Dusan Vlahovic and Denis Zakaria celebrated a dream debut for Juventus Turin against Hellas Verona. In the 2-0 win, both provided the decisive goals.
It was to be expected that Vlahovic would start directly against Hellas Verona nine days after his signing for 70 million euros. The Old Lady longed too much for a new centre-forward who would form the crucial link between Morata and Dybala. However, Juve could only have dreamed that the Serbian would immediately become the fulcrum of the Bianconeri’s attacking play – but that’s how it came to be.
After just seven minutes, Vlahovic showed his qualities for the first time, but his sharp shot from 17 metres was turned aside by Hellas keeper Montipo. Ten minutes later, however, the visitors’ goalkeeper was helpless: Dybala played Vlahovic free and the talented striker lifted his effort over the rushing Montipo to make it 1-0 for Juve.
As a result, the Italian record champions did not appear so often in the penalty area of the courageously playing visitors, but when they did, Vlahovic was right in the middle of it. Again and again he was the target of crosses and combinations, and after 38 minutes the 22-year-old almost scored a brace: Morata crossed precisely to Vlahovic, but from a few metres he pushed the ball past the far post.
Morata’s solo sets up Zakaria’s dream debut
In the second period, Verona initially took command, but the visitors were unable to break Juve down with a flurry of crosses. The Bianconeri didn’t do much going forward, but then Morata went on a solo: The Spaniard marched through the midfield and then played Zakaria free on the right side of the penalty area. Alone in front of Montipo, the newcomer from Gladbach kept his cool and shot into the left corner – the next dream debut (61.).
The 2:0 was no longer in danger, Juve defended consistently throughout, but hardly took any risks offensively. The home win reduced the gap between the Old Lady and the top three in Serie A, but AC Milan are still seven points behind. Before the Bianconeri, who are now fourth, face Bergamo in the top match on Sunday, they have a cup match against Sassuolo on Thursday.
