Juventus maintained their perfect start to the season by beating Cesena 3-0 in Turin on Wednesday. A brace from Arturo Vidal on his first league start of the season combined with a late third from Stephan Lichtsteiner to ensure a comfortable victory for the bianconeri.
Juventus vs. Cesena: Final score 3-0, Juve maintain perfect start
Juventus continued their winning streak with a 3-0 demolition of newly-promoted Cesena on Wednesday.
Unsurprisingly Juve dominated the game from the first whistle, with Cesena quite happy to sit deep and stay as compact as possible.
All was looking rosy for Cesena, until their defensive gameplan was undone by conceding a penalty after 15 minutes, when Juve's Roberto Pereyra lashed the ball against Emmanuel Cascione's arm. Goalkeeper Nicola Leali got a hand to Arturo Vidal's spot-kick, though couldn't keep it out.
After taking the lead, Juve were content to stroke the ball around in midfield and suck all life from their opponents. Though they didn't really create another clear-cut chance in the opening half, the hosts restricted Cesena to a sole long-range attempt from Guido Marilungo, and looked in total control.
It was a similar story after the restart, though Juve's monopoly of possession was even more pronounced. Sebastian Giovinco in particular peppered Leali's goal with shots, though it took until just past the hour before Vidal finally doubled Juve's advantage. A loose ball fell kindly for the Chilean on the edge of the box, and he took advantage by burying it inside the far post.
Juve should have added a third with just over 15 minutes remaining, though substitute Álvaro Morata mishit a golden chance inside the penalty area. Juve were instead made to wait until Stephan Lichtsteiner poked home in the 85th minute to cap their victory.
The excellent Giovinco almost added a fourth moments later, though his shot cracked back off the woodwork.
Juventus: Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Evra, Pereyra, Marchisio, Vidal (Padoin 80’), Lichtsteiner (Pepe 87’); Giovinco, Llorente (Morata 70’).
Goals: Vidal (pen. 18’, 64’), Lichtsteiner (85’)
Cesena: Leali; Krajnc, Lucchini, Capelli; Renzetti, Mazzotta (Coppola 46’), Cascione, Giorgi (Nica 77’), Perico (Carbonero 57’); Marilungo, Defrel.
Goals: None.
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