In a historic clash at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Juventus managed to prolong their stay atop the Serie A table with a convincing 4-1 victory over city rivals Torino.
Paul Pogba opened the scoring after Paulo Dybala was subbed off due to injury, allowing the young Frenchman to step up and handle free kick duties. His lovely curling effort sailed past Toro keeper Daniele Padelli and into the back of the net.
Minutes later it was Sami Khedira whose bursting run into the box and low finish doubled the away side’s advantage going into half time.
Not long into the second half, Toro full-back Bruno Peres was brought down by Juve defender Alex Sandro in the box, earning his side a penalty and the chance to break Gianluigi Buffon’s incredible run of minutes without conceding, a Serie A record which the 38-year-old had set earlier in the game. Andrea Belotti stepped up and sent Buffon to the opposite side of the goal, bringing his side back into the game at 2-1 and ending Buffon’s record at 973 minutes.
Later, Torino were controversially ruled offside for a goal Maxi Lopez had scored after his side had all the momentum. Substitute Alvaro Morata effectively ended the game with his lovely finish past Padelli off the brilliant Pogba assist, giving Juve a 3-1 lead.
Morata then doubled his tally with a calm tap-in to give Juventus a 4-1 win and temporary six-point lead over second-placed Napoli.
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Sorry Serie A fans, the Juventus winning cycle is far from over
If this week proved anything for Juve fans, it is that the club has a bright, bright future ahead.
Minutes away from knocking out arguably the world’s second-best team with three of your best players out, is quite the effort for a team considered to be in transition after losing a host of stars after last season. To follow up, Pogba scored a beautiful goal of his own in the Derby della Mole and provided two assists. Another of their brightest talents, Morata, managed two goals in the derby and was Juve’s best midweek against Bayern.
Although many of their best players are young, they have proved quite reliable with Paulo Dybala having a remarkable debut season and Pogba looking more and more comfortable handling the pressure that comes with the number 10 jersey at Juventus. Daniele Rugani is another who looks to have an extremely big career ahead of him, stepping in brilliantly in the absence of Giorgio Chiellini and helping Juventus to victory against Torino.
Juve played with a point to prove
The midweek loss to Bayern served as motivation for Juve heading into their away clash to Torino. Just about every Juve fan would had to have known their side would bring its best and look to dominate the game.
Aside from the early stages of the second half, Allegri’s men did just that and dominated the clash. They are a resilient bunch, a point that has been well and truly consolidated over their five-year period of success, a mentality instilled by former manager Antonio Conte and one that still runs rampant under Massimiliano Allegri.
Even at 38, Gianluigi Buffon continues to rewrite history
973 minutes without conceding is not only a testament to Buffon but also the Juve squad as a whole, as mentioned by the veteran himself post game via social media.
Ancora una volta numero UNO! #G1G1 #FinoAllaFine pic.twitter.com/0iExcmX80Z
— Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) March 20, 2016
The Juventus captain sent out a Facebook status thanking each and every one of his squad members specifically for helping him reach the milestone and dedicating it to the team. The ultimate professional, Buffon’s act was one of class and humility. Gigi was brilliant once again in the derby, pulling off a massive save in the second half to keep his side ahead.
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