Rome (AFP)

Juventus, feverish and defenseless, suffered Wednesday to clinch their first success in the league against a modest team of La Spezia (3-2) which was not far from tripping the Bianconeri during the 5th day.

This first victory, after two draws and two defeats, allows Juve to move up to 12th place in the standings, eight lengths behind Inter Milan, provisional leader, and five points from AC Milan, third, which faces Venice. Wednesday evening.

Despite the opening score of Moise Kean (28th), the Turinese were overtaken by their defensive fragility of the moment, cracking on two accelerations from Emmanuel Gyasi (33rd) and Janis Antiste (49th).

It took all the rage of Federico Chiesa (66th) and Matthijs De Ligt (72nd) to put the Bianconeri back on track and ward off the crisis that hovered over the head of Turin coach Massimiliano Allegri.

This close duel against Spezia, which is only playing its second Serie A season, proved right to the former AC Milan tactician (2010-2014) who feared a complicated game and only asked one thing of his players: win, to finally get into the league after the worst start of the "Old Lady" for sixty years.

The victory, he had it.

But at times, his Juve looked like a sick team, with players lacking in confidence, watching with concern for instructions from the bench and preferring to play backwards to avoid risks.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri after the victory at La Spezia on September 22, 2021 ANDREAS SOLARO AFP

"We suffered but it is an important victory. There are a lot of things to improve, a lot of players have to improve in their choices", admitted the coach.

- Victory of "character" -

"Max" Allegri can thank Federico Chiesa, on whom he put pressure after coming into play on Sunday against AC Milan (1-1).

Holder this time in a largely renewed team (five changes), the Italian winger struggled in his lane, defending low and trying to break through.

But like his partners, with jerks, without always knowing what to do with the ball.

Juventus striker Moise Kean (l) prepares to open the scoring at La Spezia on September 22, 2021 ANDREAS SOLARO AFP

Without being brilliant, Juve did most of it by opening the scoring thanks to its two ex-Parisians: served by Adrien Rabiot, Moise Kean sent the ball to the foot of the post (28th).

But again, she was unable to preserve her advantage.

She broke before the break on a shot from Gyasi (33 ').

Then after the break on a lonely raid by the former Toulouse Antiste, 19, who offered his first Serie A goal by winning his duel against Leonardo Bonucci, whose deviation deceived Szczesny.

La Spezia, passed very close to 3-1 (saving Manuel Locatelli on his line, 65th), could not however cope with the reaction of Juve.

And the Dutch goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet, impeccable at the end of the first period in front of Paulo Dybala (40th, 42nd, 45th), surrendered against the angry tackle from Chiesa (66 ') and then the strike from De Ligt (72').

The Ghanaian striker of La Spezia Emmanuel Gyasi scorer against Juventus, September 22, 2021 in La Spezia ANDREAS SOLARO AFP

"The second half started off really badly, but the thing that matters today is character," said De Ligt.

Franck Ribery's Salernitana took their first point against Hellas Verona (2-2) after being down 2-0.

The promoted remains nevertheless red lantern.

© 2021 AFP