Juventus’ two new strikers both scored on their debut as the Turin club beat Lazio 2-0 to lift the Supercoppa Italiana in China on Saturday.
Croatian international striker Mario Mandzukic and Argentine Paulo Dybala, both signed this summer, breached Lazio’s net in the second half with two well-taken goals.
Both teams fielded strong sides in a match played in front of a large crowd at the 60,000-capacity Shanghai Stadium, but there was little entertainment on offer for much of the evening, save for a half-time performance by a trio of Chinese traditional musicians.
Photo: EPA
It took until the 26th minute before either goalkeeper was called into action, when Juventus’ Stephan Lichtsteiner unleashed a long-range shot which flew over the Lazio bar.
The first half was a torrid midfield battle which saw Juventus’ Paul Pogba heavily involved in much of the action, but he was unable to create any clear-cut chances for his side.
In the second half, the teams appeared to toil somewhat in the humid evening heat.
However, not long after the restart, Pogba again made his presence felt with a spectacular long-distance drive that flew just wide of Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti’s right post.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 69th minute when Mandzukic rose majestically to head home a dangerous cross.
An unperturbed Lazio almost equalized moments later when Brazilian playmaker Felipe Anderson unleashed a powerful half-volley from the edge of box, which Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon saved well.
However, Juventus extended their lead in the 73rd minute when Pogba neatly controlled a high ball and laid it off in the box to Dybala.
The Argentine striker, who joined Juventus from fellow Serie A side US Citta di Palermo, then scored by smashing the ball into the net from the middle of the box.
Dybala’s emphatic finish killed the game somewhat, with Juventus going on to lift the winner’s trophy in a lively ceremony after the final whistle, which delighted the club’s numerous Chinese supporters cheering on from the stands.
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