Kolo Muani Strikes in Stoppage Time as Juventus Beat Celta Vigo 2-1
Randal Kolo Muani scored in the 91st minute to give Juventus a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in the Europa League, after Nick Woltemade had equalized earlier in the second half. The result keeps Juventus unbeaten in the competition.
Juventus arrived at Estadio Balaidos as the Europa League leaders after a 5-0 win over NEC, but their domestic form has dipped, including a 1-1 draw at Cagliari in Serie A. They also remain without several players, with Kenan Yildiz, Jeremie Boga, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Jeff Ekhator, Kamil Grabara and Arek Milik all sidelined. Celta Vigo lost their opening match to Omonia Nicosia and were missing Borja Iglesias, Pablo Duran, Jones El-Abdellaoui, Carl Starfelt and Miguel Roman.
The last meeting between the clubs produced a memorable result. In March 2000, Celta Vigo won 4-0 at home in the UEFA Cup Round of 16, overturning a 1-0 first-leg defeat. Antonio Conte and Paolo Montero were both sent off in the first half of that match.
Celta took the lead in the 18th minute with a well-worked team goal. The move passed from right to left before Willot Swedberg laid the ball off for Hugo Alvarez, who tapped in at the back post. Earlier, a Swedberg header had gone straight at Guglielmo Vicario.
Juventus struggled to create chances in the first half. Teun Koopmeiners headed straight at the goalkeeper, and he later failed to control a Pierre Kalulu pull-back from 10 yards. Koopmeiners also got in the way of a Kerim Alajbegovic strike, while Woltemade blasted over after letting a long ball bounce in the box.
Woltemade saw another effort charged down at the near post just after the restart. Celta goalkeeper Radu then pushed a Francisco Conceicao strike over the bar, and the Portugal international fired another shot straight at him from the resulting corner.
Juventus equalized in the 58th minute. Koopmeiners whipped in a cross from the left, and Marcos Alonso clumsily chested the ball down, setting up Woltemade to sweep it in from 12 yards.
Celta threatened on the counter-attack. Rueda only hit the side-netting from a Jutgla slide-rule pass, and Kalulu got back to block Jutgla. Pape Malang Sarr failed to capitalize on another poor Alonso clearance, and Nico Gonzalez came close for Celta, bending a left-foot effort inches wide after twisting and turning inside the box.
Juventus found the winner deep into added time. Andrea Cambiaso sent a cross in from the left, and Kolo Muani got between defenders to nod home at the back post from point-blank range.
After the match, Woltemade described it as his best game for Juventus and said he enjoys playing alongside Kolo Muani. Kolo Muani said Juventus are better when Woltemade is on the pitch because it gives him more freedom.