Woltemade Rescues Point as VAR Denies Juventus Late Winner Against Rennes

FolioPitch.com – 23 October 2026 | Nick Woltemade was the architect of Juventus’s fightback as the Bianconeri salvaged a 2-2 draw against Stade Rennais in their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday, though Jhon Lucumi’s late winner was controversially disallowed by VAR. The UEL Juventus 2-2 Rennes Woltemade rescues a point for troubled Old Lady encounter at the Allianz Stadium saw the German forward score a penalty and provide an assist, but it was not enough to secure all three points for a Juventus side enduring a dismal run of form.

Juventus entered the match on the back of a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Lazio in Serie A, yet they boasted a perfect Europa League record after thrashing NEC 5-0 and completing a 2-1 comeback win away to Celta Vigo. Coach Thiago Motta was forced to reshuffle his lineup due to injuries to Francisco Conceicao, Kenan Yildiz, Manuel Locatelli, Jeff Ekhator and Kamil Grabara, while Edon Zhegrova was omitted from the UEFA list. For the first time, Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani started together in attack. Rennes, meanwhile, were without top scorer Esteban Lepaul due to an ankle injury and switched to a three-man defence after a draw at Sturm Graz and a 2-1 win over OFI Crete.

The match burst into life after just five minutes when Woltemade timed a slide-rule pass perfectly to send Zeki Celik down the right, springing the offside trap and allowing the defender to beat Bryce Samba with an angled drive. However, Rennes responded quickly as Bryan Reynolds was allowed to knock back a cross to the far post, finding Musa Al-Taamari to turn in from six yards and draw level. Federico Gatti’s header was palmed away by a sensational Samba save from close range, but Weston McKennie had a remarkable double chance to score. First he was denied by Samba, then somehow hit the upright on the rebound from point-blank range.

Moments later, Guglielmo Vicario made a tough save of his own on a well-placed Mahamadou Nagida volley at the far post. Rennes started taking more of the initiative and received a rather harsh penalty when a corner was cleared as far as another Nagida volley and Douglas Luiz, falling over, landed with his arm charging it down. The referee spotted it immediately and awarded the spot-kick, which ex-Lazio striker Boulaye Dia converted by sending Vicario the wrong way.

Pierre Kalulu came on for the restart and nearly scored within four minutes, nodding the Andrea Cambiaso cross wide while clashing heads with Nagida. Vicario had to make another save as Al-Taamari dribbled through defenders to cut inside from the left and shoot, then Cambiaso made up for the error that sparked the Rennes counter by intercepting the Nagida cross. Nico Gonzalez was introduced on the hour mark as Juve switched to four at the back, and the Argentine was decisive as his header down from a Douglas Luiz free kick struck Reynolds on the arm for a penalty. Woltemade converted straight down the middle to draw Juventus level.

It sparked the Bianconeri back into life, McKennie’s pull-back from the by-line for a Woltemade effort deflected wide, then a Teun Koopmeiners scorcher from distance straight at Samba. Woltemade had two headers in quick succession from six yards, one deflected, the other wide on the resulting corner. Juventus thought they had completed the turnaround at the 88th minute when a free kick was flicked on by Koopmeiners and took a series of ricochets to land kindly for Jhon Lucumi to drill in from 12 yards with a big deflection off Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal. However, VAR spotted Lucumi was offside when Koopmeiners made the initial flick and the referee decided it was enough to disallow the goal. Rennes locked down into defence after that scare, only allowing a Woltemade shot on the turn charged down in the area.

The UEL Juventus 2-2 Rennes Woltemade rescues a point for troubled Old Lady result leaves Juventus still searching for consistency, with their defensive frailties again on display. The Bianconeri have now conceded in each of their last three matches in all competitions and will need to tighten up at the back if they are to challenge for silverware this season. Woltemade’s contribution was a bright spot, but the German international will need support from his teammates if Juventus are to turn their fortunes around.

For Rennes, the draw represents a solid point away from home against one of the tournament favorites. The French side showed resilience and tactical discipline, and but for a stroke of VAR fortune, they might have returned to France with all three points. The UEL Juventus 2-2 Rennes Woltemade rescues a point for troubled Old Lady match also highlighted the importance of VAR in modern football, with the technology playing a decisive role in the final outcome.

In conclusion, Juventus’s struggles continue, but Woltemade’s performance offered a glimmer of hope. The Old Lady must regroup quickly as they prepare for their next Serie A fixture, while Rennes can take heart from a spirited display. The UEL Juventus 2-2 Rennes Woltemade rescues a point for troubled Old Lady encounter will be remembered for its drama and controversy, and both sides will look to build on this result as the Europa League campaign progresses.