In the sign of Paulo Dybala. Don't mind Massimiliano Allegri, but the victory over Atalanta belongs above all to the young Argentine, at the center of numerous discussions during the week and a great protagonist on Sunday for Juventus. The attentions were all for him, left on the bench both against Inter and in the Champions League and called to meet expectations. Mission accomplished, no doubt about it. A goal (the first from open play in the league), an assist, a penalty obtained (later missed by Pogba): if Allegri wanted answers, he certainly won't have been disappointed.
“He's a top-level player, it's normal that great things are always expected from him – commented the coach at the press conference. – On the eve I got angry because all these controversies could put too much pressure on him, he is a 21-year-old boy and it is normal that he has to grow tactically. Compared to Palermo, he plays in a different role, it will be up to me to manage him in the best possible way ”.
A lot of Dybala in short, but not only. Yesterday, for the first time in this championship, Juventus won without risking practically anything: a normal thing in last season, much less so in the current one. Allegri, also by virtue of the imminent midweek round (Wednesday in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo), changed a few men (outside Barzagli, Cuadrado and Morata, inside Padoin, Pereyra and Dybala) but above all the formation, back on 4-3- 1-2 of the past.
The result, net of Atalanta's bad day, was more than positive. Intense, square and, finally, dangerous team. A man between the lines like Pereyra (who went off in the 37th minute with a muscle injury) is good for both the midfielders and the two forwards. Not surprisingly, after several matches with wet powder, both scored again yesterday. First Dybala (28', shot from the edge of the area with the complicity of Sportiello), then Mandzukic (49', winning tap-in on an assist from the Argentine himself), in the middle and after many other occasions demonstrating the serene afternoon of all the team.
The result could have been even more rounded if Pogba, in the 79th minute, hadn't had a penalty saved, thus continuing his negative momentum. Not bad, there will be a way to make up for it on more important occasions. Meanwhile, Juve are enjoying a very precious victory which makes their ranking a little more dignified (there are now 8 points from the top) and, above all, restores peace of mind to an environment not used to losing.
The first "final" of the week is gone, now the other two are coming with Sassuolo and Turin. Six days to understand if the comeback intentions, clearly reaffirmed by the club and the coach, can really come true.
