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Juventus traveled to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in a mouthwatering clash. The Italian giants had one business in mind and that business was well accomplished. They emerged victorious thanks to a lone 17th minute Paulo Dybala strike.
We know that Juventus got the vital away 3 points but what does the win really mean for the Bianconeri.
#1 Players’ morale boost
Juventus have been on a roll in the Serie A, with seven consecutive wins and last weekend’s draw against Genoa. The Bianconeri were unbeaten in eight games and held pole position in the Serie A.
I am sure player morale isn’t an issue for them but this is the Champions League, and we have seen clubs performing well in their home leagues only for them to fall short at Europe’s ultimate football stage.
Given their convincing victory, Juventus showed that they too could hold their own against the big clubs. That will go a huge way to boosting the players’ morale.
#2 Group lead widens
Juventus were Group H leaders heading into Old Trafford, Manchester United were second placed with only two points separating them. The match was particularly crucial as the winning team was guaranteed of securing the #1 spot.
A win for United would have seen them leapfrogging Juventus. A draw would still have Juventus at the helm of the group table. The win for Juventus means that the team has a five-point lead over the Red Devils.
The win also gives a lifeline to third-placed Valencia who now harbors hopes of catching up with United. Juventus can now relax and be at ease as the second round of games kick off in a fortnight.
#3 Dybala & Ronaldo are a happy lot
Paulo Dybala is undoubtedly one of Europe’s rising stars and a name that is increasingly gaining a lot of attention. At Old Trafford, Dybala needed to show that he is indeed one of the best, and that he is capable of delivering in the big matches as well.
When the ball came his way in the 17th minute, the Argentine striker didn’t waste the opportunity to be on the scoresheet. He pressed for more goals but his match-winning strike is sure to have validated his worth at a big game in a big league.
News of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford was of great media interest since many days before the match played out. The football world was eager to see how he’d perform against his former club.
As soon as the game got underway, the attention was cast on him. Though not at his scintillating best, Ronaldo should be contented with his performance. And even though he would have loved to appear on the scoresheet, he will surely be impressed with his wonderous strike, that only a world-class keeper like De Gea could save.
#4 They proved they are a team to watch out for
The Champions League is not a minor league, it’s a league where giants meet. A league where champions get to face off. In a game where big matches are the order of the league, the ability to deliver against big teams matters a lot.
It sends a message to your opponents. The impressive win over Manchester United proved that Juventus are one of the teams to be seriously considered as title contenders.
