28 September 2024
Juve return from Genoa with three points, three goals (a brace by Dusan Vlahovic and a late third from Francisco Conceicao) and a convincing victory, especially in the second half.
Only one thing continues to be a very positive constant: zero goals conceded in Serie A this season, a statistic that is becoming quite the talking point.
Here’s how the match unfolded:
A BALANCED FIRST HALF
The match was evenly balanced during the opening stages, with Genoa trying to make inroads down the right flank, but Jonas Rouhi was composed and precise defensively, blocking an attempted cross in the opening minutes. In the 3rd minute, Gleison Bremer did well to close down Vitinha, ensuring that the Bianconeri remained solid at the back.
Juventus initially struggled to find their rhythm in the game, but around the 18-minute mark they began to show more intensity. The first chance of note came in the 34th minute, when Vlahovic’s free-kick from the edge of the box flew over the crossbar. Just before the half time whistle, Nico Gonzalez created an excellent opportunity by dribbling through the opposition defence before seeing his deflected cross nearly catch Pierluigi Gollini off-guard in the Genoa goal.
The score remained 0-0 at half time after two minutes of added time and very little excitement in the first period.
DUSAN AT THE DOUBLE
The second half sprang into action almost immediately, and on the 47th minute Koni De Winter touched the ball with his arm in the box, which saw a penalty kick awarded to Juventus. Vlahovic made no mistake from the spot and put the Bianconeri ahead with a precise left-footed effort to beat Gollini.
Juventus grew in confidence and continued to attack. In the 54th minute, Vlahovic grabbed his brace to put Juve 2-0 up with another excellent left-footed finish, this time following an inch perfect assist from Teun Koopmeiners to split the Genoa defence.
THE CLOSING STAGES
Despite the two-goal lead, Juventus did not rest on their laurels and instead looked for a third. In the 64th minute, Koopmeiners hit the crossbar from just a few yards out after a fine run and cross by Conceicao, almost grabbing the goal that would have put the game to bed.
Genoa tried to fight back, but without causing the Bianconeri defence too many issues. It was only in the 80th minute that Lior Kasa had an effort on goal, but Mattia Perin was alert and saved it comfortably. Juve, on the other hand, had opportunities to increase their lead, especially in the 82nd minute through Vlahovic, whose header sailed just wide of the post.
The knockout blow came in the 90th minute courtesy of Conceicao following an excellent counter-attacking move.
The perfect game to set the team up for their midweek Champions League fixture.
GENOA 0-3 JUVENTUS
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Saturday 28 September, 2024 at 18:00 (CEST)
Match played behind closed doors.
Goals: 48’ Vlahovic (Pen.) (J), 55’ Vlahovic (J), 89’ Conceicao
Genoa: Gollini, De Winter, Bani, Vasquez, Zanoli (85’ Sabelli), Frendrup, Badelj (26’Bohinen), Miretti (69’ Kasa), Ahanor (69’ Matturo), Vitinha (69’ Ankeye), Pinamonti.
Unused Substitutes: Leali, Thorsby, Caricol, Vogliacco, Ekhator, Marcandalli, Sommariva.
Coach: Alberto Gilardino.
Juventus: Perin, Danilo, Bremer, Kalulu (74’ Savona), Rouhi (74’ Cambiaso), Fagioli, McKennie (62’ Douglas Luiz), Yildiz (74’ Thuram), Koopmeiners, Nico Gonzalez (62’ Conceicao), Vlahovic.
Unused Substitutes: Gatti, Locatelli, Pinsoglio, Di Gregorio, Cabal, Mbangula.
Coach: Thiago Motta.
Referee: Andrea Colombo
Assistants: Christian Rossi, Gamal Mokhtar
Fourth Official: Paride Tremolada
Bookings: 27’ Frendrup (G), 50’ Fagioli (J), 76’ Vasquez (G)
Next Match:
RB Leipzig-Juventus
UEFA Champions league
Wednesday, 2 October, 2024 at 21:00 (CEST)
Red Bull Arena Leipzig
