26 November 2017
On the Bianconeri’s return to Serie A action, second half goals from Mario Mandzukic, Mattia De Sciglio and Medhi Benatia saw Juventus run out as 3-0 winners over Crotone at the Allianz Stadium.
A slow first-half at the Allianz devoid of major chances saw Blaise Matuidi head just past the left-hand post after a cross from Douglas Costa. Mario Mandzukic then had a carbon copy on the other side when another cross from Costa failed to trouble Alex Cordaz in the Crotone goal.
The second half was a much different story.
Despite taking a while to get going, the deadlock was eventually broken 52 minutes in, when Mandzukic met Andrea Barzagli’s cross with a powerful header to give Juve the lead. A second goal arrived just eight minutes later when the ball fell to second half substitute Mattia De Sciglio outside the area following a corner. The Juve defender lashed a first-time effort that flew past Cordaz. It was De Sciglio’s first ever Juventus goal and he marked the achievement with some style!
The third goal then came on 71 minutes, when a short corner was given to Miralem Pjanic and the Bosnian put a dangerous ball into the box that was parried by Cordaz into the path of Benatia. The Moroccan defender couldn’t miss from a yard out for his first goal of the season to put the game beyond doubt.
Next up for Juventus with be a mouth-watering trip to league leaders, Napoli on Friday 8 December, that is one that has been circled on both teams’ calendars for quite a while.
