NhanDinh.vn – The 22-year-old netted his first goal of the season courtesy of a spectacular strike from distance in a facile 4-0 win for the Old Lady in Zagreb
Marko Pjaca warned his Juventus team-mates that Tuesday’s Champions League clash with former club Dinamo Zagreb would be “no cakewalk”. In the end, though, that’s exactly what it was, with the Bianconeri cruising to a 4-0 victory over arguably the weakest side that they have faced so far this season.
However, while the dreadful quality of the opposition has to be taken into account, Juve still deserve the utmost credit for the way in which they went about their business. Indeed, right from the first whistle, they took both the initiative and control of the game, with Miralem Pjanic making mockery of the decision to start him on the bench for the opening-round stalemate with Sevilla with a wonderfully commanding and inventive performance in a more advanced midfield role.
Of course, Zagreb are currently without a coach – and it showed. The game-plan – if caretaker boss Zeljko Sopic had one – appeared to be defend for dear life in the hope of sneaking a draw. That baseless dream died after just 24 minutes of play, after a farcical mix-up at the heart of the Dinamo defence.
Gordon Schildenfeld attempted to intercept a Leonardo Bonucci pass that he never had any hope of reaching and, in doing so, appeared to distract Leonardo Sigali, who, caught by surprise, somehow contrived to head the ball behind up into the air and down onto the right boot of Pjanic, who finished first-time with aplomb.
The classy Bosnian then turned creator, producing a sublime ball in behind the Dinamo back four that Gonzalo Higuain controlled deftly on his chest before coolly volleying home with his left foot.
It was a dream goal from Beppe Morotta’s perspective, with two of the Juventus director general’s summer signings combining to devastating effect. However, it was the third goal that will really have pleased coach Massimiliano Allegri, with Paulo Dybala finding the back of the net for the first time this season with a stunning strike from distance.
The 22-year-old admitted last week that his confidence had been affected by his goal drought and there was some concern over just how he would react to being dropped to the bench for last weekend’s Serie A clash with former club Palermo. His 30-metre thunderbolt was thus the perfect riposte.
Dani Alves made it 4-0 with five minutes remaining with a deflected free-kick that Adrian Semper effectively pushed into his own net but, by that stage, it was already a case of job well done for a Juve side that has flattered to deceive so far this season.
The injury that forced the impressive Pjanic off at half-time was undeniably concerning but the former Roma man admitted afterwards that he expects to make a swift recovery. “I got a kick just under my calf muscle but I hope everything will be fine to be fit to face Empoli this weekend,” he told Mediaset Premium shortly after the full-time whistle.
“We got the message tonight, were humble and these are the three points we were waiting for.”
Happily, Dybala also got the goal that he was waiting for and the Argentine getting off the mark in such spectacular fashion was the abiding memory on an otherwise pleasing night for everyone involved with Juve – even Pjaca, who enjoyed 20 minutes of game time in what was unquestionably a cakewalk.