Juventus defeated Genoa 1-0 at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the Serie A.
The game was decided in the first half when centre-forward Carlos Tevez produced a brilliant run and an even better finish to take his tally of goals in Serie A this season to 16. The Argentinean could have had a brace, in fact, as he missed a penalty in the second half.
It was the Rossoblu who were presented with the first opportunity of the match in the second minute as centre-forward M’baye Niang latched onto a loose ball from defender Leonardo Bonucci but curled his shot wide of the goal.
The home side, after their European exertion at Dortmund in midweek, looked a bit tired every now and then and on had their first attempt on 11 minutes through Chilean Arturo Vidal whose ambitious volley went way off target. A few minutes later, they looked to threaten from a set piece as centre-back Giorgio Chiellini headed over the bar.
Meanwhile, Genoa’s Diego Perotti was booked for diving following an incident that saw him appeal for a penalty after having been allegedly fouled by Claudio Marchisio inside the box.
And despite some early failings, the Old Lady took the lead in the 25th minute, that saw Argentinean Carlos Tevez beat a couple of defenders on the right flank before unleashing a fierce drive from a tight angle into the top of the net.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men were pushed on the back foot momentarily and Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner then tried his luck on the half volley, sending it over the cross bar.
However, the Grifone did get a couple of chances before the break. Perotti side footed a weak shot that was comfortably dealt with by Gianlugi Buffon and 22-year-old Maxime Lestienne then tried his luck from over 30 yards.
And right at the stroke of half-time, drama unfolded as Fernando Llorente’s header was saved by Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin and the rebound was sent towards goal by Tevez, only for it to deflect off Andrea Bertolacci’s extending arm and find Chiellini’s feet, who managed to rattle the crossbar.
The second half began with Perin being subbed off early on, on account of the injury he suffered at half-time. Then following some good build-up play, Roberto Pereyra fluffed a left-footed volley towards the stands.
24-year-old Pereyra was yet again involved in the mix of things as he was fouled inside the box by Rossoblu defender Facundo Roncaglia, leading to a penalty at the hour mark. However, substitute goalkeeper Eugenio Lamanna stunned the entire Juventus Stadium as he saved the subsequent penalty from Tevez, denying his second goal of the day.
Still wanting that crucial second goal, Tevez played his centre-forward partner Llorente through on goal, but the Spaniard’s effort was blocked by Juraj Kucka. With 15 minutes remaining, Juventus substitute Alessandro Matri got his chance to put the game to bed, but his header was sent straight to goalkeeper Lamanna.
Five minutes later, Bianconeri defender Andrea Barzagli pulled off a brilliant last ditch tackle on 26-year-old Perotti, who was a regular tap-in away from scoring the equalizer following an excellent cross from Roncaglia.
Genoa could not create any more chances after that and the game ended with Juventus finishing off on a high note, dominating possession and looking threatening as ever.
