Juventus' Daniele Rugani (L) and Manuel Locatelli (R) vie with Sampdoria's Abdelhamid Sabiri during their 0-0 draw in Genoa, Italy, Aug. 22, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus was held 0-0 by Sampdoria in the second round of the new Serie A season.
ROME, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Adrien Rabiot saw a goal ruled out as Juventus dropped points for the first time in the new Serie A season after a goalless draw with Sampdoria on Monday.
Having opened the season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sassuolo, Juve entered the Luigi Ferraris Stadium without Angel Di Maria, Federico Chiesa, Paul Pogba and Wojciech Szczesny, but Rabiot returned to action, while Daniele Rugani replaced injured Leonardo Bonucci at center-back.
Juventus' Filip Kostic (R) takes a shot against Sampdoria. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
The home side almost got the opener minutes into the game, when Mehdi Leris's attempt from close range was pushed by goalkeeper Mattia Perin onto the bar, before it rebounded into his arms.
At the other end, Juan Cuadrado's effort was too straight to surprise Emil Audero, while Filip Kostic's deflected shot was palmed away.
Juve found the net in the 64th minute when Dusan Vlahovic pulled back for Rabiot to drill home, but the goal was ruled out as Vlahovic had been in an offside position in the build-up.
Kostic winces in pain during the match. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Kostic should have scored a last-gasp winner, but his volley inside the box was parried away.
Roma registered their second consecutive win with another 1-0 victory over Cremonese.
Chris Smalling headed in the only goal, and celebrated by holding up the shirt of teammate Georginio Wijnaldum, after the Dutchman fractured his tibia in training and is likely to miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup. ■
