Dejan Kulusevski, Alvaro Morata and Weston McKennie were on target as Juventus beat Genoa 3-1 on Sunday afternoon to close the gap to AC Milan to one point.
Juventus were up and running just four minutes into the game as Dejan Kulusevski found the back of the net after a fine piece of play by Juan Cuadrado. Halfway through the first half, the Bianconeri doubled their lead through Alvaro Morata who swept the ball home after Federico Chiesa had his shot saved and Cristiano Ronaldo struck the woodwork from the rebound.
Genoa forced their way back into the game early in the second period as Gianluca Scamacca headed home from a corner to halve the deficit. Juventus, however, kept the pressure on the visitors and substitute Weston McKennie made it 3-1 in the 70th-minute mark to restore Juve’s two-goal cushion. Both teams had a few half-chances late in the game but a goal wasn’t forthcoming as Juve held on for a victory.
The result sees the reigning champions move to within one point of second-placed AC Milan in the Serie A standings. And here’s how we rated the performances of Andrea Pirlo’s men on Sunday.
Wojciech Szczesny: 6/10
Not a lot to do in the first half but was alert to stop Scamacca close to half-time. Couldn’t have done much to stop the Genoa striker from scoring early in the second period. Did well to stop a goal-bound effort from Marko Pjaca soon after.
Juan Cuadrado: 6.5/10
Lively on the right flank as usual and demonstrated great willingness to get forward. Lovely footwork before laying on the assist for Kulusevski’s goal. Booked for a handball and taken off at half-time, perhaps as a precaution. Completed two key passes and three dribbles.
Juan Cuadrado has more assists than any other Juventus player in all competitions this season (13).
His third assist in his last five games. pic.twitter.com/OmqlxNvsAF
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 11, 2021
Matthijs de Ligt: 6/10
Solid for the most part, the Dutchman read the danger well and was alert to stop it from developing. However, could have done better to stop Scamacca from scoring the goal in the second period. Precise with his distribution from the back as usual.
Giorgio Chiellini: 6/10
The Juventus captain had a few issues coping with Scamacca and then with Pjaca after the break. But did well to ensure that the goal was not breached again, finishing with four clearances and an interception.
Danilo: 7/10
An impressive display from the Brazilian. Starting at left-back on the afternoon, Danilo was really solid at the back letting little get past him. Switched to right-back after Cuadrado’s substitution and continued in the same manner. Laid on the assist for McKennie’s goal to kill off the tie. Played three key passes and made five clearances. A good, all-round display.
Dejan Kulusevski: 7/10
Dejan Kulusevski has scored his first Serie A goal since the 27th January against Spal.
His fourth league goal of the season. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/drkfsQ7YBv
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 11, 2021
Having been at the receiving end of some criticism of late for his performances, the Swede stepped up and delivered on Sunday. Looked positive from the start and got Juventus up and running with a good finish. Was a threat each time he got on the ball and drove at the opposition defence. Finished with a goal, a key pass and one dribble completed.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 6/10
A so-so performance from the South American who occasionally showed his quality on the ball, playing a game-high five key passes but at the same time was also slack in possession on quite a few occasions. Not stretched a great deal defensively.
Adrien Rabiot: 6.5/10
Worked hard in the box-to-box role to ensure Juventus stayed on the front-foot. Had a shot saved in the first half and made some important ball recoveries as well, completing four tackles and two interceptions. Not the most impactful and faded a bit after the break but still a fairly solid display from the Frenchman.
Federico Chiesa: 7/10
Tireless and full of energy, the Italian pressed the opposition high and forced turnovers before running at the backline with intent. One such move led to the second goal for Juventus as his initial shot was parried into Ronaldo, who hit the post before Morata scored. Created the chance for Rabiot in the first half. Growing into a pivotal player for Pirlo.
Alvaro Morata: 7/10
Alvaro Morata has now been directly involved in 17 league goals for Juventus this season.
Three more than he was involved in during his last campaign with Atletico. pic.twitter.com/bVHw3VtTGT
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 11, 2021
Showed his poacher’s instincts to pounce on the rebound and score the second goal for Juventus. Linked up well with those around him for the most part and also played in a couple of key passes before making way for Paulo Dybala.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 5.5/10
Inexplicably struck the post from just yards out after Chiesa’s shot had been parried right to him. Luckily for him Morata was at hand to turn the ball home. Completed each of his five dribble attempts but those amounted to little on the day. Fired an effort just wide in the second half. Looked scratchy for the most part.
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Sandro: 5.5/10
Defended stoutly but failed to offer much in the way of attacking contribution after replacing Cuadrado at half-time.
Paulo Dybala: 6/10
On for Morata in the 68th minute, Dybala had a few positive moments in the final third, playing a key pass and having a shot blocked.
Weston McKennie: 7/10
Weston McKennie scored his 5th league goal of season for Italian powerhouse Juventus. 22-Year-Old from Little Elm, TX subbed in 68th min. Held off defender and finished confidently in 70th. Caps incredible weekend for the young American wave in Europe ??? pic.twitter.com/TX85MWbl28
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) April 11, 2021
Replaced Kulusevski in the 68th minute and looked lively. Took him just two minutes to be involved in a big moment in the game as he scored the all-important third goal to kill the game off. Made one key pass and completed a couple of tackles.
Arthur Melo: N/A
On for Chiesa for the final fifteen minutes. Good run out.
Aaron Ramsey: N/A
Came on for Rabiot with less than ten minutes left.
