Juventus 2-0 Lazio
A goal in either half courtesy of Miralem Pjanic and Mario Mandzukic gave Juventus a relatively comfortable win over potential title rivals Lazio.
It was a consummate display by the Bianconeri to make it two wins from two for the defending champions. But for Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio, it’s back-to-back defeats as they aim to, at least, win a top-four place.
A catastrophic end to last season has left Inzaghi’s team in the Europa League and he’ll be desperate to avoid a continued slow start. But for Juve, it’s so far so good. It wasn’t an easy start for the Bianconeri as they came out on top of a five-goal match at Chievo, but this result was rather more as the pundits predicted.
The Serie A circus was around Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, as the big signing of the summer made his home debut at the Juventus Stadium alongside the returning Leonardo Bonucci. The passionate home supporters got the result they wanted.
Highlights of the game
SBOBET Serie A fans love this fixture, one which Lazio won last year. There is never a shortage of quality, and with the likes of Ciro Immobile and Ronaldo on the pitch, we were guaranteed some scintillating football.
Federico Bernardeschi, who had impressed in pre-season, was the first to provide a chance for Juve: he crossed for Ronaldo, but the Portuguese star headed wide.
After one season at Milan, the return to Turin of Leonardo Bonnucci was big Serie A 2018 news. He received a rapturous reception from the home fans as he took his place at the heart of the Bianconeri defence, and he was pretty busy in the early stages as Lazio came out on the attack. Senad Lulic and Adam Marusic had shots on goal, but Juve keeper Wojciech Szczęsny was equal to both.
Bernardeschi was lively, and he fired towards the top corner only to see his effort tipped over by Lazio stopper Thomas Strakosha.
Sami Khedira also tried his luck as Juve stepped up a gear, and the opening goal came on the half-hour courtesy of Miralem Pjanic as the Bosnian fired an arrow from outside the box low into the bottom corner.
Last season’s joint-top scorer in Serie A, Ciro Immobile, was one of the best players in the league, and he will always be a threat, trying hard to draw the visitors level but firing just wide. At the other end, Ronaldo brought a save from Strakosha with a smart effort.
At 1-0 at the break, Inzaghi wasn’t too disappointed with his side’s efforts; they were well in the game despite Juventus having the better chances. And he would have reminded his players that, in the corresponding fixture last season, Juventus led 1-0 at the break before Lazio came back to win 1-2.
Juventus were having none of it, though, and a cunning piece of play from Ronaldo put Mario Mandzukic in when he stepped over the ball. But the big Croatian striker made a complete hash of it.
That seemed to give Lazio some belief, and they pinned the Bianconeri back in their own half, enjoying plenty of possession. And they came close to an equaliser when Luis Alberto fired just wide.
But the Bianconeri weathered the storm, and the home fans stood in anticipation when Juventus won a free-kick some 25 yards out in perfect range for Ronaldo. But the Hundred Million Euro man couldn’t beat the wall. His frustration continued minutes later as a header flew wide. With 20 minutes to go, Allegri brought Emre Can on to replace Pjanic, and the goalscorer received a standing ovation.
And they were on their feet again moments later when Ronaldo hit a brilliant dipping shot which brought an equally superb save from Strakosha. But any thoughts of him saving the visitors disappeared on 74 minutes when Mandzukic made amends for his earlier gaffe.
This time, it was Ronaldo who made a mess letting the ball bounce off his heel when he looked set to score, and Mandzukic was delighted to pick up the pieces and smash the ball home.
Key Statistics
Lazio lost their opening game to Napoli last week so they are yet to get off the mark in Serie A, but they gave it a good go at the Juventus Stadium.
The Bianconeri dominated possession in the first half with 67 per cent of the ball, but Lazio had a share of the chances which stood at seven each at the break.
The visitors enjoyed more possession after half-time, ending the game with 45 per cent, as they tried to work their way back into the game. But Juventus were much more potent in front of goal, winning the shot count by 16 to nine and crucially with six shots on target to Lazio’s two.
What’s next?
Both Juventus and Lazio are up against newly promoted sides next week, and Serie A 2018 odds will point to two comfortable wins.
It’s the Ennio Tardini for Juventus as they go to Parma, and I expect another three points for Max Allegri’s men.
And then, Lazio are at home to Frosinone on Sunday, and they desperately need to win that one. I think they will. Inzaghi’s team didn’t play badly tonight. They were just up against the best.
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