Serie A
Ronaldo Scores As Juventus Maintain Perfect Start
Juventus maintained their perfect start to the Serie A season with victory over Udinese at the Dacia Arena.
First half goals from Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristiano Ronaldo helped secure an eighth straight Serie A win.
The Bianconeri are now closing in on Roma’s record of winning their first 10 Serie A matches set in 2013.
In the early stages Juventus had struggled to break down a stubborn Udinese defence.
A good strike from Miralem Pjanic from 25 yards which curled just over the top of the crossbar was all Juventus could muster in the opening 20 minutes.
However, on 33 minutes Juventus took the lead.
Joao Cancelo delivered a great ball inside the box, which picked out Bentancur. The Uruguyan headed the ball past Simone Scuffet in the Udinese goal. It was the Bentancur’s first goal for Juventus.
Juventus almost doubled their lead moments later. A brilliant long ball from Leonardo Bonucci picked out Cancelo.
The Portuguese international cut the ball back into the penalty area to Mario Mandzukic who’s shot was brilliantly saved by Scuffet.
A minute later the defending champions did double their lead. A hopeful ball into the penalty area fell to Mandzukic, he cut it back to Ronaldo who smashed his shot past Scuffet from just inside the box.
Udinese rarely threatened but came close to pulling a goal back on 43 minutes. Antonin Barak unleashed a great shot from 25 yards out which struck the base of post.
Udinese started the second half well and missed a great opportunity to get back into the game.
A free kick swung in by Rodrigo De Paul was headed across goal by Samir.The ball fell to Kevin Lasagna but he couldn’t divert the ball into the net.
Juventus had numerous chances to extend their lead. But shots from Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi were denied by Scuffet in the Udinese goal.
Overall it was a comfortable win for Juventus to keep their 100 per cent record in Serie A.
Ronaldo Puts Testing Week Behind Him
It has been a testing week for Cristiano Ronaldo after allegations emerged that he raped a woman in 2009.
The Portuguese international has vehemently denied the allegations made by model Kathryn Mayorga.
Even so Ronaldo’s sponsors Nike and also EA Sports have expressed concerns about Ms Mayorga’s claim.
Since the allegations have came to light Juventus’s share price has dropped 10 per cent.
The Turin club have backed Ronaldo and of course everybody is innocent until proven guilty.
However, with the case set to go on for the next few months at least, it will be a concern for the Serie A league leaders.
On the pitch Ronaldo scored his fourth Serie A goal with a fine strike from just inside the box.
The Portuguese probably should have scored more but was denied time and time again by Simeone Scuffet in the Udinese goal.
His partnership with Mandzukic and Dybala looks to be developing and it is a fearsome front three which most clubs in Italy can’t cope with.
Scuffet Enhances Reputation
It may have been another defeat for Udinese but the man of the match was arguably their goalkeeper Simeone Scuffet.
Without Scuffet, Udinese would have been on the end of a thrashing.
The Italian saved superbly from Mandzukic in the first half, brilliantly tipping the ball over the bar.
In the second half he produced an even better save. A shot from Joao Cancelo took a deflection, Scuffet was able to adjust his feet and tip the ball over the crossbar.
Scuffet is only 22 years old and this performance will further enhance his reputation as one of the best young keepers in Europe.
Ultimately though he was unable to help Udinese salvage anything from this game.
It is the third defeat in a row for the Bianconeri Friuliani and with Napoli to come after the international break that run looks set to continue.
They will need Scuffet in top form to get anything from that game at home.
Next up for Juventus is Genoa in two weeks time in Turin.
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
