Paulo Dybala’s left-foot scorcher and a smart Alvaro Morata flick at the near post gave Juventus victory over Salernitana, but Dybala also missed a penalty.
The Bianconeri were in dire form after a home defeat to Atalanta, their fifth Serie A loss of the season, and 4-0 Champions League humiliation at Chelsea. Federico Chiesa was ruled out until the New Year, with Weston McKennie, Danilo, Mattia De Sciglio and Aaron Ramsey also injured. Salernitana were rock bottom with Cagliari and missed Mamadou Coulibaly and Franck Ribery, with Cedric Gondo not fully fit.
The clubs exchanged shirts before kick-off, remembering Salerno-born former Juventus player Andrea Fortunato, who died of leukaemia in April 1995.
Paulo Dybala and Dejan Kulusevski had solo efforts, while Nwankwo Simy’s header whistled just wide.
Juve broke the deadlock when Dybala played a quick one-two with Kulusevski on the edge of the box and smashed in the left-foot rocket first-time into the far bottom corner.
The Bianconeri had the ball in the net for a second time on 28 minutes. Juan Cuadrado’s cheeky free kick went straight for the near post, came off the upright, was cleared off the line by Riccardo Gagliolo and Giorgio Chiellini turned in the rebound. However, it was disallowed using VAR because Moise Kean was in an offside position and interfering with play, as he prevented Gagliolo from making it a stronger clearance.
Rodrigo Bentancur blasted over the bar, but Salernitana were incredibly unlucky not to equalise on 58 minutes when Luca Ranieri’s angled drive beat Wojciech Szczesny and bounced off the inside of the far post, the ricochet taking it out of the goal.
Another Salernitana move broke down because Milan Djuric was in a tangle with Matthijs de Ligt and Chiellini.
Somewhat against the run of play, Juve doubled their lead. Dybala floated a ball to the by-line for Federico Bernardeschi, his cross-shot was deflected and Alvaro Morata smartly flicked it through the goalkeeper’s legs at the near post with the sole of his boot. The Spaniard had only been on the pitch for three minutes.
Norbert Gyomber’s header hit the side-netting, while Dybala fired at Vid Belec when sent clear by Morata’s through ball.
Deep into stoppages, Morata was brought down by a mistimed Gyomber lunge. Dybala stepped up, but slipped horribly on the spot and sent the penalty into the sky with the last kick of the game.
Salernitana 0-2 Juventus
Dybala 21 (J), Morata 70 (J)
Missed penalty: Dybala 94 (J)
It’s about time, we thought you would end up in the streets.
It’s all about discipline, Nedved and Allegri take out the whip and then they win games.
Pls get rid of the sauces and pizzas Conte is correct what is this a hotel they’re supposed to be athletes
Another bad game, Juve only won as their opponent was absolute garbage. They even almost scored an equalizer.
Also, classic Juve after scoring almost conceded immediately, but was offside in the end.
There is tactical and mental issues here. Juve plays slow, uninspired and obvious.
And then they can’t even hit the target mostly and are very prone in defense. I couldn’t even witness a difference in technical skills between all players. Bentancur definitely has to go.
And it’s a shame Allegri doesn’t use talents more. He has no trust
Look at English teams what they produced in the academies.
@chpo Probably their best performance attacking wise albeit against the bottom side. Chiesa in for Bernadeschi and that is their best line up.
I don’t understand the criticism of Bentancur. Has been quiet in the last month but he and Locatelli looked good together. Better than the other options they have.
@Lynchy, Bentancur is weak mentally and will never be 1st option. Wait until you see Arthur learns to pass the ball vertically and speed up his ball execution. I believe in theory, Locatelli and Arthur will form Juve’s solid midfield shortly.
@El Cid not sure what basis you can judge his mentality from. But would like to see more of Arthur definitely.
@Lynchy Bentancur used to be good before Sarri hit, same with Bernadeschi. Now he ia slow, bad choices, can’t hit the target. In CM Arthur or McKennie are much better choices. Even Fagioli should return this winter and he could be a starting player already. Superior skills!
@chpo I honestly think Bentancur has been our best CM for the last few years. Has the odd poor game but I feel the criticism is over the top.
Would love to see Fagioli back but I think we all know it’s unlikely with Allegri around.
McKennie is a massive weakness I think. Clueless on the ball. Weak technically. Only good thing he can do is run and win the ball back.
@Lynchy Sorry, but I can’t see it. Unless, Bentancur is getting his old Form back, he is useless. Seems to me he has no passion anymore.
Yes, McKennie has some technical issues, but taking runs offensively, plays even nice long passes, many direct ones in CM to speed up the game, shoots on target, even scores and is strong in headers. No doubt he needs improvement, but atm he is a starter, unquestionable.
Regarding Fagioli, even Pogba had one year before he actually played. Allegri is a coward in a way.
There is also Vrioni and others to work with. Miretti, Soule, Kaio, Rovella.