Sampdoria 0-2 Juventus: 5 Talking Points as Bianconeri go third in the league table | Serie A 2020-21

Juventus defeated Sampdoria 2-0.
Juventus defeated Sampdoria 2-0.

#3 Federico Chiesa continues his fine run of form for Juventus

Federico Chiesa has been in fine goal-scoring form for Juventus.
Federico Chiesa has been in fine goal-scoring form for Juventus.

Federico Chiesa joined Juventus from Fiorentina on a loan deal last summer, but the 23-year-old has become a mainstay under Andrea Pirlo.

He has also found his scoring boot in recent times, scoring a goal and providing an assist in Juventus' 4-0 victory over SPAL in midweek.

The Italy international continued from where he left off by opening the scoring against Sampdoria with an easy finish.

That took his tally for the season to seven goals and six assists for Juventus in all competitions. Five pf these goals and one assist have come in seven matches since the turn of the year, signifying his growing goal-threat in recent weeks.


#2 Scrappy game with more fouls than goal-mouth action

UC Sampdoria vs Juventus- Serie A
UC Sampdoria vs Juventus- Serie A

Sampdoria came into this game having scored in all but one of their previous 13 games in all competitions.

Considering their attacking threat and home advantage, it was expected that Claudio Ranieri's side would give Juventus a run for their money. Fireworks were anticipated in the pre-match buildup, but the reality proved to be much different.

Ranieri seemed to come with a game-plan of trying to stifle the champions rather than going for the win. It was not until the dying stages that the shackles were released from Sampdoria's forwards.

The game was characterised by extreme physicality, with no less than 21 fouls committed, while six yellow cards were issued. By contrast, there was very little goalmouth action, with just four shots on target recorded in the game.


#1 Cristiano Ronaldo produces a quiet performance

Cristiano Ronaldo did not make a mark on the game for Juventus.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not make a mark on the game for Juventus.

Cristiano Ronaldo was one of several Juventus first-team players given a rest for the visit of SPAL.

However, he was back in the thick of things for the trip to Sampdoria, but it was largely a game to forget for the Portuguese superstar.

The 35-year-old showed great ingenuity to combine with Alvaro Morata in the buildup to the opening goal for Juventus. That was, however, as good as it got for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. He was also particularly wasteful despite having more shots than all his Juventus teammates combined.

Nevertheless, just one of his five attempted shots hit the target, while some free-kicks in promising positions went begging.

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