Juventus 2 – Stade Rennais 2: Initial reaction and random observations

When Juventus jumped out to a 1-0 lead after all of five minutes on Thursday night, there were hopes that this was going to another Europa League outing that turned into a positive amidst some very frustrating days. Once Juventus fell behind 2-1 right before the half, it was just a reminder that it could end up being more of the same.

Then, a lifeline appeared. Suddenly, all of the late-game pressure as Stade Rennais hunkered down to try and conserve a point (at least), actually paid off and second-half sub Jhon Lucumí was the latest Juve defender in the early stages of this 2026-27 season to make a big impact on the other side of the field, too.

That was until VAR came into play. You know, the thing that probably has you re-thinking goal celebrations (or at least putting them off for a few seconds before you know for sure that these guys actually scored).

Ah, our friend VAR. Our lovely, lovely friend who hasn’t been much of an issue — in both a good and a bad way — much this season. But it was the Lucumí goal canceled off well after it was scored and the VAR review first began, that resulted in what looked like a 3-2 win coming out of nowhere going back to a 2-2 draw that saw Juve drop points for the first time in the Europa League this season. It was a game they looked like they were going to lose, then suddenly had the chance to win if not for VAR and all the “fun” that came with it.

Rightly or wrongly, Juventus dropped points in their third game since coming back from the extended international break. They have one win in their last four ever since beating Atalanta 2-0 at the Allianz on Sept. 20 — a game that feels like so much more than a little over a month ago.

As I write this, Juventus have fallen down from first to seventh in the Europa League table. By the time the late window games come to a close, they could be lower. It’s not a disaster, but it’s also a sign of just how much fluctuation you’re going to see happen if you drop points during these early games in the league phase. And especially with a team like AZ Alkmaar next up on the schedule in Europe, Juve could very well be looking at two straight Europa League fixtures without a win in a couple of weeks’ time.

And between now and then, there’s also three Serie A games to be played, so it’s hard to guess — at least in the positive kind of way — where this Juventus team will be the next time they face a European opponent.

The thing is, Juventus started out well. The appearance of them hitting Stade Rennais on the counter and ceding some possession was a pleasant development. They got the goal with a quick counter, and they used that bright start to their advantage.

But then the usual mistakes crept in. The usual problems that have hampered this team for so many games already this season became the more frequent. Randal Kolo Muani, for all of his goals the last few games, struggled to replicate that success on Thursday night and was arguably one of Juve’s worst players on the field because of it. Juventus’ overall level after that strong start didn’t last, and then they were forced to be in the kind of position they have been in all too often this season — chasing the game rather than trying to control it with a lead.

Was it good to see them come a VAR decision away from turning a game in their favor and potentially getting the win? Of course. But, at the same time, it’s hard to ignore the process and game state in which led to them having to pull a second late-game comeback in as many Europa League games out of their back pocket.

It’s pretty easy to figure out that the way Juve are playing isn’t sustainable and won’t be enough for them to turn this season around and actually look like a threat for the top four again. Right now, they don’t look the part, and no matter the front office backs Luciano Spalletti you can’t help but wonder how long the leash actually is.

But hey, the Thursday-Sunday grind continues this weekend. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

• I still don’t know, for sure, why the Lucumí goal was called off. I’m guessing I’m not the only one.
• That is even with Sky Italia having a sort of explainer in plain sight. I don’t know, man.
• The Lucumí decision will be the headliner, but was that refereeing performance actually good? It didn’t seem like it was very good from where I was sitting. (Then again, I watched on my phone for much of the game, so who knows.)
• Then again, not only are Juventus not playing very well at all right now (and for much of the season), their luck has been absolutely woeful. Doesn’t matter if it’s in-game or with injuries, just one thing after another tells you that this team is basically fighting an uphill battle with Lady Luck on top of not being very good.
• Then again, sometimes if you play the way Juve have, maybe you don’t deserve good luck to come your way.
• So all Nick Woltemade does is score goals in the Europa League then?

• That Woltemade assist for Juventus’ opener was pretty dang good, too. He did some good things, but you just feel like the Woltemade we saw back in the Bundesliga a couple of years ago just hasn’t been unlocked yet. Or if it will considering how he has played ever since changing Germany for a club that wears black and white.
• Not exactly the best performance for Captain Bremer after his comments over the weekend, was it?
• Andrea Cambiaso’s marking on the ball that ended up leading to Stade Rennais’ first goal? Not good — at all.
• Same goes for Federico Gatti’s marking of the man who scored said goal. Just too slow and poor awareness of their surroundings all the way around. Or maybe just another reminder of their level.
• Cambiaso’s Sofascore rating is funny because it hypes up his defensive contributions and yet the eyes told me something very, very different about how he played. You know, kinda the usual when it comes to Cambiaso on the defensive side of things.
• Douglas Luiz may have started the season well, but it now just seems like he is coming back down to earth. Maybe it’s the load of minutes he’s essentially been forced to play because of all the injuries. Who really knows. But Juventus need more from him in midfield because the midfield is just still an issue for this team.
• But hey, Teun Koopmeiners wasn’t a total mess in this game compared to his last start, so there’s that.
• I miss Pierre Kalulu’s good crossing. Emphasis on “good,” folks.
• But at least Pierre pulled off the head bandage well. So there’s that to come out of this, I guess.
• Kerim Alajbegović in the 91st minute after the potential game-winning goal was scored? Really? That’s it?
• Guglielmo Vicario had a very interesting foray toward the edges of his penalty area in this game. He also made a big-time save or two at the near post as well. So … net positive?
• Going from top of the Europa League table to seventh within a few hours ain’t great.
• Then again, could be worse — just look at what Milan did against Bournemouth. Then look at who was in goal for Bournemouth on this rainy night in England.
• Honestly, it’s becoming harder and harder to write these things. Juventus are not bringing much joy, much entertainment value (no matter the score) and overall motivation. We’ll still be here as always, but sometimes it just feels like only the same thing can be said about this team because there’s no alternative. It’s harder and harder to think that an extended winning streak is possible or that they will suddenly just snap into good form. I just can’t help but think about where they will be when Kenan Yildiz comes back into the lineup and none of it is all that positive.
• Ah well. At least they didn’t lose, I guess. (That’s not a good way to think about Juventus right now, but it’s also reality. As an F1 podcaster I listen to always says, the key to life is low expectations — and I feel like that’s very appropriate for Juve in the year of 2026.)