Goals from Filip Kostic, Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik helped Juventus snap their month-long winless streak as they returned to Serie A action with a 3-0 victory over Bologna.
Heading into Sunday’s encounter, Massimiliano Allegri’s side had not won across all competitions since the end of August, to leave the head coach’s future at the club in serious doubt.
But an assured display from the Bianconeri against Thiago Motta’s embattled side has likely assuaged immediate fears at Allianz Stadium, while the scope of the Bologna boss’ task is becoming readily apparent.
Aside from an off-target Manuel Locatelli effort in the first minute, the early exchanges provided scant entertainment in Turin as both sides sought to settle into the game.
But it was Juventus who looked the livelier of the two and when Vlahovic picked off a loose ball in midfield, the crowd rose to roar on his blazing run.
Kostic ran crafty support along the left flank, and when the ball came wide to him, his low strike beyond Lukasz Skorupski back across the box was a worthy opener.
Freeze-frame 📸👌#JuveBologna #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/qKBNjFrf13
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 2, 2022
Bologna seldom looked like they would disturb that lead and the visitors were made to pay again just before the hour mark when Vlahovic powered Weston McKennie’s cross home with a header.
Merely three minutes later, Milik took advantage of a defensive lapse to rifle a vicious volley into the roof of the net, and from there the hosts cruised to full-time for a morale-boosting result.
What does it mean? Juventus steady ship
Having last tasted victory at the end of August with a 2-0 win over Spezia, the Bianconeri had since gone five without victory until this weekend.
With serious questions looming over whether they would be able to force their way back into the top four again, even at this early juncture, this result offers a much-needed optimism.
Vlahovic maintains happy streak
After an opening-day brace, it all went a little bit quiet for Dusan Vlahovic, but the Serbian got back to goalscoring ways with a fine bit of work here.
Bologna are one of his favourites to face too – he has scored in each of his last four league games against them, having only achieved a similar feat against Sampdoria.
Motta facing fight to survive
If the new Bologna boss was in any doubt as to the difficulty of the task he has inherited, Thiago Motta will be significantly more aware now, with Sinisa Mihajlovic’s successor overseeing a chastening trip to Turin.
He will be more frustrated by the fact his side actually had more possession (52 per cent) but were particularly ineffective with the ball at their feet.
Key Opta Facts
– Juventus scored three goals for the first time since the opening-day win over Sassuolo.
– This was Manuel Locatelli’s 50th appearance with Juventus in all competitions.
– Dusan Vlahovic has scored in each of his last four league games against Bologna.
– Arkadiusz Milik has scored five goals against Bologna in Serie A – his best return against any team in the division.
What’s next?
Juventus return to Champions League action with a match against Maccabi Haifa on October 5. Bologna, meanwhile, will wait for the next Serie A round, when they face Sampdoria on October 8.
Source: Livescore