Juventus beat Sevilla 2-0 at the Juventus Stadium in Turin to stay at the top of UEFA Champions League Group D on Wednesday night.
Juan Cuadrado started the match on the right-hand side of the Bianconeri midfield and immediately set his sights on Sevilla’s French full-back Benoit Tremoulinas, with the Colombian international winger easily negotiating his way past the defender twice in quick succession as the hosts began the game with an attacking intent.
Massimiliano Allegri’s outfit continued to pressurise the La Liga side as first Alvaro Morata missed the target with a header before Andrea Barzagli dragged his shot wide of the upright from 25 yards.
Summer signing Sami Khedira made his debut for The Old Lady following his arrival from Real Madrid on a free transfer in June and looked assured at the base of midfield.
The breakthrough eventually came four minutes before the interval as Morata made no mistake with a header past Sergio Rico into the bottom right corner of the net following Barzagli’s pin-point cross.
Yevhen Konoplyanka finally tested Gianluigi Buffon in the Juventus goal on the stroke of half-time, the World Cup winning ‘keeper was equal to the former Inter targets routine effort.
Paulo Dybala tested Rico with a 20 yard set-piece on the hour mark after Steven N’Zonzi had fouled the Argentine forward. The lively 21-year-old came close to doubling the advantage moments later, directing Patrice Evra’s left-wing cross past the post with the aid of a deflection.
Italy international striker Ciro Immobile replaced Kevin Gamiero for Los Rojiblancos with 25 minutes remaining but failed to make a significant impact.
Cuadrado saw another goal-bound effort parried to safety before Khedira was replaced by Brazilian defender Alex Sandro after 75 minutes.
Substitute Simone Zaza sealed the result for Juventus three minutes before the end, sliding the ball under the advancing Rico to keep the Bianconeri at the top of Group D.
