15 February 2019
Paulo Dybala, Leonardo Bonucci and Cristiano Ronaldo all managed to get on the scoresheet in a win that will leave them feeling confident going into the midweek Champions League fixture.Ahead of the match against Atletico Madrid, Massimiliano Allegri knew that his men couldn’t afford a slip up. That was evident in the strong line-up that took to the field, with Paulo Dybala returning to the line-up alongside Mario Mandzukic and Cristiano Ronaldo to lead a potent attack.
LA JOYA STRIKES EARLY
The Bianconeri wasted no time in making their intentions clear when they took the lead in the sixth minute through a wonderful left-footed strike by Dybala. He celebrated with his usual trademark Dybala mask, with Ronaldo joining in on the occasion. CR7 then tried his luck at adding a second goal when he stood over the ball for a free-kick from distance. However, it was a comfortable save from Marco Sportiello.
BONUCCI WITH THE DOUBLE
The Portuguese then was at the forefront of an inspired counter-attack and he came close to fashioning a chance in front of goal, only to see their attempt closed down by Frosinone. Moments later, Leonardo Bonucci doubled the lead when a scramble of headers inside the box saw Sportiello attempt to clear the ball off his line, but the defender was on hand to pounce in with a tap-in of his own from a Mandzukic effort.
Despite going down two goals, Frosinone were passing the ball well in and around the area, but produced very little to truly test Szczesny in goal. Ronaldo came agonisingly close ten minutes before the break, when he struck a beautiful free-kick that curled over the visitor’s wall but skimmed just over the crossbar. Juventus dominated proceedings and ultimately ended the half in control of the game.
SIIIIII!!!
The Bianconeri started the second half in a promising manner. Cristiano teed up Khedira, who unleashed a shot at goal but it was held by Sportiello. A double chance presented itself to Ronaldo, who saw his tap-in stolen away by a Bartosz Salamon interception. Dybala then floated in a corner kick, to which the No.7 saw his header sail just above goal.
Just after the hour mark Juventus broke free on a counter-attack. Mandzukic received the ball on the right flank by the byline, where he pulled it back with a cross into the box. The onrushing Ronaldo pounced on it to slot home a low strike with a first-time finish.
When in possession, Frosinone held and moved the ball in a controlled manner, but they struggled to threaten the Bianconeri backline. Allegri then introduced Khedira and Pjanic within minutes of each other, with the Bosnian getting stuck into the thick of things by drawing a foul from Cassata. The game was then wrapped up by a good shot from Federico Bernadeschi, who was denied by Sportiello’s outstretched hand. Another three goals scored, another three points.
Juventus Starting XI: Szczesny; De Sciglio, Bonucci, Chiellini (Caceres ’70), Cancelo; Khedira (Pjanic ’80), Bentancur, Emre Can; Dybala, Mandzukic, Ronaldo (Bernardeschi ’63)
Subs: Pinsoglio, Perin, Barzagli, Caceres, Spinazzola, Matuidi, Pjanic, Bernardeschi, Kean
Coach: Allegri
Frosinone Starting XI: Sportiello, Goldaniga, Salamon, Capuano, Zampano (Paganini ’83), Chibsah (Gori ’78), Viviani, Cassata, Molinaro, Ciofani (Pinamonti ’58), Ciano.
Subs: Marciano, Iacobucci, Gori, Paganini, Maiello, Valzania, Trotta, Sammarco, Brighenti, Krajnc, Beghetto, Pinamonti
Coach: Baroni
Referee: Giua
Assists: Tolfo, Alassio
Fourth Official: Nasca
VAR: Irrati, Di Iorio
Yellow Card: Can ’26, Salamon ’37, Capuano ’62, Cassata ’82, Cancelo ‘88
