Juventus emphatically beat Genoa 2-0 on Sunday and has now won three of its last four league matches.
The hosts overwhelmed their opponents with possession, not allowing a shot against in the first half. Juan Cuadrado was in top form and scored the winning goal while creating several chances from the wing. Genoa’s play improved after halftime, but Salvatore Sirigu’s impressive performance was the sole reason the club did not concede more. The Bianconeri defense outclassed the Genoese forwards, with Caleb Ekuban turning in a particularly poor showing.
Juventus started Paulo Dybala as the number ten with Weston McKennie injured. Dejan Kulusevski and Federico Bernadeschi flanked the midfielder to form the attacking core of Massimiliano Allegri’s 4-2-3-1. After limiting Atalanta to just one goal, Mathijs de Ligt returned to the backline alongside Giorgio Chiellini.
Andriy Shevchenko again deployed a 3-5-2, and play seemed likely to concentrate through wing-backs Andrea Cambasio and Paolo Ghiglione. Hernani also earned his first start since his injury and lined up in the central midfield.
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— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) December 5, 2021
Juventus started the match in style when Juan Cuadrado scored directly from a corner kick. His shot went into the upper corner of the net and gave Sirigu no chance to make the save. It was the second day in a row that an Italian club scored in this manner, after Hakan Calhanoglu managed the feat against Roma.
Juventus pressed high against Genoa, giving the visitors little time on the ball. The intensity of the high block overwhelmed the club, not allowing it to build attacks.
Alvaro Morata released Bernadeschi behind the Rossoblu backline in the 15th minute, nearly doubling Juventus’ lead. However, the winger shot from too tight of an angle, and Sirigu made the difficult save.
Nicolo Rovella’s absence severely hampered Genoa’s efforts. With Valon Behrami replacing the 18-year-old, the club struggled to retain possession in the midfield and lacked quality distribution.
?? Gli undici Grifoni per #JuventusGenoa pic.twitter.com/Ft5B3w4BWd
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) December 5, 2021
Ten minutes before the break, Juventus missed a golden opportunity. Kulusevski managed a free header from less than five yards out, but the attempt went directly at Sirigu. The goalkeeper knocked the ball into the path of Morata, but the striker failed to score from close-range.
After halftime, the Genoa responded. Incredibly fortunate to still be in the game, the Rossoblu created multiple chances in the opening minutes but were unable to level the score.
However, the visitors’ momentum did not last. Morata forced a turnover against centre-back Mattia Bani inside the box and took a curling shot on goal. It was not quite good enough though, and Italy’s reserve ‘keeper made a diving save to preserve the scoreline.
Shevchenko made a trio of changes in the 58th minute, desperately trying to galvanize his midfield, but Juventus continued to dominate. Allegri’s side earned several prime chances, including a point-blank shot for Dybala, but Sirigu continued his strong form and kept the ball out of the net.
As the match drew to a close, Dybala finally scored to confirm the result. Bernadeschi played the unmarked midfielder into the box, and he easily slotted the ball into the net for the win.