Juve see off Cagliari

Juventus extended their unbeaten streak in Serie A with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away against Cagliari. The solitary goal from Dusan Vlahovic, who capitalized on a defensive mistake, secured three crucial points for the Bianconeri, further solidifying their position in the league. This win marks Juve’s fourth consecutive victory, a testament to their improving form and growing confidence.

First Half: Juventus Dominate

The match kicked off with Juventus displaying their trademark intensity, immediately taking control of the game with quick, fluid passes and promising attacking movements. Early on, Kenan Yildiz posed a threat with his skill and agility, earning the first corner kick in the 7th minute. Federico Gatti soon followed suit, creating another corner just two minutes later. Cagliari attempted to respond, but the Juventus defense was alert and effectively stifled their attacks.

The turning point of the match came in the 13th minute when Vlahovic capitalized on a defensive lapse by Cagliari. The Serbian striker found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Elia Caprile, calmly dribbled past him, and slotted the ball into an empty net. This goal gave Juventus a decisive lead, which they maintained throughout the first half. Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao continued to test Caprile with powerful strikes, but the goalkeeper remained on form. Despite a few close calls, the first half concluded with Juventus leading 1-0.

A Controlled Second Half

In the second half, Cagliari introduced Zito Luvumbo, who immediately made an impact with a dangerous move down the left wing, resulting in a corner kick in the 53rd minute. Juventus, however, remained composed, maintaining possession and patiently looking for opportunities. As the game progressed, Cagliari grew more assertive, but they failed to seriously challenge Michele Di Gregorio in the Juventus goal.

Cagliari’s desperation for an equalizer led to a series of attacking surges in the closing minutes. Vlahovic had a golden opportunity to secure the win in the 78th minute but was denied by Caprile’s timely save. A few minutes later, Vlahovic found himself in an offside position as he attempted to double Juve’s lead. Despite Cagliari’s late efforts, including Florinel Coman’s near-miss in the 83rd minute and Nicolas Viola’s wayward shot in the 91st minute, Juventus managed to hold on to their lead. Yildiz’s final attempt in the 93rd minute was once again thwarted by Caprile, but it was enough for Juventus to secure the three points.

Three Points and a Strong Position

The victory not only extended Juventus’s winning streak but also consolidated their fourth-place position in the Serie A table. This win is a significant step in their pursuit of a top-four finish, which would ensure Champions League qualification for the next season. Thiago Motta’s team showed resilience and tactical discipline, qualities that will be crucial in their upcoming fixtures.

Match Details and Next Up

Cagliari 0-1 Juventus
Venue: Unipol Domus
Date: Sunday, 23 February 2025
Kick-off: 20:45 (CET)
Goals: 12’ Vlahovic (J)

Cagliari:

Caprile, Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello, Zortea (70’ Marin), Adopo (70’ Viola), Makoumbou (86’ Pavoletti), Deiola (57’ Coman), Felici (46’ Luvumbo), Piccoli
Unused Substitutes: Prati, Jankto, Auseklis, Palomino, Obert, Gaetano, Sherri
Coach: Davide Nicola

Juventus:

Di Gregorio, Weah, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso (73’ Rouhi), Koopmeiners (62’ Douglas Luiz (82’ Mbangula)), Locatelli (73’ Thuram), Conceicao (62’ Kolo Muani), McKennie, Yildiz, Vlahovic
Unused Substitutes: Perin, Costa, Nico Gonzalez, Pinsoglio
Coach: Thiago Motta

Referee: Andrea Colombo
Assistants: Fabiano Preti, Giuseppe Perrotti
Fourth Official: Daniele Perenzoni
Bookings: 49’ Weah (J)

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