Juventus went to Marassi and came out yesterday with a sure victory, beating Genoa 3-1 on the back of three spectacular goals from key men Paulo Dybala, Cristiano Ronaldo and Douglas Costa.
Speaking after the game, manager Maurizio Sarri was pleased with the first full performance his charges had put together in … well, months.
“I think the team did well, even in the first half. We had clear opportunities, without granting any.
“It was a good team effort and we scored three beautiful goals. The team recovered well after the disappointment of the Coppa Italia, but it was only a matter of time before we were physically well. “
Miralem Pjanic was in the starting lineup as Sarri had promised despite the player’s transfer to Barcelona being confirmed this week, and the midfielder returned to his former self, orchestrating the game in the middle and even picking up his first assist from the last fall.
“I haven’t even spoken to Miralem these days. Often it did after the suspension, after the closing, because it had these 20 to 25 days in poor condition.
“We ask ourselves the reason and we try to find the solution. It was a drop in mental condition more than anything else.
“I am sure he will do well in this period. I find him happy and calm. I have no worries “.
Another midfielder, Adrien Rabiot, also received some praise from the coach after a better and more complete performance.
“Rabiot’s performance was positive, he is progressing. Everyone expects a lot from him and it is not easy.
“He didn’t play for seven months at PSG, he moved to a different country and the style of play has changed.” Then he had a physical problem and the interruption. But he is developing. “
Even Ronaldo had a better game today, looking hungry and involved for most of the game, and without losing his mind either when he was substituted in the second half.
“In the first half he went for the shot five times, which means he was doing more than he should have. Cristiano often plays to break free to finish, but when he decides to move the ball quickly, he is the best of all.
“Honestly, I was going to replace Dybala, then I chose Ronaldo, who has played many minutes. We discussed it in the last days, I knew he would go 3-0 and he did it with serenity. ”
Dybala and Ronaldo have often been out of sync, but in Genoa everything seemed to come together for the pair and Sarri seems to think that bad communications are behind the two stars.
“Something has changed in terms of movement, but they have learned to seek each other more often.
“They have found that by benefiting from each other, they both reap the rewards. It’s something I’ve also noticed in training. “
With the Derby della Mole coming up against his local rivals Torino, would that be the game that Gianluigi Buffon begins to get the Serie A minutes that take him past Paolo Maldini and set the record for most appearances in the A series?
“I don’t know, the game is over for 40 minutes. Gigi has signed a renewal with the club. He has many games available to set a new record.”
