Juventus 3-1 Cagliari
The scoreline suggests a one-sided affair, but it was never an easy win for Juventus after Cagliari made them work hard throughout 90 minutes of Serie A football.
Although Juve scored less than one minute into the game, the defending Italian top-flight champions failed to build on their hot start and needed a Cagliari own goal and a late, late strike to fend off a spirited Rossublu side that didn’t back down against the giants in front of them.
It was a well-deserved three points for Max Allegri’s men, who stayed six points clear at the top of the league table. However, they certainly have a lot to learn from their performance.
Highlights of the game
Juventus couldn’t wish for a better start when Paulo Dybala struck under a minute into the game. Nonetheless, what seemed to be a game headed to a comfortable Juve victory with plenty of goals turned into a grinder as Cagliari held on and gave the hosts a good run for their money.
The visitors even equalised in the closing stages of the first half, albeit only for a brief moment as an own goal from Filip Bradaric put the home team back in front before the break.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was presented with a celebratory shirt before kick-off to commemorate his 400-plus top-flight goals, hit the woodwork but failed to find the back of the net for his new club. The 33-year-old, though, did set up Juan Cuadrado for their final goal to pull away from Cagliari for good.
Dybala needed just 42 seconds to set the Allianz Stadium on fire, showing good movement with his feet and some finesse skills to give Juve the opener.
After receiving a pass from Rodrigo Betancur on the edge of the box, the 24-year-old star fended off his defender with a fake turn before striking the ball—and slipping—with a right-footed shot past keeper Alessio Cragno.
Cagliari, nevertheless, fought back mightily and were presented with a golden chance on 19 minutes after an appeal for handball was turned down. A lobbed pass into the box following a throw-in saw Leonardo Pavoletti hit the ball from point-blank range, but Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was at the right place at the right time to block the shot.
The visitors wouldn’t be denied of a goal though, and they deservedly levelled matters after Joao Pedro perfectly controlled a Darijo Srna cross. The 26-year-old midfielder received the cross with a brilliant first touch before firing a low drive through the legs of Joao Cancelo and past Szczesny.
Cagliari’s celebration didn’t last long, no thanks to a gifted goal from Bradaric two minutes later. Bradaric had no one contesting for Douglas Costa’s low cross from the left wing, but the Croatian midfielder instead slid and diverted the ball to his own net.
The second half was pretty much the same as the opening frame, with Cagliari answering back to anything that Juve threw at them. Fortunately for the Bianconeri, they also limited the visitors’ offensive options and eventually found their third goal to deny the Sardinians any chance of a comeback.
Ronaldo, who hit the post at the stroke of halftime, made sure he would be in the Serie A 2018 highlights of the week as he teed up an unmarked Cuadrado off the counter-attack.
Allegri was unhappy with their performance and demanded more defence from his team, but he and Juve would gladly take all the points especially after a day that saw title chasers Napoli and Inter Milan score five goals each in their respective games.
Key statistics
The pre-match Serie A 2018 odds at SBOBET pointed to a Juve win, but not this kind of victory.
Allegri’s side controlled proceedings and was unmistakably the better team, as what the post-game statistics suggest. They had 61 percent possession and 11 shots, with five on target. In contrast, Cagliari finished with only three on-target efforts out of four shot attempts.
Nevertheless, Cagliari showed great defensive stability and forced Juve to a total of 21 lost balls. They were also more physical, as their 15 fouls and three bookings show.
The victory allowed Juventus to remain unbeaten in the league though, winning 10 games and drawing just once.
What’s next?
Juventus host Manchester United next in the Champions League. The Old Lady of Italy have already defeated the Red Devils in their meeting at Old Trafford earlier last month, and victory at home will all but assure their place in the next round.
After that, Juve visit AC Milan next as they continue their quest for an eighth straight Scudetto.
Meanwhile, Cagliari will hope to bounce back against SPAL next Sunday.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
