Juventus continued their winning run with a 2-0 win over Chievo at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The home side couldn’t break down a stubborn Chievo defence in the first half, but two goals from Paul Pogba and Stephan Lichsteiner in quick succession condemned the visitors to their first defeat since December.
Massimilano Allegri’s team continue to push further away from title challengers Roma, while Chievo continue to drop points in the relegation zone.
Leave us your thoughts on our player ratings.
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 6.5 – Spectator
Rarely troubled, had one sticky situation when the ball came off the post in the dying minutes. Dealt with it well enough.
Martin Caceres- 6.5 – Useful
Had the freedom to push forward and join in the attack. Made the most of his passing range and vision.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5 – Solid
Let very little get past him. Looked a force to be reckoned with alongside Chiellini.
Giorgio Chiellini – 6.5 – Bullish
Had an early chance from a corner but his header looped onto the roof of the net. Missed another chance from the same position shortly after. Cleared up after Evra and generally had a characteristically solid performance.
Patrice Evra – 6 – Decent
Clashed heads with Frey and gave away a few needless free kicks. Got forward with regularity and made some telling crosses, including one that Vidal managed to blaze over the bar. Replaced in the second half by Padoin.
Arturo Vidal – 6.5 – Wild
Missed an early opportunity to open the scoring with a towering header that the Chilean blazed wide. Later booked for simulation when he seemed to go down melodramatically in the box. Withdrawn in the second half much to his frustration.
Claudio Marchisio – 6.5 – Efficient
Had an early attempt in the second half that nearly beat Bizzarri from range. Picked up a needless booking in the first half. Dictated play efficiently and joined in the attack on a number of occasions.
Paul Pogba – 7.5 – Magnificent
Showcased his superb control and touch, finally opened the scoring in the second half with a stupendous strike from range. Demonstrated his wonderful range of passing, skills and flair as the pace of the game decreased.
Roberto Pereyra – 7 – Golden
Almost squeezed the ball past Bizzarri but for the Argentinian’s quick reactions. His speed and movement saw him breeze past the Chievo defenders, resulting in a few tough tackles. One of the best players on the field.
Carlos Tevez – 6.5 – Creator
Grew into the game after several wayward efforts. Attempted to create scoring chances for Morata and the midfielders. Comfortable on the ball and always a threat from set pieces.
Alvaro Morata – 6 – Quiet
Missed his first chance of the game when Tevez crossed to the Spaniard in the box, but his header went wide. Largely ineffective for much of the game, particularly in comparison to the more creative outlet of Tevez.
Substitutes
Stephan Lichsteiner – 7 – Poacher
Took the place of Vidal in the second half. Joined in the attack and when Pogba’s shot was parried, he was off the line quickest to thunder the ball past Bizzarri in the Chievo goal.
Simone Padoin – 6 – Energetic
Replaced Evra to continue the hunt for more goals. Provided a fresh pair of legs for the Juventus machine.
Simone Pepe – N/A
Brought on for a late cameo appearance.
Chievo
Albano Bizzarri – 6.5 – Bombarded
Continued to deny Juventus until Pogba stunned the veteran keeper with a thundering effort, and conceded again when Lichsteiner blasted home when the keeper parried the ball out.
Nicolas Frey – 5.5 – Unfortunate
Booked in the first half for a cynical challenge on Vidal. Clashed heads with Evra resulting in a nasty cut, forcing him off the field in a stretcher. Was soon replaced by Biraghi.
Dario Dainelli – 6 – Slow
Blocked Pereyra’s goal-bound effort early in the match. Booked for bringing down the Argentinian later in the half. Reacted slowly to both of Juventus’ goals.
Alessandro Gamberini – 5.5 – Poor
Tried to direct an early opportunity on goal, but ended up sending his shot wide. Should have been on hand to clear Bizzarri’s parried effort for Juventus’ second goal.
Ervin Zukanovic – 5.5 – Struggled
Struggled to deal with Pereyra on the wing. Tried to push forward but found himself forced back in his own half.
Isaac Cofie – 5.5 – Lost
Ineffective and invisible for much of the game. Spent much of his time defending and struggled to combine with his teammates.
Perparim Hetemaj – 6 – Average
Put in his defensive shift admirably but failed to add anything else to the game.
Valter Birsa – 6 – Distant
Tried to make ground on the Juventus goal but was curtailed by some solid defending. Combined well with the midfielders and Paloschi. Had a shot late into the second half which Buffon gathered easily.
Ezequiel Schelotto – 6 – Inspired
Started the second half positively and began making inroads behind Evra, but was marshalled by Chiellini the rest of the way. Tried the hardest to bag a goal for the visitors and struck the post in the dying minutes.
Ruben Botta – 6 – Ineffective
The midfielder could not muster the same level of influence he has demonstrated in recent weeks. Denied much time on the ball, he was replaced by Meggiorini in the second half.
Alberto Paloschi – 6 – Isolated
Tasked with leading the Chievo attack against Juventus’ strong central defenders. His searching runs and physical style of play earned him no reward and he was soon replaced by Pellissier.
Substitutes
Cristiano Biraghi – 6 – Commendable
Came on in the place of the injured Frey and slotted seamlessly into the wall of defending Chievo players. Added some pace to the team but little else.
Riccardo Meggiorini – N/A
Replaced Botta in the second half. Isolated up front and found himself defending with the rest of the team.
Sergio Pellissier – N/A
Came on in the place of Paloschi, couldn’t help unlock the dominating Juventus defenders.
