Juventus rounded off an exciting opening Serie A weekend with a comprehensive 3-0 win against newly promoted Como in Turin. Como have had a lot of attention on them owing to the famous faces involved with the club. Cesc Fabregas took charge of his first game in Serie A tonight, unfortunately it couldn’t have gone worse as Juve’s young guns down new boys.
An oddly quiet Allianz Arena reflected the home team’s start to the game. It took them almost 20 minutes to create their first proper chance and Como looked comfortable enough in the opening stages as a result. The Lariani flattered to decide however and soon they were broken down.
Mbangula Scores on Debut
Striker Dusan Vlahovic glanced a header against the post to start the onslaught while the Azzuri were hit with a double whammy.Yannick Engelhardt had to be withdrawn through injury and his side fell behind all on 22 minutes. New Juventus signing Samuel Mbangula picked up the ball outside the box and drifted in from the right. He dragged defenders with him and struck sweetly to find the right hand corner. A goal on your competitive debut isn’t a bad way to start off at Juventus.
The game opened up more after this as both sides continued to play with a sense of freedom. Como exploited the wide channels but rarely troubled Michele Di Gregorio between the posts. To their credit they insisted on playing without fear against one of Serie A’s giants.
Juve were growing into the game all the time and continued to put pressure on their visitors. Reina was almost beaten by Vlahovic after a bizzare goal-mouth scramble of Como’s own creation and than again by the Serb from a free kick.
Juve Young Guns Down New Boys
Veteran forward Andrea Belotti went close a minute before the first half ended for Como but it was the Juve young guns who doubled their lead. Turkish starlet Kenan Yildiz took down a ball brilliantly out wide , drinbled, than pulled it back from the Goal-line to Tim Weah on the edge of the 18.
The American international crashed his shot against the underside of the crossbar and it bounced down over the line. Referee Matteo Marcenaro glanced at his watch and confirmed the goal. Suddenly Juve were much more comfortable going into the break.
Second Half
A more low-key affair followed in the second 45. Motta’s men didn’t need to exert themselves as much and started to relax. Kudos to Como once again who never gave in but just lacked the quality against this youthful vibrant side.
The ball was in again just after the break but it was chalked off for offside, denying Vlahovic a deserved goal. The trend continued when he had two bites of the cherry minutes later. One parried by Reina, another bouncing off the bar.
In fairness Fabregas had bad injury luck once again when Manuel Locatelli fouled Oliver Abdilgaard, who also had to be replaced after the hour mark. The closest the new additions came was a header over the bar but will count themselves unlucky for coming away three goals down.
Cambiaso Finishes the Job
A minute into injury time, Andrea Cambiaso found space at the edge of the area, put his left foot through the ball and found the bottom corner. Simple as, 3-0.
Three quality goals from three quality players kicks off the Bianconeri’s season. Motta’s squad and style bodes well for the season ahead, perhaps he’ll create something special with this team as Juve’s young guns down the new boys.