Palermo 0-3 Juventus

Scorers:  Mandzukic 54 (J), Sturaro 90 (J), Zaza 93 (J)

Serie A Week 14 –  Sunday, 29th November- 19:45 GMT – Stadio Renzo Barbera

Mario Mandzukic, Stefano Sturaro and Simone Zaza scored the goals for Juventus in a 3-0 of Palermo.

Entering this game with a semblance of form and confidence after despatching Man City mid-week and our recent results – if not our performances – improving domestically Allegri decided to stick with the 3-5-2 swapping only the wide men. In came Evra and Cuadrado for Lichsteiner and Sandro.

Setting themselves up in a diamond formation in the middle, Palermo came out the traps with eagerness and belief. The first ten minutes were even if not finding the home side in the ascendency, yet no major chances were created. After which we began to impose ourselves upon proceedings, working the ball left then right then left then right, hoping to make inroads through the open flanks.

Whilst we were in control, we were not making many chances, forced to bypass the middle of the park and fling balls into the box or hope that Cuadrado could beat his man and create a goal scoring opportunity. For himself or others.

We improved after the break, mainly through attrition. Palermo became less composed, sat back and waited for the faltering counters, of which, only a chance for Giardino registered as any real threat. It took a wonderful cross from Dybala to open the scoring; the giant Mandzukic – whose movement was decent throughout – forcing the issue at the back post for 0-1. After which confidence grew in the ranks. A flurry of half chances appeared yet it wasn’t until very late on with Zaza and Morata showing fresh legs that we made the most of our technical superiority.

0-3 seemed a little harsh on Palermo yet we deserved the victory with a composed, ultra solid showing. It bodes well to see us regaining solidity at the back with a well earned clean sheet and to continue this undefeated cycle, which now stretches back to the 1-0 loss to Sassuolo in late October. One defeat in twelve, creeping up the league table, progression in Europe. The future looks much more pleasant than a month back.

 5 Positives:

1. Stefano Sturaro –  A bright spark in midfield for the second game in a row. The kind of strong tackling, ball winning midfielder you need when you’re missing a certain Chilean from seasons past. His crosses were pretty special as well, not to mention that brilliantly taken goal – All in all, a player who is becoming a firm favourite while making a strong case for his inclusion in the next few matches.

2. Mandzukic scores – Leave him alone in the box and he’ll try his best to bully defenders. Give him a decent cross, some actual quality service, and he’ll make something from the chance. Two games and two goals in a row, you can see why Allegri prefers to start him alongside Dybala.

3. Another win – Four wins in a row and Juve are up to 5th in the league. A month ago, we were in twelth and people were calling for Allegri to be axed. Two very tough games ahead of us, but theres a certain momentum building with this team, backed up by the kind of confidence that comes from scoring three goals without reply.

4. A clean sheet – Three clean sheets in a row and we’re up to third in the ranking for fewest goals conceded. Whisper it *looks like Juve might be back*

5. Allegri – Another game, another perfecty deployed team and a well excuted game plan. He knew he had it right from the start, the team started to click into place as the game wore on and before you know it, we’re 3-0 up and Simone Zaza is scoring. Well done Mister !

 Statistics:

Man of the Match: Stefano Sturaro

  Flop of the Match: N/A

  Corners: 7

  Pass Accuracy: 88%

  Shots on Target: 4

  Total Shots: 16

  Ball Possession: 59%

  Formation:  3-5-2

 Formation:

Lineups:

Palermo: Sorrentino; Struna (Rispoli 74), Goldaniga, Gonzalez, Lazaar; Hiljemark (Quaison 60), Jajalo, Chochev; Brugman; Vazquez, Gilardino (Trajkovski 66)

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Cuadrado (Lichtsteiner 68), Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic (Morata 66), Dybala (Zaza 83)

Ref: Valeri

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