Juventus sent Genoa to continue in the race for the top four in Serie A on Sunday afternoon and emerged as the 3-1 winner despite the visitors’ best efforts.
The old lady was quick of the blocks and found a breakthrough for her efforts after just four minutes when Juan Cuadrado put it on a plate for Dejan Kulusevski. They continued to press well and move quickly, doubling their lead on the counter after 22 minutes through Alvaro Morata. Genoa tried to move forward, but could not get anywhere near Juve who marched in at half time with full control.
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– JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 11, 2021
Genoa started bright after the break and pulled back a goal almost immediately with a strong nod from Gianluca Scamacca and pulled them back into the game from nowhere. Both teams pressed when the second half opened and the visitors almost leveled when Marko Pjaca smashed wide with acres of space into the box.
The game remained locked at 2-1 with both sides lacking quality in the final third, but it was Weston McKennie who added a third from the bench for Andrea Pirlo’s side after 70 minutes and lifted the ball past Mattia Perin.
McKennie’s finish proved crucial, taking the wind out of Genoa and confirming three big points for Juventus, who impressed with a high intensity performance. This is how Bianconeri ranked.
Cuadrado had an effective 45 minutes | Stefano Guidi / Getty Images
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – 6/10 – Easy first half and nothing he could do to stop Scamacca’s nod. Pulled out a nice low stop to deny Pjaca after 55 minutes.
Juan Cuadrado (RB) – 7/10 – Exceptional footwork inside the opposition box to create an assist for Juve’s opener and continued to cause problems with a constantly intelligent overlap to the right. Replaced at half time, maybe to pick up a booking.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 6/10 – Expected danger in an intelligent way and went out to stop Genoa’s progress before they materialized. Wrong on Genoa’s goal, however, to be unmuscled from the corner.
Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – 7/10 – The veteran took on a more relaxed role with his colleague who did the aggressive work, but distributed the ball well and kept things organized. A nice, composed performance.
Danilo (LB) – 7/10 – A solid excursion for Danilo who showed his versatile qualities and defended the box well. Also provided the main assistance for McKennie.
Kulusevski got a positive result Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images
Dejan Kulusevski (RM) – 7/10 – A good early finish to give Juve the lead and was always a threat in possession. Kulusevski was difficult to mark and ran consistently towards defenders, looking for a pass or angle a shot.
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – 5/10 – The game passed Bentancur somewhat, which was not the most effective in Juve’s midfield but instead a bit quiet.
Adrien Rabiot (CM) – 6/10 – Set the tempo in the midfield, work the box by box and distribute the game sharply. Rabiot’s influence, however, diminished in the second half as Genoa grew into the game.
Federico Chiesa (LM) – 6/10 – Pressed hard and chased the ball down well before moving quickly with it at his feet. Impressed fleetingly after leading the charge for the second case.
Ronaldo with the assistance from the post for Morata? pic.twitter.com/Fy2YiLvZUT
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 11, 2021
Alvaro Morata (ST) – 7/10 – Rewarded for keeping up with a counterattack by tapping Juve’s second, which does well on the return in poachers’ way.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – 6/10 – Missing his shooting boots in the first half, the post hits from point blank in a rebound effort. The same questions tormented Ronaldo all the time; nothing he touched seemed to want to find its way into the goal. Frustrating afternoon.
Weston McKennie restores Juve’s two-goal advantage ⚫⚪
A really composed finish from the American kid? pic.twitter.com/aURaiBMaU8
– Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 11, 2021
Alex Sandro – 6/10 – Did not come with the same attacking moves as Juve were captured by Genoa’s press during the second half, but fulfilled their defensive duties competently.
Weston McKennie – 7/10 – Outstanding impact from the bench and strengthened Juve’s lead when they needed it most. Cool as you like with the finish.
Paulo Dybala – 6/10
Arthur – 5/10
Aaron Ramsey – Not applicable
