Thiago Motta’s reign at Juventus got off to the perfect start last week against Como at home and they continued their quick start away at Stadio Bentegodi tonight with a 0-3 win as a Vlahovic double helps see off Verona.
A slow start threatened to put the crowd to sleep but those who stuck around were treated to two great goals from the Bianconeri before the break.
Juventus Player Ratings vs Verona: Vlahovic Opens Account in Style
Vlahovic Breaks the Deadlock
18 minutes in a soaring Lorenzo Montipò denied Manuel Locatelli the opener but Juve slowly grew into the game and took advantage of sloppy Verona play that was the exact opposite of their barnstormer victory over Napoli last week.
Dusan Vlahovic and Nicolò Savona were trying to get some link up play going and after the former put the ball in the net from an offside position his Serbian strike partner broke the deadlock.
Ondrej Duda took too much tike on the ball in midfield and was dispossessed easily by Locatelli. Kenan Yildiz picked it up and played in Vlahovic. With a sidefooted strike he put his side in the driving seat.
Anytime Verona ventured forward they let themselves down with slow and inaccurate passing. At the back they were extremely easy to play through, letting Juventus double their advantage six minutes before the break.
Savona Doubles the Lead
Samuel Mbangula maintained his starting spot tonight and again repaid Motta’s belief in dividends. The 20 year old found space on the left and swung a cross to the back post.
Savona rose highest and his looping header tricked Montipò. The keeper should’ve done better but instead waited for contact from the charging Vlahovic that never came. Instead the ball bounced in-between both and into the net.
Verona’s confidence took a massive hit from this and their play often lacked in cohesion afterward.
Vlahovic Double Helps Down Verona
Any comeback hopes harbored by the home side were swiftly extinguished 52 minutes in.
Mbangula again proved useful when drawing a clumsy and unnecessary tackle from Jackson Tchatchoua in the penalty area. The defender dove in and got none of the ball but all of the man. He was booked and referee Antonio Giua pointed to the spot.
Vlahovic stepped up to take the kick. Put simply, he went right and Montipò went left. At 0-3 the game was beyond this Verona side who were pinned back with ease.
Juve didn’t over exert themselves and Kenan Yildiz came closest on the hour mark but put his effort straight at the goalie.
Chances were few and far between for the home side, the closest they came was a hopeful effort from Tomas Suslov at a free kick and a weak wide shot from substitute Abdou Harroui. It took them until the 85th minute to get a shot on goal.
Tchatchoua slipped a pass to Harroui and forced Michele Di Gregorio into his first and last save of the night. Surprisingly he hadn’t gone home early.
Verona have showed two very different sides in the opening weeks so we’ll have to wait and see which one is the real them. Juventus will not care about that as their fun start to life under Motta continues. A potentially tougher test versus Roma awaits next week.
If Vlahovic can continue his early form everyone is in trouble.
MATCH SCORECARD
August 26, 2024 – Serie A 2024/25 Round 2
VERONA – JUVENTUS 0-3
SCORERS: 28′ Vlahovic, 39′ Savona, 53′ Vlahovic pen.
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VERONA (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Dawidowicz, Coppola, Magnani (57′ Frese); Tchatchoua, Belahyane, Duda (85′ Silva), Lazovic (64′ Harroui); Suslov, Livramento (57′ Alidou); Mosquera (57′ Tengstedt) Coach: Zanetti |
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JUVENTUS (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona (77′ Kalulu), Gatti (85′ Danilo), Bremer, Cabal (77′ Rouhi); Locatelli, Fagioli; Cambiaso (85′ Anghelè), Yildiz, Mbangula (69′ Douglas Luiz); Vlahovic Coach: Thiago Motta |
REFEREE: Mr. Giua from Olbia
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Tchatchoua, Duda (V)