Without Ronaldo’s goal Juve remain super against Sampdoria

Juventus continued to move on in their superlative manner in Italy with a 2-0 away win over Sampdoria.

Federico Chiesa’s early goal and a stoppage-time Aaron Ramsey counter-attack proved the difference, as Juventus did the bare minimum to take all three points against Sampdoria.

The Bianconeri had recently closed the gap on the leaders and were also preparing for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final with Inter. Paulo Dybala was injured, with Dejan Kulusevski suspended. Samp chose Keita Balde Diao alongside Fabio Quagliarella, with Manolo Gabbiadini the only absentee.

Juve took the lead with their first genuine scoring opportunity. It was a well-worked move, as Cristiano Ronaldo spread it down the right for Alvaro Morata, who rolled across the six-yard box for Federico Chiesa’s tap-in.

read also:Juventus star McKennie’s house burgled during game

Ronaldo’s rasping strike from distance was deflected just over the bar, then he sprung the offside trap, but Emil Audero did enough to force him wide and narrow the angle.

CR7 was clear on goal from a Rodrigo Bentancur ball over the top, but was denied by a sensational Maya Yoshida sliding tackle inside the penalty area.

The two old men on the pitch showed they’ve still got it, as Quagliarella – who turns 38 tomorrow – managed control and volley on the turn, but Giorgio Chiellini made a sensational acrobatic block at the near post.

Morata had the ball in the net, but he was offside on a long Leonardo Bonucci ball, as Samp started to pour forward. Szczesny had his gloves stung by Quagliarella from a tight angle and Keita Balde Diao’s header was deflected wide.

Juve spent almost the entire second half trying to protect their 1-0 lead under heavy rain. It worked because as Samp were pouring forward in stoppages, Ronaldo’s long ball sent Cuadrado sprinting forward and the Colombian pretended to shoot but instead rolled across for unmarked Ramsey to prod home.