To say that Juventus were under pressure ahead of tonight’s game against Genoa might be a little harsh, but ’a bit nervous’ would be a better choice of words. And it’s not because the relegation strugglers showed any signs of improvement under new coach, a former Milan great Andriy Shevchenk, but because Juve is simply not good this season. In fact, they are nowhere near the title race, and even the Champions League spot is currently far away (seven points away), and above all, Allegri’s team have lost three games at home this season. Count in the situation with investigators, who are looking into possible financial fraud, and the situation in Turin was not ideal prior to this match. But, the players managed to win ahead of meaningless last round game in the Champions League with Malmo: Juventus – Genoa 2-0. Ronaldo and his agent could be called for questioning as Juve investigation continuesAndriy Shevchenko is so far 0-4 as Genoa coach. The Ukrainian took over the job about a month ago and was defeated in three games (Roma, Milan and Juventus) and managed only a goalless draw with Udinese so far. This will be a challenge for Shevchenko, but at least he can look forward to January transfer window, when the new Genoa owners will provide their young coach with transfer funds. His problem was not a defeat against much stronger Juventus, but the way his team played: powerless. Genoa didn’t even manage a single shot on goal, both on and off the target. 250 – Massimiliano Allegri has now won 250 Serie A games as a manager (exactly 150 for Juventus), becoming only the second manager to have reached this milestone in the three points for a win era (since 1994/1995), after Carlo Ancelotti (275). Leader.#JuveGenoa pic.twitter.com/z4uRlMa8Aq— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) December 5, 2021 The one thing about which Allegri has to worry about is the efficiency of his strikers, or more precisely lack of it. Juve destroyed Genoa, and yet scored only two goals after 12 shots on target. It was ninth minute when Cuadrado went over to take the corner kick. The Columbian took a shot and a ball looped over Genoa keeper Sirigu and off the back post for the lead. A beautiful goal. Juve continued to press but just couldn’t socre another goal before the break. Two biggest chances were both missed by Morata, or rather they were saved by Sirigu, after the Spaniard’s poor shots. In the 36th minute, Sirigu saved De Light’s header before Morata’s stabbed effort was also blocked by the goalkeeper. Spaniard also took a shot in the 45th minute after a Dybala cross, but straight into Sirigu. The string of misses continued in the second half, and Morata was at the forefront again, with another strike saved by Sirigu. In the 65th minute, Juventus managed to miss the unmissable: three Juve attackers were in front of the Genoa goal alone, but Dybala’s shot was saved by Sirigu. The attack continued and in the same minute, the marvelous Genoa keeper saved a ’bomb’ from Cuadrado. Only in the 82nd minute did Juve scored again, and off course it was Dybala, who eased the nervous fans. The game was over for sure. SERIE 1 – ROUND 16SaturdayMilan – Salernitana 2-0 (2-0)/Kessie 5, Saelemaekers 18/Roma – Inter 0-3 (0-3)/Calhanoglu 15, Dzeko 24, Dumfries 39/Napoli – Atalanta 2-3 (1-1)/Zielinski 40, Mertens 47 – Malinovskyi 7, Demiral 66, Freuler 71/SundayBologna – Fiorentina 2-3 (1-1)/Barrow 42, Hickey 83 – Maleh 33, Biraghi 51 Vlahovic 67/Spezia – Sassuolo 2-2 (1-0)/Manaj 35, Gyasi 47 – Raspadori 66,79/Venezia – Verona 3-4 (3-0)/Ceccaroni 12, Črnigoj 19, Henry 27 – Henry 52 (og), Caprari 65, Simeone 67, 58/ Sampdoria – Lazio 1-3 (0-3)/Gabbiadini 89 – Milinkovic-Savic 7, Immobile 17, 37/Juventus – Genoa 2-0 (1-0)/Cuadrado 9. Dybala 82/Monday20:30: (2.65) Empoli (3.30) Udinese (2.85)22:45: (3.40) Cagliari (3.25) Torino (2.35)***odds are subject to change***
