05 December 2021
Juve made light work of Genoa by scoring a goal in each half thanks to Juan Cuadrado and Paulo Dybala, while the visitors were unable to muster a shot on target in the entire game. The hosts had 70% possession, just under 30 efforts on goal and completed 723 passes (Genoa’s tally stood at 295). The figures clearly demonstrate how much Max Allegri’s side dominated the proceedings on a night where the two-goal winning margin flattered the visitors.
CUADRADO OPENS THE SCORING FROM CORNER
Max Allegri set Juve up in a 4-2-3-1 system in a bid to ensure the team would cement themselves in opposition territory. La Joya dictated the play throughout and looking dangerous whenever on the ball, particularly when floating out to the right to link up with Dejan Kulusevski and Juan Cuadrado. Juve’s opener arrived with nine minutes on the clock when the Colombian headed over to the opposite side of the pitch to take a stunning in-swinging corner that eluded everyone, leaving Salvatore Sirigu helpless as the ball nestled in the far corner. It’s not the sort of goal you see every day, apart from this weekend in Serie A!
Genoa were unable to respond and the Bianconeri stayed on top despite not playing at a particularly fast tempo. Dybala and Federico Bernardeschi had efforts on goal as the half wore on, but accuracy was lacking. On the stroke of half time, Matthijs de Ligt’s header from point-blank range was somehow kept out before Alvaro Morata failed to bundle the rebound home.
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC
The Bianconeri registered no fewer than 14 efforts on goal in the first period, six of which were on target, while Wojciech Szczesny watched on passively without being called into action. The trend continued in the second half, as Dybala’s curler flew just inches over the bar in the 51st minute. Moments later, Morata charged into the box after winning the ball back down the left channel, but Sirigu made a fine save to palm his shot away. Kulusevski broke down the right after a sumptuous pass from Manuel Locatelli, but when the winger cut in to shoot on his left, his effort was blocked.
Bernardeschi showed his nifty footwork to get away from two Genoa players before his effort from long range was deflected behind just after the hour mark as Juve continued to press. Morata then set up Dybala inside the box only for Sirigu to pull off yet another stunning save. Seconds later, Cuadrado was picked out at the back post and volleyed the ball goalward, but the shotstopper got down low to save.
LA JOYA DOUBLES JUVE’S LEAD
Just as a feeling of doubt started to creep in with the clock running down and only a one-goal lead to show for all the domination, the second Juve goal finally arrived when Bernardeschi teed up Dybala, who took one touch on his left before rifling a powerful low drive into the far corner to make sure of all three points for the hosts.
The win takes Juve up to fifth in the table, with a Champions League clash to negotiate in midweek at home to Malmo before Serie A action resumes next weekend away to Venezia.
JUVENTUS 2-0 GENOA (HT: 1-0)
SCORERS: Cuadrado 9, Dybala 82.
JUVENTUS
Szczesny; Cuadrado, de Ligt, Chiellini, Pellegrini (Alex Sandro 46); Bentancur, Locatelli, Kulusevski, Bernardeschi (Rabiot 83); Dybala (Kaio Jorge 89), Morata (Kean 72).
Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Raina, Rugani, Bonucci, De Winter, Arthur, Soule.
Coach: Allegri.
GENOA
Sirigu; Biraschi, Bani (Vanheusden 73), Vasquez; Ghiglione, Behrami (Galdames 59), Hernani, Toure (Portanova 59), Cambiaso (Melegoni 85); Bianchi (Pandev 59), Ekuban.
Subs not used: Semper, Marchetti, Sabelli, Serpe, Masiello, Buksa.
Coach: Shevchenko.
REFEREE: Chiffi.
ASSISTANTS: Ranghetti, Colarossi.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Santoro.
VAR: Valeri, Preti.
BOOKED: Pellegrini 34, Cambiaso 49, Morata 72, Kean 74.
