11 November 2023
Juventus collected a fifth win in a row in Serie A and a fifth straight success at the Allianz Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Cagliari. All the goals came in the second half and all were scored by defenders. Bremer opened the scoring on the hour and was followed on the scoresheet by Daniele Rugani.
However, the two goal lead was short lived as the visitors pulled one back through Alberto Dossena, who then hit the post
But there was to be no denying another Bianconeri win ahead of the international break.
THE MATCH
Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari came into the encounter against the Bianconeri enjoying their best form since returning to the top flight. The seven points from the most recent nine available had certainly boosted the visitors’ confidence.
The Sardinian outfit held their own for the opening half an hour. The most clear cut chance until that moment fell to Alberto Dossena, when the central defender failed to put his free header from a corner on target.
Once over the 30-minute mark, Juventus began to make their presence felt. A sweet one-touch move from defence through midfield saw Federico Chiesa release Moise Kean through on goal, but the striker’s heavy first touch allowed Simone Scuffet to race off his line and smother the danger.
Two minutes later, Andrea Cambiaso swept a shot over when well-positioned at the edge of the area. Kean was likewise inaccurate with an effort from a tight angle after once again beating the offside trap.
The last chance of the first half fell to Weston McKennie, who had followed an attack he had started to reach a Filip Kostic cross. The midfielder’s volley crept just wide.
After the interval the hosts continued to press and created three chances in as many minutes. Chiesa twice came close, first with a rasping shot from the edge of the area, followed by a volley which dipped just wide. In between, Kean again had a sight of goal but was again blocked by the presence of Scuffet.
The breakthrough eventually arrived on the hour. Kostic delivered a tantalising cross from the left, and Bremer rose above the rest to power home his first goal of the season.
A first of the season also for Daniele Rugani 10 minutes later, his first in Serie A since March 2021, appeared to have given Juve some breathing space. Another Kostic delivery, this time from a corner, was met by Rugani, who chested the ball onto the bar, then again with his chest bundled the ball over the line from close range.
Cagliari displayed the fighting spirit that has seen them climb off the foot of the table and clawed their way back into the contest with Dossena’s header on 75 minutes. Seven minutes later the central defender hit the outside of the post with another header with Wojciech Szczesny at full stretch.
The last chance of the game fell to Juve after Dusan Vlahovic worked the ball well for fellow substitute Samuel Iling jr, whose shot was parried by the visiting defence.
The three points, worth top spot, at least overnight, were celebrated by fans and players alike at the final whistle.
After the international break Juventus will play once more at home, when they host Inter.
JUVENTUS 2-1 CAGLIARI (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: 60′ Bremer, 69′ Rugani, 75′ Dossena
JUVENTUS: Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso (87′ Nicolussi Caviglia), McKennie, Locatelli, Miretti (65′ Iling), Kostic; Kean (65′ Vlahovic), Chiesa (80′ Milik). Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Perin, Huijsen, Nonge, Yildiz. Coach: Allegri.
CAGLIARI: Scuffet; Zappa, Dossena, Goldaniga, Augello; Jankto (88′ Pavoletti), Prati, Makoumbou; Viola (66′ Oristanio); Luvumbo (71′ Shomurodov), Petagna (46′ Lapadula). Subs not used: Radunovic, Aresti, Mancosu, Deiola, Hatzidiakos, Gaston Pereiro, Wieteska, Suleman, Obert, Paulo Azzi, Desogus. Coach: Ranieri.
Referee: Piccinini
Bookings: 57′ McKennie, 70′ Luvumbo, 81′ Kostic, 87′ Cambiaso
