A dominant display from Miralem Pjanic saw Juventus secure an easy 3-0 win over Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara and move into second place in Serie A.
After building up an early spell of dominance, Juventus put the game beyond doubt during a 10 minute period midway through the first half. A superb Pjanic freekick was followed up by an accurate low Mario Mandzukic strike, ensuring that Juventus were in for a routine victory.
Blaise Matuidi added gloss to the scoreline in the second half with a vicious low effort, as the Bianconeri leapfrogged Inter to move a single point behind Napoli at the summit of the table.
Bologna saw plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges, but were unable to fashion out a clear chance. Indeed, it was Juventus who came closest to scoring in the first 10 minutes.
Douglas Costa burst into the box and knocked the ball wide for Mattia De Sciglio to send a looping cross to the back post. Although Mandzukic rose highest to meet the delivery, a close range Ibrahima Mbaye block kept the ball out.
The Bianconeri were beginning to pen the hosts into their final third and despite some brave defending, the clearances were constantly falling to Juventus players.
As the pressure was building, Juventus were coming closer to breaking the deadlock but were wasteful on the edge of the box, as Pjanic blazed well over from a smart Alex Sandro cutback.
Bologna were able to break forward on occasion but did not make their rare ventures forward count. Erick Pulgar read the play well to pinch the ball in the heart of midfield and send Orji Okwonkwo on a driving run. After skipping past Andrea Barzagli, the Nigerian had a clear sight of goal but his shot was easily stopped by Wojciech Szczesny.
The Rossoblu would live to regret it, as they found themselves behind a moment later. An unnecessary shirt pull on Alex Sandro by Mattia Destro gifted the visitors a freekick on the edge of the box, and Pjanic duly took advantage.
Lovely goal from Pjanic!!!!
pic.twitter.com/WjqWFsAfwQ— Juvefc.com (@juvefcdotcom) December 17, 2017
The Bosnian expertly curled the ball into the near top corner, and although Antonio Mirante got a hand to the ball, the former Juventus goalkeeper couldn’t keep it out.
It was soon 2-0, and Pjanic was once again at the heart of the action. Picking up a loose ball, the midfielder flicked an inch-perfect pass over the top to Mandzukic, who took it down on his chest, burst past Mbaye and rifled home. Once again, Mirante got a hand to the strike but couldn’t prevent the goal.
Mandzukic goal pic.twitter.com/DM0tb4y3tl
— Juvefc.com (@juvefcdotcom) December 17, 2017
Little changed in the early stages of the second half, as Juventus camped in Bologna’s half without finding many clear sights of goal. Indeed, the Vecchia Signora were knocking the ball around patiently and seemed content with their lead.
However, they were starting to see some joy down the left, particularly through Alex Sandro. Firstly, the Brazilian whipped in a low cross that required Filip Helander to prod behind with Higuain lurking. Minutes later though, the threat paid off.
Another dangerous Alex Sandro cross into the box was poorly cleared by Helander, who knocked the ball into the path of Matuidi. The France international made no mistake with a vicious first time effort, smashing into the bottom corner.
Premier but de Blaise Matuidi à la Juve #BolognaJuve pic.twitter.com/LoR3euFrTm
— Juventus FR (@JuveGoalsFR) December 17, 2017
After enduring a frustrating afternoon, Higuain came close to getting on the scoresheet himself. Collecting an excellent Pjanic ball over the top, the striker drove at the defence before forcing an excellent save with a powerful strike.
Bologna were struggling to muster a shot and it was proving to be a comfortable afternoon for the visitors. Substitute Paulo Dybala squandered a fine chance to make it 4-0 late on, as Higuain released him to break beyond the defence and into the box.
With his Argentine teammate ready to tap in to an empty net, Dybala opted not to return the ball to Higuain but instead went for goal himself, only for Mirante to produce a good save.
