Juventus Star Paul Pogba Delivers Victory over Sassuolo for Drab Bianconeri

The reigning Serie A champions welcomed Sassuolo to Juventus Stadium on Monday evening, the Bianconeri fully aware that their closest rivals had slipped up once again at the weekend. Chievo held AS Roma to a draw, a result that meant a win for the home side would extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.

Their recent results had seen their own form fluctuate wildly, however, beating Borussia Dortmund and then playing the Giallorossi to a stalemate a week ago, then capitulating to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. That final game was perhaps understandable, the high level of intensity over their previous two outings leading to a somewhat inevitable slump.

Yet, still, questions were asked, and Massimiliano Allegri told a pre-match press conference that he and the players “calmly sat down” to review the game against the Viola, per the club’s official website. Noting that reports had labelled the performance “a disaster,” the Juve boss spoke of the need to quickly rediscover their best form.

“We must improve, stop conceding and work on our focus, because we’re at the final straight of the season,” he continued. “We’re in good physical shape though, and we’ll need to put in a great performance on Monday night.”

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As the game began, it seemed the side he sent out on the field had failed to heed that warning. Passes went astray, and the match slowly slipped into the kind of dull affair that appears destined to fade into a drab goalless draw.

Fans made their displeasure known at half-time, and after the break the effort level appeared to rise accordingly as both sides went in search of a goal. Sassuolo’s exciting trio of young attacking players caused constant problems for the Juve defence, with Domenico Berardi, Nicola Sansone and Simone Zaza each posing a threat as the game wore on.

Then, after 83 minutes of monotony, Paul Pogba rose to the occasion. As with the world’s finest players, the midfielder delivered when his side needed him to, smashing home Simone Pepe’s pass on the half-volley.

Goalkeeper Andrea Consigli stood little hope. The player clearly recognised the significance of his goal, however, and also told Sky Italia shortly after the game that the team needs support from those in the stands (h/t Football Italia):

"

It was a very, very difficult match and the victory is very important for this Scudetto. The pass was for someone else, but I felt it and I went for the ball. It went well.

I thank the whole team and the fans. It’s tough for them too, but we need them throughout the season. I want to tell the supporters we need you, especially if we are playing badly, because we all win together.

"

Another who perhaps deserves credit is Pogba’s compatriot Patrice Evra, who coped well with the threat of Berardi here. The youngster had little joy against the former Manchester United full-back as he made four tackles, four interceptions and won one aerial duel, according to statistics from WhoScored.com.

In the dying minutes, Allegri also took the opportunity to give Andrea Barzagli a chance to get onto the pitch. The Italian international has been out with a heel injury since the World Cup but came on as an 87th-minute substitute for Carlos Tevez, much to the delight of everyone watching.

It was a difficult match, but it was the kind of win that helps to deliver titles, as championship-winning teams so often find a way. Yet Allegri was in no mood to celebrate after the final whistle, telling Sky Italia that the race for the Scudetto is far from over.

“There’s a long way to go, we need to be calm and balanced, there’s no rush,” he told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia). “We have a series of games coming up in Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia.”

The difference between a win and a draw here could eventually prove vital for the Old Lady as she pursues a fourth consecutive Serie A crown, however, and she has Paul Pogba to thank for collecting all three points.