Soccer
Randal Kolo Muani converted an 89th-minute penalty to earn Juventus a 2-1 win at Como on Friday, continuing his brilliant start to life in Serie A.
Juventus visited Cesc Fabregas’ team needing a victory to ease the pressure on head coach Thiago Motta, who had overseen 13 draws in his first 23 league games at the helm.
It looked like they might be frustrated yet again despite Kolo Muani – who recently arrived from Paris Saint-Germain on loan – putting them ahead against the run of play in the 34th minute.
The hosts deservedly levelled on the stroke of half-time through Assane Diao’s header, and a quiet second half seemed set to finish all-square.
However, a late foul by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez gave Juventus a spot-kick, which Kolo Muani confidently slotted home.
The win takes Juventus to fourth in the standings on 43 points, one ahead of Fiorentina, who play second-placed Inter on Monday, and Lazio who take on Monza on Sunday.
Data Debrief: Kolo Muani’s historic start
Kolo Muani struggled for regular minutes after returning to his homeland to join PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt, but moving to Turin has given him a new lease of life.
He is the first player to ever score five goals in his first three Serie A appearances in the three-points-for-a-win era (starting in 1994-95).
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