TURIN, ITALY — In a match that swung from despair to delirium, Pierre Kalulu's header deep into stoppage time salvaged a 2-2 draw for Juventus against Lazio at the Allianz Stadium. The French defender's dramatic intervention in the 96th minute capped a remarkable second-half comeback after the Bianconeri had trailed 2-0 at the interval.
For 45 minutes, this looked like Lazio's afternoon. Pedro's clinical finish in first-half stoppage time, tucking a left-footed effort into the bottom left corner after Daniel Maldini's assist, had given the visitors a deserved lead. The Spanish veteran's composure epitomized Lazio's efficiency in front of goal, making the most of their limited opportunities against Juventus's territorial dominance.
The second half began disastrously for the hosts when Gustav Isaksen extended Lazio's advantage just two minutes after the restart. The Danish winger's right-footed strike from the right side of the box, assisted by Danilo Cataldi, flew into the high centre of the goal and appeared to have sealed all three points for the visitors. At 2-0 down, Juventus faced the prospect of a damaging defeat that would dent their Champions League qualification hopes.
But Weston McKennie sparked the revival in the 59th minute, powering a header from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner after Andrea Cambiaso delivered a perfect cross from the left flank. The American midfielder's goal ignited the Allianz Stadium and transformed the match's complexion. Suddenly, Juventus believed, and Lazio's defensive resolve began to crack under relentless pressure.
The statistics told the story of Juventus's overwhelming dominance. The Bianconeri controlled 62.9% of possession and peppered Ivan Provedel's goal with 34 shots compared to Lazio's nine. Yet despite launching 34 attempts, Juventus managed just eight on target, highlighting their wastefulness in front of goal. Provedel proved heroic for the visitors, making six crucial saves to keep his side in the contest as wave after wave of black-and-white attacks crashed against Lazio's defensive wall.
Kenan Yildiz epitomized Juventus's attacking intent, forcing Provedel into action multiple times. The Turkish youngster saw a right-footed effort from outside the box saved in the 78th minute, with McKennie providing the assist, before another attempt from the left side of the box was pushed away by the Lazio goalkeeper in the 50th minute. Teun Koopmeiners had orchestrated that earlier chance, showcasing the creative interplay that characterized Juventus's second-half surge.
The pressure became suffocating as the clock ticked toward full-time. Juventus won eight corners to Lazio's solitary set-piece, with the home side camping in the visitors' half for extended periods. Bremer had tested Provedel early in the match with a 16th-minute header that the goalkeeper saved, while Cambiaso's left-footed strike from distance in the ninth minute also required intervention from the Lazio custodian.
As six minutes of stoppage time were announced, the Allianz Stadium became a cauldron of noise and expectation. Juventus threw everything forward, and in the 96th minute, their persistence was rewarded. Kalulu rose highest to meet a cross, and his header from very close range found the centre of the goal, sending the home supporters into raptures. The French defender, who had been solid throughout, became the unlikely hero with his first goal in Juventus colors.
The tactical battle saw Juventus commit ten fouls to Lazio's four, reflecting their desperation to regain possession and launch attacks. Lazio collected two yellow cards, with Alessio Romagnoli cautioned in the 81st minute for a foul on Jérémie Boga, who had entered as a substitute. The visitors' disciplined defensive structure frustrated Juventus for long periods, even as the shot count mounted alarmingly against them.
For Juventus, sitting fourth with 33 points from 17 matches, this point feels like two dropped rather than one gained. Their goal difference of +8 reflects a season of mixed fortunes, and their inability to convert territorial dominance into goals remains a concern. Lazio, eighth with 25 points and a +6 goal difference, will rue their inability to hold on for what would have been a statement victory in Turin.
The draw extends Juventus's recent inconsistency, having won just nine of their 17 league matches this season. Their five draws suggest a team capable of controlling games but lacking the clinical edge to convert dominance into victories. Lazio's six wins from 17 matches reflect their mid-table status, though their ability to take leads against top-four opposition demonstrates their quality on the counter-attack.
Both teams now turn their attention to crucial upcoming fixtures. Lazio travel to face high-flying Atalanta on February 15, a daunting assignment against one of Serie A's most in-form sides. For Juventus, the challenge is maintaining their top-four position while finding the cutting edge that eluded them for so long this afternoon. Kalulu's late intervention may have salvaged a point, but the Bianconeri know they must be more ruthless if their Champions League ambitions are to be realized.