Result: Juventus 3-1 Genoa
Date: 11 April 2021
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Juventus moved within a point second-place AC Milan with a 3-1 victory over Genoa in Serie A action on Sunday afternoon.
Leonardo Bonucci and Federico Bernardeschi remain out due to Covid-19 protocols, while Wojciech Szczesny returned between the sticks as Gianluigi Buffon dropped to the bench.
The hosts got the breakthrough as early as the seventh minute, with the returning Dejan Kulusevski finding the back of the net with a superb curling strike.
Juventus continued to dominate as the first half went on and bagged a second goal on 22 when Alvaro Morata had the simple task of tapping home after Ronaldo hit the upright and Federico Chiesa was denied by Perin.
Genoa, meanwhile, had to wait until the 45th minute for their first real opening at goal, but Szczesny showed great reflexes to keep out Gianluca Scamacca's effort.
Scamacca was not to be denied shortly after the break when he sent a firm header past Szczesny to reduce the deficit for Genoa after meeting a corner from Nicolo Rovella.
Pirlo threw on a double change thereafter as Paulo Dybala and Weston McKennie were thrown on for the final 20 minutes.
The changes paid off immediately as McKennie got his name on the scoresheet with a neat finish from close range after being picked out by Danilo.
There were a couple late chances as Ronaldo looked to get in on the act, but 3-1 was how the encounter as Pirlo's men now look to close in on second spot as league leaders Inter Milan are edging closer to the title.
