21 November 2015
A beautifully crafted goal by Paulo Dybala proved the difference as the Bianconeri sealed a third successive Serie A success by beating Milan 1-0 on Saturday evening at Juventus Stadium.
A first half devoid of major scoring opportunities eventually came to life when Hernanes forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into the smartest of saves, the Milan keeper blocking the Brazilian’s free-kick, destined for the top corner after taking a wicked deflection off defender Alex.
The second period saw the hosts step up a gear with Paul Pogba bringing another brilliant block out of Donnarumma just moments before Dybala handed his side a deserved lead on 65 minutes.
The goal was wonderfully worked, as the Argentine forward took just one touch to control Alex Sandro’s instinctive cross before netting with extreme confidence and conviction, his sixth Serie A strike in the black and white.
Although the Bianconeri looked the likelier side to score again, Gigi Buffon was called into action deep into injury time to push clear Alessio Cerci’s fierce drive and make sure of all three points for a third league match in a row.
A bright beginning to the match saw half-chances fall to both sides, first Hernanes bending his shot just above the bar from outside the box before Juraj Kucka volleyed past Gigi Buffon’s top corner.
While the hosts had the better of possession in the opening stages, the Rossoneri posed a threat in the final third with M’Baye Niang sending his drilled effort wide of the mark.
But Claudio Marchisio’s stinging shot from 25 yards out, well blocked by Donnarumma, served as a reminder to the visitors of the Bianconeri’s intent on gaining the upper hand over proceedings.
Hernanes too demonstrated he can be a danger from range, as his attempt on 38 minutes arrowed narrowly over the crossbar.
And the Brazilian came even closer to beating Donnarumma when his free-kick veered viciously off Alex but the 16-year-old goalkeeper showed rapid reflexes to punch the ball clear, ensuring that a first half short of incident ended goalless.
The pattern of play scarcely changed after the interval, with clear-cut chances hard to come by, although Kucka might have steered his header on target after rising highest to meet Giacomo Bonaventura’s corner.
Down the other end of the pitch, Juventus were starting to ask tougher questions of the opposition defence, Paul Pogba bringing another impressive save out of Donnarumma, who had to fly to his left to prevent the hosts from taking a 62nd minute lead.
There was little he could do, however, about the hosts’ brilliantly worked goal just three minutes later.
Alex Sandro, who had already shown plenty of attacking intent since coming off the bench, played a lovely first-time cross into the box for Dybala, who only needed one touch to take the ball away from his markers and another to lash home with calm and conviction to send the ground into ecstasy.
Intent on cancelling out the deficit immediately, Milan were presented with a golden opportunity to do just that on 71 minutes, but Kucka could only hook over the crossbar from an incredibly inviting position.
The Bianconeri pushed with vim and vigour to try to double their advantage, Mario Mandzukic scooping over from inside the box, and Buffon had to be on his toes to keep out Cerci’s injury time effort, otherwise destined for the bottom corner.
The win gives Massimiliano Allegri three wins out of three against his former club and marks a third straight success in Serie A – just the sort of form that is required for the Old Lady to continue their healthy rise up the league table.
Now attentions will turn to the Wednesday’s Champions League encounter at home to Manchester City, where another three points would confirm qualification to the competition’s knockout stages.
JUVENTUS
Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, Evra (Alex Sandro 29), Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Hernanes (Bonucci 45), Mandzukic, Dybala (Morata 81)
Unused substitutes: Neto, Rubinho, Rugani, Lemina, Vitale, Cuadrado, Zaza.
Coach: Allegri
MILAN
Donnarumma; Abate, Alex, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Kucka (Luiz Adriano 74), Montolivo, Bonaventura; Cerci, Bacca, Niang (Honda 84)
Unused substitutes: Abbiati, Livieri, De Sciglio, Mexes, Zapata, Calabria, Mauri, Nocerino, Poli, Suso
Coach: Mihajlovic
