07 June 2017
A super start for Sami Khedira, six points from a possible six, a potentially awkward first away trip of the season navigated without trouble.
After Gonzalo Higuain's late winner from the substitutes' bench against Fiorentina had supplied Juventus with the perfect begininng to the 2016/17 campaign, it was up to Khedira to do the honours on Matchday 2.
Sami's thumping header had given Juve the lead on the opening day and it was his precise angled finish that earned a first away win of our title defence at the expense of Lazio.
The Bianconeri checked in on a sweltering evening at the Stadio Olimpico with one change to the side from the previous week, Medhi Benatia making his full debut in place of Leonardo Bonucci.
The conditions played a significant part in the tempo of the encounter in the first half and it would not be until after the interval that the Bianconeri began to take a firm grip of the game.
A first big chance came courtesy of Mario Mandzukic’s volley in the area, beaten away by the gloves of Federico Marchetti, before Paulo Dybala’s fine left-footed follow-up rolled agonisingly wide of the upright.
Five minutes later it was Khedira’s deflected cross-cum-shot that had Biancocelesti pulses racing, with Mandzukic inches away from providing the required touch at the back post.
Higuain entered the fray with 25 minutes remaining and Juve were in front a matter of moments later, Khedira coolly guiding a shot into the bottom corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Marchetti.
The hosts rallied and threw caution to the wind in their quest for a way back into the encounter, but Massimiliano Allegri’s rearguard held firm to see out an important three points in their final game ahead of September’s international break.
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