Juventus lose 3-2 to Sassuolo as Adzic scores 94th-minute winner

Juventus suffered a defeat as cruel as it was avoidable on Sunday against Sassuolo. Vasilije Adzic, the player loaned by the Turin club to the neroverdi this summer, scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute to cap an absolutely frantic second half in which the Bianconeri briefly dreamed of a comeback thanks to a brace from Zhegrova.

• Vasilije Adzic, on loan from Juventus to Sassuolo, scored the decisive 3-2 in the 94th minute.
• Zhegrova led the Bianconeri reaction with two second-half goals.
• Esposito and Bowie also found the net for Sassuolo in a game full of twists.
• Juventus pushed hard for the win in the closing minutes and left the defence exposed on the final play.
• Berardi, the Sassuolo captain, delivered a complete performance and came close to scoring on several occasions.

Juventus vs Sassuolo match summary: goals and key moments

The game started at a furious pace with chances for both sides. Nico Gonzalez rattled the crossbar and Berardi showed his usual danger in the opposition box, but neither team found any real accuracy during the opening 45 minutes. The break arrived with the score still level despite plenty of space appearing on both wings.

All the finishing that was missing in the first half came flooding back in a pulsating second period, the kind that leaves neutral spectators breathless. Sassuolo struck first, Juventus responded twice, and the outcome ended up rewarding the team that knew how to punish its rival's constant defensive lapses.

Zhegrova shines with two goals but Juventus fall short

The Kosovar winger came on in the second half and changed the direction of the match. From his very first touches it was clear he was having a special night, producing a couple of high-level dribbles that lifted the crowd. Zhegrova became the perfect partner for Alajbegovic, who had been far too isolated despite his constant threat down the left flank.

His first goal arrived in the 82nd minute after sustained Bianconeri pressure on the Sassuolo area. Muric was flawless between the posts for long stretches, but he could do nothing about the Kosovar's feint and subsequent finish. With the game level, Juventus felt superior and went looking for the win... and that is when their nightmare began.

Sassuolo punish Juventus defensive mistakes in Serie A clash

A poor positional outing from Bremer left Bowie completely unmarked for the Sassuolo player to put his team ahead again in the 89th minute. It was a heavy blow, but Zhegrova was not ready to give up: with a superb left-footed strike he levelled the match again in the 91st minute and sparked wild celebrations in Turin.

Juventus, with plenty of young players on the pitch, were guilty of excessive ambition. They threw everything forward in search of a third goal and completely neglected the back line. On the final play of the match, Adzic found himself running at goal with no defenders in front of him and beat the goalkeeper to seal the 3-2. A cruel ending for the Bianconeri and a memorable victory for Sassuolo.

Adzic, the loanee who broke Juventus hearts at 94 minutes

The name Vasilije Adzic will sting in much of Turin for some time. Loaned by Juventus to Sassuolo this summer, the player was the one who punished his parent club with a stoppage-time goal. The irony is unmistakable: a player owned by the Old Lady ended up handing victory to the opponent on one of those nights football insists on making unforgettable.

Berardi also deserves a mention. The Sassuolo captain came close to scoring on several occasions in the rival box and once again showcased his quality. Esposito, meanwhile, delivered an exquisite performance and made no mistake when he found himself alone inside the area to open the scoring in the 65th minute.

What this defeat means for Juventus in the Serie A table

The setback leaves Juventus in a tricky position in the Serie A standings. Every point is precious in the race for European places, and throwing away the game twice before losing in the final breath is a significant psychological blow. The lack of defensive solidity in the closing minutes once again proved costly for a team that had found a much sharper attacking version in the second half.

Sassuolo, for their part, pick up a statement victory that strengthens their project. The collective display from the neroverdi, with Berardi, Esposito and Adzic as standout names, shows this side can compete toe to toe with anyone when they find space to run.