Juventus eventually seized a 70-minute numerical advantage to beat Lazio 1-0 in Saturday’s closely-contested Serie A fixture. Thiago Motta’s side left it late to beat 10-man opposition at the Allianz Stadium, requiring Mario Gila’s 85th-minute own goal to claim a precious triumph.
It was never supposed to be a field day for Juventus. However, after Alessio Romagnoli’s red card in the 24th minute, the record-time Italian champions should’ve had a clear path to victory. It was anything but plain sailing for the home team.
Despite generating 69% possession and 1.58 xG, Juventus couldn’t break down Lazio’s stubborn defense until Gila gave them a helping hand down the final stretch. It wasn’t a convincing performance from the Bianconeri by any stretch of the imagination.
But they returned to winning ways after a 1-1 draw against Cagliari before the international break. As a result of their unbeaten Serie A start under Thiago Motta, Juventus spent the night at the table’s summit, albeit level on points with Napoli, who will meet Empoli this afternoon.
“We found a team that closed very well, it wasn’t easy,” the Juventus head coach told Sky Sport, as reported by Gianluca Di Marzio. “Sometimes the boys have been a bit frantic: better to create one opportunity than to create five for nothing.
“The goal came at the right time but it’s not easy to score against a team like this. Deserved victory,” Motta insisted.
After another clean sheet in Serie A, Juventus can look forward to their upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Stuttgart.
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