BENEVENTO, Italy: Serie A titleholders Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw away to promoted side Benevento on Saturday after resting their talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Alvaro Morata gave Juventus a 21st-minute lead following a majestic cross-field pass from Federico Chiesa but Gaetano Letizia levelled for Benevento in first-half stoppage time, rifling home the ball after Arthur’s poor clearance landed at his feet.
Despite having more possession in the second half, Juventus were unable to find a way through the Benevento defence in a match that become increasingly niggly, and Morata was sent off in stoppage time.
The Turin side are fifth with 17 points from nine games, three behind leaders AC Milan who are at home to Fiorentina on Sunday. Benevento are in midtable with 10 points.
(Writing by Brian Homewood; editing by Clare Fallon)