Juventus at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in their Sunday afternoon Serie A fixture.
Andrea Barzagli and Mario Lemina scored to earn the Old Lady a precious three points as they continue their title challenge.
The first chance of the game came from an unlikely source, midfielder Sami Khedira popping up in the box but sent his shot straight at Marco Sportiello. Juventus would soon take the lead and once again through an unusual goalscorer, a header from Mario Mandzukic landed into the path of Andrea Barzagli, who gave the Bianconeri the lead as he was kept onside by Marten de Roon.
The Dutchman came the closest to levelling the score for the Bergamo outfit, but couldn’t get enough on his volley to truly test Gianluigi Buffon. In the second half Sportiello almost made a calamitous error when he left the penalty area, but was relieved to see Rafael Toloi on the goal-line clearing the shot from Mandzukic.
Paulo Dybala was having an uncharacteristically quiet game, and thought he’d won his side a penalty, but was adjudged to have fouled Boukary Drame after a winding run. Substitute Alessandro Diamanti came on and had an instant impact for the hosts, his corner landing at Toloi but the Brazilian couldn’t stretch to turn his header on target.
The away side had a moment of inspiration from one of their own substitutes, Mario Lemina dancing past the Atalanta defenders and striking with the outside of the boot past Sportiello to secure the win. Atalanta had one final chance to beat Buffon in goal, but Andrea Masiello saw his header saved by the veteran shot-stopper.
Juventus regain their three point lead ahead of Napoli at the summit of Serie A, while Atalanta drop one place to 15th with Genoa beating Empoli; with the relegation zone getting ever closer.
