After three goalless draws, Juventus Turin has returned to winning ways in the Serie A. Dusan Vlahovic led the Bianconeri to victory in front of empty stands in Genoa.
After riots overshadowed the Derby della Lanterna – the city derby between first division side CFC Genoa and second division side Sampdoria – in the second round of the Coppa Italia last Wednesday, the home side had to play against record champions Juventus Turin without any supporters, with the game being played in front of an empty stadium.
In the eerie silence at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, it took Juventus quite a while to get into the game, but as the game went on, the Bianconeri took more and more control of the game. Koopmeiners got the first chance, but his shot flew a good meter past the goal (18′). Despite the visitors’ dominance, their offensive problems became clear: the amount of time they spent in possession of the ball resulted in too few opportunities to score. It wasn’t until the 35th minute that the game became dangerous again – Vlahovic sent a free-kick over the bar (35′).
Genoa had to tremble once more before half-time, when a beautiful run by Gonzalez saw Bohinen deflect the former Stuttgart player’s cross into the goalmouth, but Gollini saved for the home side (45’+1). After the break, the visitors’ goal drought finally came to an end: Vlahovic put Juventus in front from the spot after a handball by de Winter (48′).
Francisco Conceicao puts the final point
The spell was now broken and seven minutes later, the guests were already celebrating again: Koopmeiners found Vlahovic with an outstanding ball, which the Serbian did not let go to make it 2-0 (55′). The visitors were now full of confidence, and ten minutes later the crossbar prevented the next goal: Koopmeiners’ shot following strong work by Francisco Conceicao hit the upright (65′).
The resistance of the hosts was now broken, with Genoa putting up little resistance. Only substitute Kasa was able to test Perin once (81). On the opposite side, Vlahovic even missed the 3-0 with his head, before a deflected shot from Bohinen also forced Perin to intervene (85).
Because Pinamonti was also unable to beat Perin shortly before the end of regular time (89th minute), and Francisco Conceicao scored with a low shot into the net instead, the Bianconeri ultimately recorded a clear 3-0 away win. Thanks to this success, Juventus also remain the only team in the league not to have conceded a goal. Genoa face Atalanta Bergamo this Saturday (6pm), while Juventus Turin face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday (9pm).
