Juventus got their Champions League Group Stage off to a good start when they defeated Malmö 3-0 at the Eleda Stadion on Tuesday evening. Alex Sandro opened the scoring, before two late first half goals by Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata wrapped up the victory.
The game was a chance for the Bianconeri to secure their first victory of the season, and they were the ones who created the first chance at goal when a Morata chipped ball to Dybala left him clean on goal, only to see him sky his effort.
The hosts then had a chance of their own in the 17th minute when a cross by Berget met Rieks, who volley it just over the target. Juventus did grab the lead five minutes later through Alex Sandro who turned in Cuadrado’s cross with a diving header from 10 yards out! The Brazilian nearly added a second goal to his name when he got onto the end of a Bonucci long-ball, he brilliantly controlled it before whipping his effort narrowly out at the far post.
Birmancevic and Locatelli saw their respective efforts go wide of the target, as Juventus went on to add two quick goals before the break. The first came courtesy of a Dybala penalty after Morata was brought down in the box by Nielsen. The second, which occurred in first half stoppages, saw Morata put away Dybala’s assist in a move which started with Szczesny’s long ball up the field for Rabiot who knocked it on.
Into the second half and Juventus nearly added their fourth goal just after the hour mark when a beautiful attacking move saw Dybala tee up Morata with a great backheel touch, only to see the Spanish striker’s shot palmed away by Diawara. Kean thought he had bagged a goal of his own just minutes after coming on, but the offside flag ruled it out. The rest of the half played out in a quiet manner, as the Bianconeri claimed three points in their opening match of the UEFA Champions League.
Malmo: Diawara; Berget, Ahmedodzic, L Nielsen, Brorsson, Rieks; Innocent, Christiansen, Rakip; Colak, Birmancevic
Malmo bench: Ellborg, Dahlin, Larsson, Olsson, Bejimo, Abubakari, Gwargis, Nalic, Eile, Bjorkqvist, Nanasi
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, De Ligt (Rugani 87’), Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado (Kulusevski 82), Bentancur (McKennie 68’), Locatelli, Rabiot; Dybala (Ramsey 82’), Morata (Kean 68’)
Juventus bench: Pinsoglio, Perin, De Sciglio, Chiellini, Ramsey, McKennie, Kean, Rugani, Kulusevski