Arthur scored his first goal for Juventus as the defending champions beat Bologna 2-0 to go fourth in Serie A. (More Football News)
Juventus moved seven points behind leaders Milan with a game in hand despite not being at their best against Bologna
Arthur scored his first goal for Juventus as the defending champions beat Bologna 2-0 to go fourth in Serie A. (More Football News)
Juve claimed their first trophy under boss Andrea Pirlo with a Supercoppa Italiana victory over Napoli in midweek and got their title bid back on track at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Arthur's deflected first-half strike and a Weston McKennie header moved the Turin giants seven points adrift of leaders Milan with a game in hand.
Juve, beaten by Inter last weekend, were not at their best but although Bologna had their chances, they are now without a win over the Bianconeri in 19 attempts.
Pirlo's side took the lead in fortuitous fashion after 15 minutes, when Arthur's long-range drive struck Jerdy Schouten and gave wrongfooted goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski no chance.
Skorupski produced a fine double save to prevent Juve from increasing their advantage, using his feet to deny Federico Bernardeschi from close range after palming away a strike from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Juan Cuadrado fired wastefully off target before Roberto Soriano went close to equalising late in the first half with a shot from inside the penalty area that flashed wide.
A fine reflex save from Wojciech Szczesny prevented Cuadrado's header from gifting Bologna an own goal early in the second half and the Juve keeper once again had to be alert keep out Riccardo Orsolini's left-footed strike.
Bologna were made to pay for their profligacy when an unmarked McKennie nodded in Cuadrado's corner 19 minutes from time.
Skorupski denied McKennie a quickfire double with a great reaction save before preventing Alvaro Morata from adding a third goal at his near post.
The busy Skorupski beat away Adrien Rabiot's left-footed shot and saved a powerful Ronaldo strike as Juve saw out a comfortable win.
What does it mean?
Pirlo called for Juve to be more consistent ahead of the game and this was certainly a start, although they were not particularly convincing.
Although more clinical opponents would have capitalised on what was at times casual defending, the champions have now kept back-to-back clean sheets and this was just the fourth time they have not conceded in Serie A this season.
It has been a good weekend for Juve after Milan were soundly beaten at home by Atalanta and Inter drew at Udinese on Saturday.
McKennie rewarded for all-action display
United States midfielder McKennie put in a big shift and was rewarded with his fourth goal of the season. Skorupski somehow prevented him from claiming a double and McKennie had five shots, and three key passes – no player on the pitch had more in either category.
Frustration for Ronaldo
The usually ruthless Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure as he failed to add to his tally of 20 goals for the season. After the Czech Republic Football Association this week claimed the Portugal forward did not break Josef Bican's all-time goalscoring record at Napoli, Ronaldo was unable to add to his incredible haul of 760 competitive goals.
Key Opta Facts
- Juve have won their past nine Serie A meetings with Bologna by an aggregate score of 20-3.
- Ronaldo has failed to score in two successive Serie A appearances for the first time since November 2019.
- Juve have kept a clean sheet in two straight games in all competitions for the first time since last June.
What's next?
Juve will be expected to get past SPAL and reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, while Bologna are at home to leaders Milan in Serie A on Saturday.