Paulo Dybala scored one and set up another to help Juventus to a 2-0
victory over Lazio, their fifth consecutive win in Serie A.
Paulo Dybala led the way
for Juventus with a match-winning performance in Friday's 2-0 Serie A
triumph over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.
The
Argentina forward played a major role in the opening goal after just
seven minutes as Santiago Gentiletti deflected his teasing cross into
his own net.
He then capped a fine outing with a
sublime goal just past the half-hour mark, beating Federico Marchetti
with a superb volley from outside the area after coolly teeing himself
up.
An out of sorts Lazio lacked the attacking
strength to pull one back, failing to get a shot on target until the
70th minute, while Juventus seemed happy to defend their lead.
The
victory was Massimiliano Allegri's side's fifth consecutive Serie A win
as they continue to climb up the table after an underwhelming start to
the season.
Lazio, meanwhile, have now gone six matches in a row without victory, losing five of them.
Antonio
Candreva crafted the first chance in the fifth minute, the Italy
international trying his luck from outside the area after cutting inside
from the left, but his shot went just wide.
Juventus
went a goal up just two minutes later after some unfortunate defending
from Lazio. Mauricio failed to properly clear Alex Sandro's cross from
the left, deflecting it straight into the path of Dybala, and the former
Palermo star powerfully fired it across the face of goal, with
Gentiletti deflecting it into the net.
The home
side looked dangerous after a corner kick from the left, with Stefan
Radu beating his marker to the ball, only to see his header go
harmlessly wide.
Dybala remained Juventus' main
threat in the first half and the 22-year-old doubled the visitors' lead
in spectacular fashion in the 32nd minute, collecting Mario Mandzukic's
pass, juggling the ball onto his left foot and firing beyond Marchetti.
Radu
felt he should have been awarded a penalty after a challenge from
Andrea Barzagli early in the second half, but referee Luca Banti was
having none of it and waved play on.
Dybala could
have doubled his personal tally around the hour mark, but Gentiletti did
just enough to force the attacker out wide and his shot from a narrow
angle went comfortably wide.
Gianluigi Buffon was
tested for the first time with 20 minutes to play when Marco Parolo
unleashed an opportunistic shot from 30 yards out, but the experienced
goalkeeper comfortably saved the free-kick.
Allegri's
side are now just four points off the summit ahead of a return to
Champions League action when they visit Sevilla on Tuesday.
Key Opta stats:
- Lazio have lost six of their last seven home meetings against Juventus in Serie A.
- Gianluigi Buffon made his 400th appearance for Juventus in the top flight.
- Paulo Dybala has had a hand in 10 Juventus league goals this season (scoring seven and providing three assists).
- Lazio have gained only one point in their last six Serie A games.
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