MILAN — Juventus was held to a 2-2 draw at Atalanta Friday after a rare defensive mix-up by the Serie A leader allowed the host to snatch a late equalizer.
Dani Alves appeared to have won the game for Juventus when he headed them in front in the 83rd minute but Remo Freuler pounced to equalize six minutes later as he punished some sloppy defending.
Juventus, which moved nine points clear of AS Roma, has one of the strongest defenses in Europe and has conceded only 22 goals in the league all season in 34 games.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was more angry at his team for pouring forward to try to grab a late winner than for the earlier mistakes they made.
“We conceded two goals after making mistakes, the sort of mistakes which shouldn’t happen but the lads are human,” he said.
“The important thing is to stay calm. Once it was 2-2, we charged forward looking for the third and we risked throwing everything away. Points (not just wins) are important as well.”
Fifth-placed Atalanta has been one of the surprise packages in Serie A this season, losing only three times at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia stadium, and it gave Juve a hard time as expected.
Juventus twice escaped after mistakes by defender Giorgio Chiellini set up the host but there was no let-off when Andrea Conti forced Alejandro Gomez’s cross over the line on the stroke of halftime.
The Turin side equalized six minutes after halftime when Miralem Pjanic’s free kick flew across the face of the goal and was turned into his own net by Leonardo Spinazzola at the far post.
Atalanta goalkeeper Etrit Berisha twice denied Sami Khedira with excellent saves before Alves got in front of his marker to meet Pjanic’s long ball at the far post with a diving header and give Juventus the lead.
Juve’s usually impregnable defense let them down when Pjanic and Stephan Lichtsteiner collided while trying to clear and the ball ran loose to Freuler.
His first shot was blocked by Gianluigi Buffon but the Swiss forced home the rebound despite the attention of three defenders who were left slumped on the ground.
Villarreal keeps hopes alive
Striker Cedric Bakambu scored twice as Villarreal defeated Sporting Gijon 3-1 in the Spanish league Friday, keeping alive its slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Villarreal was within five points of fourth-place Sevilla and third-place Atletico Madrid, who are level on points.
Sporting was in 18th place in the 20-team standings, at least six points from safety.
Roberto Soldado opened the scoring in the first half and Bakambu added both of his goals early in the second.
Douglas scored near the end for Sporting, which is winless in seven games.
Basel wins 8th straight Swiss title with 6 games to spare
Basel has sealed its eighth straight Swiss league title with six games left.
A 2-1 win at Lucerne Friday sent Basel 24 points clear of Young Boys, which has seven games to play.
Basel qualifies direct into the group stage of the Champions League next season.
Still, a second straight title under coach Urs Fischer could not save his job.
Former Switzerland midfielder Raphael Wicky has been appointed to take over as first-team coach next season. — Agencies
