The Vecchia Signora never looked back after Marchisio put the
Italians into an early lead, and ran out comfortable winners to leapfrog
Chelsea into second place with two to play
Juventus gave their hopes of making the next
round of the Uefa Champions League a big boost after a commanding
victory over FC Nordsjelland, running out 4-0 winners at home to record
their first victory in Group E. Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal,
Sebastian Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella all hit home against the
hapless visitors, who never looked like getting into a game against a Bianconeri outfit with a point to prove.
Juventus went into the game still hurting
after seeing their 49-game unbeaten run in Serie A ended by Inter at the
weekend. However, the healing process began almost instantaneously, Claudio Marchisio
slotting home from close range just five minutes in after stealing a
march on Jores Okore to get on the end of Mauricio Isla’s low cross from
the right.
The Italy international was nearly celebrating again
moments later but after deftly controlling Arturo Vidal’s through-ball
on his knee, his subsequent snap volley was well saved by Jesper Hansen.
The Bianconeri kept coming, though, and Vidal
made amends for skying the ball over the bar when well placed in the
area by making it 2-0 in what were farcical circumstances from an FCN
perspective midway through the first half, the Chilean beating Hansen at
the near post with a tackle-cum-shot, after Kasper Lorentzen had
dallied on the ball in the area.
There was no respite for the Danes, who were completely
outclassed in a one-sided first half. A perfect corner from Andrea Pirlo
found Alessandro Matri waiting, but his header could only find the
crossbar. Moments later it was Hansen who once again came to the rescue
when he fended away a storming effort from Marchisio, but Juve would not
have to wait long to record their third.
Giovinco
was given space to move on the right hand side of the box, and the
striker released a beautifully-executed looping shot that gave the
goalkeeper absolutely no chance. 3-0 up going into the break, the Bianconeri were already closing in on what would be a crucial Champions League victory in front of their own fans.
Just
three minutes after the restart, the vibrant hosts were already on the
march looking to add to their tally. Vidal had the chance to let loose
with a volley from the edge of the box, but Hansen was equal to the
challenge and held to keep Juve at bay. There followed, however, a
noticeable drop in match's intensity, as Angelo Alessio withdrew
goalscorers Giovinco and Vidal and the Italians began to cruise to an
inevitable three points.
With an hour played FCN had their best
effort of the match, finally forcing a save from Gianluigi Buffon after a
decent effort off the boot of Patrick Mtiliga. Going straight back on
the offensive, Alessandro Matri was left clean through against Hansen
and should have added a fourth, but the striker hesitated in going round
the keeper and saw his chance evaporate.
There was to be one more flourish for Juve. Pirlo's corner was headed across the goalmouth by Matri, and Fabio Quagliarella was on hand to complete the rout.
The
win puts the Italian champions up to second place in their group, with
six points in their first four games leaving them two behind leaders
Shakhtar Donetsk. FCN, meanwhile, continue at the foot of the standings
with just one draw so far.
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