Samp beaten in Turin as Juventus close in on Scudetto
Teams pay for their mistakes in this league, and that is never truer than against the defending champions. Juventus, who edged closer to a seventh straight league title, ran out comfortable winners on Sunday evening after errors either side of the half-time interval cost Sampdoria.
The hosts, a wounded beast after their loss in Madrid but galvanised by Napoli’s draw at the San Siro, made a quick start to the game. Sampdoria held their own for most of the first half, however, defending well and threatening through Gaston Ramirez, a Fabio Quagliarella header and a free kick from Lucas Torreira.
However, the breakthrough for the Bianconeri came towards the end of the first period. Just minutes after replacing Miralem Pjanic, Douglas Costa set up the opening goal. His cross in from the left was finished first time by Mario Mandzukic, who fired high into the net.
It was a hammer blow for Samp, after an encouraging first-half display.
Doria had the first chance of the second half, after Dawid Kownacki robbed Giorgio Chiellini, but Ramirez spurned the opportunity, producing only a tame right-foot shot.
Juventus were not made to work hard for their second goal, with Douglas Costa involved once again on the hour mark. His dinked cross from just inside the area found Benedikt Howedes, who had the simple task of heading home from close range.
Costa bagged his third assist with just 15 minutes to play. He got in behind the Samp defence down the right and played an accurate cut back to Khedira, who fired into the corner to secure the win.
Despite the disappointment, the Blucerchiati still have plenty to play for and attentions now turn to the mid-week contest with Bologna.
Juventus 3-0 Sampdoria (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Mandzukic 45, Howedes 60, Khedira 75.
Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon; Höwedes, Rugani, Chiellini, Asamoah; Cuadrado, Khedira (Sturaro 81), Pjanic (D. Costa 43), Matuidi; Dybala (Bentancur 66), Mandzukic.
Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Szcezesny, Benatia, Marchisio, Higuain, Alex Sandro, Barzagli, Lichsteiner, Sturaro.
Coach: Allegri.
Sampdoria (4-3-1-2): Viviano; Sala, Silvestre, Ferrari, Regini; Barreto (Verre 81), Torreira, Praet; Ramírez (Caprari 60); Quagliarella (Kownacki 46), Zapata.
Subs not used: Belec, Tozzo, Andersen, Alvarez, Linetty, Strinic, Capezzi.
Coach: Giampaolo.
Referee: Mariani (Aprilia).
Assistants: Carbone (Napoli) and Marrazzo (Roma).
Fourth official: Aureliano (Bologna).
VAR: Chiffi (Padova).
Assistant VAR: Peretti (Verona).
Yellow cards: Asamoah 33, Howedes 53.
Added time: 1 + 3 minutes.
