01 September 2018
Juve made it three wins on the spin with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Parma at the Stadio Tardini, to consolidate their place at the top of the table awaiting results elsewhere.The Gialloblu made the Bianconeri work for it with a lively first-half display but goals by Mario Mandzukic and Blaise Matuidi and a controlled second-half performance got the job done.Massimiliano Allegri made just one change to the side that started against Lazio, with Juan Cuadrado coming in for Joao Cancelo. And the Colombian didn't take long to leave his mark on the game.There were just two minutes on the clock when the Colombian whipped in the cross that led to the goal. Simone Iacoponi and Mandzukic both went for it but neither made clean contact and the ball dropped invitingly for the Croat, who had the simple task of prodding it home.Parma looked to hit back with former Roma man Gervinho causing all sorts of problems with his pace while Leo Stulac saw his free kick come crashing back off the bar – and it proved to be a warning of what was to come.Massimo Gobbi sent in a high ball which Roberto Inglese got a touch on before it fell for Gervinho just yards from goal. The Ivorian duly obliged by knocking the ball into the net with his knee.
Parma ended the half in the ascendancy and Wojciech Szczesny was called into action to keep out Luca Rigoni's effort shortly before the break.Juve upped the tempo in the second half and restored their lead with a beautifully worked goal just before the hour mark.Douglas Costa played in Mandzukic on the left-hand side of the box, the Croat spotted Matuidi's run and teed him up with a delightful backheel, which the Frenchman took full advantage of by smashing home beneath the bar.The goal seemed to take the sting out of Parma and Juve were able to see out the match in relative ease, meaning Allegri's men head into the international break on maximum points.
PARMA 1-2 JUVENTUS
SCORERS: Mandzukic 2', Gervinho 33', Matuidi 58'.
PARMA
Sepe; Iacoponi, Bruno Alves, Gagliolo, Gobbi; Rigoni (61' Deiola), Stulac, Barillà; Di Gaudio (80' Ceravolo), Inglese, Gervinho (61' Da Cruz).
Subs not sued: Frattali, Bagheria, Dimarco, Gazzola, Sierralta, Sprocati. Coach: D'Aversa.
JUVENTUS
Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira (80' st Dybala), Pjanic (73' st Emre Can), Matuidi; Bernardeschi (55' st Douglas Costa), Mandzukic, Ronaldo.
Subs not used: Perin, Pinsoglio, De Sciglio, Cancelo, Benatia, Barzagli, Rugani, Bentancur, Kean Coach: Allegri.
REFEREE: Doveri.
ASSISTANTS: Ranghetti, Di Iorio.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Aureliano.
VAR: Fabbri, Mondin. BOOKED: 13' Pjanic, 40' Bernardeschi, 45+2' Rigoni, 90' Cuadrado.
