Debutants Dusan Vlahovic and Denis Zakaria were on target as Juventus moved into the top four with a comfortable win over Hellas Verona.
Juventus debutants Dusan Vlahovic and Denis Zakaria passed their first test with flying colours. The duo netted on the night to ensure the Bianconeri moved into the top four spots.
It was a busy summer at the Allianz Stadium, with several players arriving and several departing. The high profile capture of Vlahovic was easily the biggest transfer deal in Italian football last month, and it is clear to see why the Serb is so highly regarded.
The 22-year-old is an improvement over Alvaro Morata, and it showed. It took Vlahovic all but 13 minutes to break the deadlock and start his Juventus career in style. Paulo Dybala was the one who sent the striker clear in a one on one, and with Vlahovic, there is just one winner.
Both Vlahovic and Morata went close several times, but the Bianconeri could not find a second goal before the break. Now playing a creator’s role, Dybala looked like a man possessed as he threaded through opportunities for the two frontmen.
FULL TIME @ Allianz Stadium!
Esordio con gol per #DV7.
Esordio con gol per @Deniszakaria8.La serata che volevamo. ⚪⚫
A casa nostra, con voi. ❤#JuveVerona #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/xVhVU1PDoR— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) February 6, 2022
Hellas Verona offered more of a challenge after the break, but Zakaria’s 61st minute strike settled the tie. It was one of Juventus’s finest performances in a season where they have often been found lacking.
Although they broke into the top four at the expense of Atalanta, La Dea have a game in hand and could regain the fourth spot should they win. Given how quickly their recruits have settled down, Allegri will hope that his side goes on to end the season strong and earn themselves a Champions League spot. The Hard Tackle looks at how the Juventus players fared on the night.
Wojciech Szczesny: 6/10
The Polish international had a quiet day at the office and had little to do on the night. Hellas Verona improved after the break but could not put together much that troubled the Juventus number one.
Danilo: 7/10
The right-back was excellent at attacking and defending and was a solid presence down the flank. Darko Lazovic had him beat once in the second half, but the Brazilian recovered well and did not give an inch after that. He almost created a third goal thanks to a booming forward run but Dybala’s strike was well saved.
Matthijs de Ligt: 6/10
The Dutchman had a comfortable night out and was barely troubled by the opposition. He did make one rash challenge but got away with it as Hellas Verona were comfortably the second-best throughout the night.
Giorgio Chiellini: 8/10
Hellas Verona did not offer much, and even if they did, Chiellini was there to snuff it out. The veteran organised the backline well and barely ceded an inch all night. He might be getting old, but Chiellini still has a fair bit of football left in him.
Mattia De Sciglio: 7/10
A solid performance by the left-back who was defensively solid and offered something going forward. He constantly got the better of Fabio Depaoli, who even had to resort to a yellow card worthy offence to stop the Juventus star in his tracks.
Denis Zakaria: 7/10
The Swiss international took some time to make his mark on the game, but it is clear that he offers to the Juventus midfield. A dynamic presence in the middle of the park, Zakaria scored his side’s second of the night before going off injured. It did not look too bad, and Juventus will hope he returns for the Coppa Italia quarter-final vs Sassuolo on Thursday.
2 – Thanks to #Vlahovic and #Zakaria, two players have scored a goal in their debut match for #Juventus in Serie A for the second time in three points for a win era (since 1994-95), after Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner v Parma in September 2011. Ready.#JuventusVerona
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) February 6, 2022
Arthur: 7/10
A fine performance by the former Barcelona man who looked set to leave the club in January. He appears to have formed a good rapport with Zakaria and produced superb movement and touches. Tidy in possession, Arthur kept the ball ticking as Juventus looked to see the game out.
Adrien Rabiot: 7/10
The Frenchman looked up for the game and put in a tidy performance that ticked all the boxes. He came close to scoring Juventus’s third on the night but had his strike saved by Lorenzo Montipo.
Paulo Dybala: 8/10
The Argentine started at the tip of the Juventus midfield, and it is clear that this is his best position. He linked up well with Vlahovic and Morata and even went close several times himself. This understanding could be key to Juventus ending the season strongly, and it remains to be seen if it will be enough for the club to cede to Dybala’s demands regarding a new contract.
Dusan Vlahovic: 8/10
The prolific Serb took just 13 minutes to break the deadlock in a dream debut. Vlahovic took his chance well and even went close on several other occasions. If anything, Vlahovic’s presence also appears to have brought Morata back to life while shifting Dybala to his much more effective creative role in midfield. If this was a sign of things to come, Juventus could be in for an exciting end to the season.
18 – Dusan #Vlahovic has scored 18 league goals this term, only fewer than Robert #Lewandowski (24) in the Big-5 European Leagues 2021-22. Unstoppable.#JuventusVerona #SerieA pic.twitter.com/FiIFC7dkac
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) February 6, 2022
Alvaro Morata: 7/10
The Spaniard is often guilty of being inconsistent, but he put his best foot forward on the night. Morata linked up well with Vlahovic and even went close himself on several occasions. It could be an exciting month ahead for the Atletico Madrid loanee.
SUBSTITUTES
Daniele Rugani: 6/10
Rugani replaced Chiellini in the 75th minute as Allegri rung in the changes. He did not have much to do as both sides pretty much appeared to have accepted the result.
Juan Cuadrado: 6/10
Cuadrado replaced the excellent Dybala but failed to continue from where the Argentine had left off. Tidy but unspectacular.
Weston McKennie: N/A
McKennie brought in some fresh energy onto the field after replacing Zakaria late on.
Moise Kean: N/A
Kean was handed a runout in Morata’s place in the 83rd minute. He coasted through the night and had to do little with the game all wrapped up.
