19 October 2018
TEN OUT OF TEN
Juve have made a perfect start to the season so far, winning all 10 of their opening matches in all competitions, setting their best-ever start to a season.
Last time out the Old Lady took on Udinese in Fruili before the start of the international fixtures, and Massimiliano Allegri’s men made no mistake once more, winning 0-2 at the Dacia Arena. Rodrigo Bentancur scored his first Juventus goal with a well-placed headed on Joao Cancelo’s cross to opening the scoring for the Bianconeri just before the half-hour mark. Shortly after, a neat lay-off outside the box by Mario Mandzukic saw Cristiano Ronaldo fire in with an instinctive first-time strike to double the lead.
La Vecchia Signora controlled the match in the second half, putting a professional display to see the game out and stay perfect to go into the international break top of the table on 24 points.
CHANGE AT GENOA
Following a mixed start to the season, Genoa recently dispensed with coach Davide Ballardini replacing him with former boss Ivan Juric, who will make his third debut on the Rossoblu bench against Juve on Saturday.
Genoa have achieved four wins and three losses so far and currently sitting in 11th place in the table. Last time out they were beaten 1-3 at home by promoted Parma, despite taking the lead after six minutes through Krzystof Piatek. Luca Rigoni, who joined the visitors from Genoa in the summer equalised 10 minutes later, before a quick-fire double from Luca Siligardi and Fabio Ceravolo put Parma out of sight.
Il Grifone’s summer saw them reinforce the side with experience, re-signing former Juve defender, Domenico Criscito from Zenit, Brazilian midfielder Sandro, former Juve loanee, Romulo, as well as goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, after Mattia Perin was sold to Juventus. However, the signing that appears to have caught everyone’s eye is that of Polish striker, Piatek. The Pole is currently Serie A’s top scorer with nine goals to his name, having joined from Cracovia in the transfer window.
LAST TIME VS GENOA
Last season at the Allianz, the Bianconeri were victorious by a goal to nil, courtesy of Douglas Costa. The Brazilian picked up the ball outside the box before playing a fantastic one-two with Mandzukic, to then slot home past Perin in the Genoa goal.
In the second half, Miralem Pjanic went close to extended the lead with a curled effort that flashed just past the post, with a Stephan Lichtsteiner centre also nearly finding Gonzalo Higuain to tap in. However, the one goal proved to be enough as the Old Lady gained another three important points on their quest to the title.
#JUVEGENOA MATCH STATS
- In 102 games between the two, Juventus have won 62, with 20 draws and 20 Genoa wins.
- Juve have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last 10 games against Genoa in Serie A.
- In the last seven games between the two in Serie A there has always been at least one goal in the first half and in the last four, within the first 20 minutes of play.
- The Bianconeri are unbeaten against Genoa in Turin in 49 out of 51 games.
- In the last eight league games in which Genoa have fallen behind, they have never been able to equalise going on to lose.
- Genoa have conceded the most headers so far (four) this season.
- Juventus are currently the league’s top scorers with 18 goals, whilst Genoa boast the division’s top goalscorer Piatek (nine).
- Manduzkic has made three winning assists in each of the last three games against Genoa in Serie A.
- Domenico Criscito is the defender with the most assists this season with three.
- Massimiliano Allegri has won 12 of his last 19 against Genoa (five draws, two defeats).
