Juve start again by scoring three

After Bologna in the Coppa Italia and AC Milan in the Super Cup, paraded around the Allianz Stadium before kick-off, Juve made it three wins out of three since the start of 2019. Chievo Verona were the opposition this evening and two moments of magic from Douglas Costa and Paulo Dybala, finished by Emre Can, largely killed the game off before half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in the second half before Daniele Rugani added the gloss late on.

LIGHTNING DOUGLAS COSTA!

There was never any real danger of a close game, even though Chievo went on the attack first, which ended with an angled shot by Riccardo Meggiorini that Mattia Perin safely turned away. Juve responded immediately with a run from Federico Bernardeschi, playing on the right today, but the winger’s cross cut through the area without anyone getting on the end of it.

The atmosphere at the Stadium took a while to get warmed up, although some flashes of skill by Douglas Costa started to quicken the pulses. It was obvious from the start that the Brazilian was on song, as shown by some nice exchanges in tight spaces with Dybala and Alex Sandro. The impression was confirmed just before the quarter-hour mark when Costa burst down the middle, pulled off a sublime stepover and crafted a left-foot finish from outside the area into the corner to give the Bianconeri the lead.

EMRE CAN’S FIRST BIANCONERI FINISH

The game continued at a steady pace, with Juventus managing to keep control of the game but limiting Chievo and testing Paolo Sorrentino through Dybala, Ronaldo and Bernardeschi.

Just when the first half seemed that it was going to end without further drama, the Bianconeri doubled their advantage. Dybala evaded three defenders on the edge of the area and played a wonderful pass to Emre Can near the penalty spot. The German had time and a cool-enough head to precisely find the back of the net for his first goal for the club and Juventus’ second of the evening.

SORRENTINO DENIES RONALDO FROM THE SPOT

Juve almost extended their lead to three right at the start of the second half, but Sorrentino produced a superb reflex save to deny Alex Sandro’s close-range header, after the full-back was picked out in the six-yard box by Douglas Costa.

Shortly afterwards, Costa popped up again with a shot from the 18-yard line that struck Mattia Bani full on the arm, which was away from his body, leaving Marco Piccinini no choice but to point to the spot. Ronaldo stood up to take the spot-kick but Sorrentino guessed the right way and managed to turn the Portuguese’s shot around the post for a corner.

RUGANI SETTLES THE ENCOUNTER

Despite missing the chance to kill the game, Juve were still very much in the driving seat, but gradually – thanks also to Domenico Di Carlo’s substitutions – Chievo managed to get themselves playing further up the pitch. After easily saving a weak header by Meggiorini, Perin was called into action again to save Luca Rossettini’s long-ranged effort. Ronaldo had another gilt-edged opportunity but wasn’t able to convert after Emre Can did fantastically to pick him out with a cross.

Thirty minutes into the second half, Massimiliano Allegri made his first change, replacing Douglas Costa with Rodrigo Bentancur, which allowed Bernardeschi to play further forward. The Italian immediately drew a save from Sorrentino and then delivered an inch-perfect set piece for Daniele Rugani to head home.

The result was virtually already secured, but at 3-0 the contest was dead and a fair reflection of our dominance. The win re-establishes the Bianconeri’s nine-point lead over Napoli at the top of the table.

JUVENTUS 3-0 CHIEVO (HT: 2-0)

SCORERS: Douglas Costa 14, Emre Can 45, Daniele Rugani 84.

JUVENTUS

Perin; De Sciglio, Rugani, Chiellini, Alex Sandro (Kean, 89); Bernardeschi (Spinazzola, 86), Emre Can, Matuidi; Douglas Costa(Bentancur, 75), Dybala, Ronaldo.
Subs: Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Cancelo, Bonucci, Khedira.
Coach: Allegri.

CHIEVO
Sorrentino; Depaoli (Jaroszynski, 66), Bani, Rossettini,Tomovic, Kiyine; Hetemaj (Vignato, 61), Radovanovic; Giaccherini; Meggiorini, Pellissier (Stepinski, 65).
Subs: Semper, Caprile, Burruchaga, Tanasijevic, Cesar, Leris, Rigoni, Grubac, Djordjevic.
Coach: Di Carlo.

REFEREE: Piccinini.
ASSISTANTS: Di Vuolo, Rocca.
FOURTH OFFICAL: Pezzuto.
VAR OFFICIALS: Calvarese, Posado.

YELLOW CARDS: De Sciglio 80, Kiyine 83.

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