as discussed in this previous column – and results had certainly taken an upturn since Tudor’s arrival.

Wins over Genoa and Lecce came either side of a draw away at AS Roma, marking an impressive return given the hugely disappointing end to Thiago Motta’s tenure on the Bianconeri bench.

A disappointing night for Juventus

However, despite making some important tactical changes, Tudor’s side seemed to fall into the same familiar pattern that doomed his predecessor. Lacking invention in attack and failing to create clear cut scoring opportunities, they were made to look extremely ordinary by a relegation-threatened opponent.

According to statistics from WhoScored.com, Juve dominated the ball with 65.9% of possession but managed just two shots on target in the 90+ minutes of action while Parma managed three.

That included a towering header from Mateo Pellegrino just before halftime, the 23-year-old rising above his marker to meet Emanuele Valenti’s cross and give Parma a lead to defend after the break.

Well organised, compact and resolute, the home side defended deep, allowing Juve to play the ball in front of them but denying them time and space to penetrate and threaten their goal.

Giovanni Leoni foils Juventus

When they did make it into the box, an eye-catching performance from teenage defender Giovanni Leoni, who WhoScored shows finished the game with 3 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 clearances.

The 18-year-old also blocked two shots, won three aerial duels and connected with 40 passes with an 87.5% completion rate in just the 10th Serie A start of his fledgling career.

“I just did what I always do,” a delighted Leoni said in a post-match interview with DAZN. “We prepared for the match for more than a week, but I am very proud of the team. I will continue to do what I have always done.”

Already linked with a summer move to Turin, he is certainly one to keep an eye on, with his own manager insisting there is more to come.

“Leoni, like the whole team, must keep his feet on the ground and continue to work,” said Chivu. “Today he played a great game, he doesn’t seem so young, but he has significant room for improvement. He deserves the compliments and the MVP award but I have to be the coach and I will also point out the mistakes he made”.

The Bianconeri will have been impressed as he repeatedly helped Parma to repel their attacks and hold on to their narrow lead. Overall, the 0-1 defeat was hugely disappointing for Juventus, who now sit fifth in the table, one point away from the fourth place they so desperately crave.