13 June 2017
Juventus saw off Sampdoria in style to record their eighth Serie A victory of the season on 26 October 2016.
The Bianconeri meant business from the word go: with just four minutes on the clock, Mario Mandzukic got the champions up and running, the Croatian heading home following excellent work on the wing from Juan Cuadrado for his first goal of the campaign.
No sooner had the home faithful settled back down in their seats than the rampant hosts struck again, Giorgio Chiellini thundering home in similar style from a Pjanic corner to make it 2-0, the first of two clinical finishes from the centre-back.
Juve might have even added to their tally before the half-hour mark as the ever-impressive Mandzukic – operating as an inside forward on the night – cut back for strike partner Gonzalo Higuain to lash into the side netting from a good position.
At the other end meanwhile, Neto would have to be at his very best to push away Patrick Schick’s goal-bound toe punt in the final penalty box action of the half.
That chance signalled an improvement in Sampdoria’s play either side of the interval and the visitors deservedly halved the deficit on 57 minutes as Dennis Praet capitalised on a mistake from Chiellini to tee up Schick for a simple tap-in.
Samp’s hopes of a comeback however was short-lived. Moments after Christian Puggioni had saved sharply from Sami Khedira’s cross-cum-shot, the Bianconeri’s advantage was restored: Miralem Pjanic picking up the pieces after a goalmouth scramble to power home from close range.
Claudio Marchisio, making his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury in April, was afforded a well-earned standing ovation after an excellent 70-minute long display.
By now, Juve were cruising through the closing stages, but there was still time for Chiellini to add the cherry on the cake with his second header of the evening three minutes before the final whistle.
The victory ensured the Bianconeri bounced back from defeat the previous weekend against Milan to stay two points clear of second-placed Roma.
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