Maximum result, minimum effort. Juventus restarts exactly as it finished, that is
beating a team wearing a red and blue shirt 1-0. On Epiphany day it was Cagliari ad
surrender, yesterday instead it was the turn of Ballardini's Genoa to see for themselves how much it could be
merciless the law of the Lady.
The success will certainly not go down in history for fun and entertainment, on the contrary: the match was rather boring and the chances to score (on both sides) could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The legs packed by the call of preparation and the absences of some very important men such as Dybala and Cuadrado ended up having an impact more than they should, so much so that Juve, despite not conceding shots on goal, ended up suffering the solid and tough Genoa finish in defense but definitely not pungent in attack.
What mattered most of all, however, was to win so as not to let Napoli escape and the objective, albeit with a few more worries than expected, was achieved: the Azzurri remained first, the Bianconeri followed just behind.
“These 3 points were really very important – confirmed Allegri. – The ending could be managed
better but we were tired from the weekly loads. In any case we have not conceded
practically nothing at Genoa, so we can be satisfied”.
Instead, no response to Sarri on the calendar issue (the Neapolitan coach complained about the times chosen by the League, which in the next 8 days will see Juve always play before Napoli), testifying to an environment more concentrated on the pitch than on words. After all, the Bianconeri are a real war machine, capable of winning even when not at their best, either from a physical or men's point of view.
A good start was enough to beat Genoa which led to Douglas Costa's goal (16', close tap-in on Mandzukic's assist), after which the match was basically managed. Finding the 2-0 would have ended all discussions, instead the result remained in the balance and in the final Genoa, even without concluding towards Szczesny's goal, gave the Stadium chills with a couple of dirty balls that could have changed the film . Instead it didn't happen and Juve enjoyed their fifth consecutive victory, three of which were 1-0. The show can improve but to win the Scudetto, you know, points are enough.
