Gift Orban scores first Serie A goal with Verona in draw with Juventus

Gift Orban opened his Serie A account with Hellas Verona in a 1-1 draw against Juventus on Saturday. The Nigerian striker’s first goal since arriving on loan from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim helped Verona to a point.

Juve took the lead when Khéphren Thuram beat found Francisco Conceicao, who beat his man before finding the bottom corner from just outside the box in the 19th minute.

The first half drama wasn’t over as Verona levelled from were given a penalty after Joao Mario was penalised for a handball following a long throw. Orban stepped up and his penalty went in off the underside of the bar – despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio.

However, the match wasn’t all smooth for the Nigerian forward, who he was shown a yellow card for swinging an arm into the face of Federico Gatti.

Verona came out in the second half looking for a winner. Orban and Martin Frese forced smart saves from Di Gregorio while a header from Suat Serdar was disallowed for offside.

The draw sees Juventus drop their first points of the Serie A season, but still are in first place with 10 points from 4 games, one more than second place Napoli. Meanwhile Verona a placed in 15th place of the log.