Juventus 2-0 Salernitana: Player ratings as Old Lady ease to victory

Juventus responded to their midweek Champions League exit with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Salernitana to strengthen their Scudetto push.

It took just four minutes for the hosts to soothe the anxiety in the Allianz Stadium. A neat move involving Juan Cuadrado and Dusan Vlahovic on the corner of the penalty box released Paulo Dybala and, when the Argentine beat his marker with a deft check inside, he fired his finish in off the near post.

The Argentine ought to have doubled Juve's lead just eight minutes later when he latched onto a Cuadrado cross-field pass. However, he elected to dink his finish over Salernitana goalkeeper Luigi Sepe and over the crossbar.

The home side were purring in the opening exchanges, and it was Vlahovic's turn to go close in the 20th minute. Dybala was unselfish after being sent through by a lofted pass Luca Pellegrini, laying the ball into the path of his strike partner, but the Serbian's chipped finish was quickly smothered by Sepe.

However, the January arrival was wheeling away in celebration just six minutes later to double Juve's advantage. Mattia De Sciglio hung up a delicious cross from the right and the Serbian rose above Pasquale Mazzocchi to divert his header into the bottom corner.

With Juventus in control, it took until the introduction of Simone Verdi in the second half to inject life into Salernitana. The winger drew a fine diving save from Wojciech Szczesny after working the ball onto his favoured foot at the edge of the penalty area.

The Old Lady remained a threat on the counter-attack, with Vlahovic going close from a narrow angle before Pellegrini glanced De Sciglio's cross over the crossbar.

Federico Bonazzoli then prompted an acrobatic stop from Szczesny when he caught Milan Djuric's headed knockdown sweetly on the first-time volley.

Juve, however, appeared in little danger of throwing their lead away, moving to within a point of Inter in 3rd place when referee Giovanni Ayroldi blew his full-time whistle.

Here's how the Old Lady rated.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - 6/10 - Enjoyed a comfortable afternoon, although he was called into action a few times in the second half.

Mattia De Sciglio (RB) - 8/10 - Stood up a gorgeous cross for Vlahovic, as well as a few others throughout the afternoon, to head home. Strong on the defensive side.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - 7/10 - Looks assured in defence alongside the experienced Chiellini, mopping up behind his defensive line on a few occasions.

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) - 5/10 - Made his 552nd appearance for Juventus, moving him into third in the all-time appearance list at the club. Withdrawn at the interval.

Luca Pellegrini (LB) - 7/10 - Produced a gorgeous lofted pass to release Dybala from inside his own defensive third, underlining the confidence currently underpinning his performances. Booked for simulation which rules him out of the clash with Inter.

2. Midfielders

Juan Cuadrado (RM) - 8/10 - Involved in everything good for Juve, with his incisive passes infield wreaking havoc in the first half.

Danilo (CM) - 7/10 - Operated in an unfamiliar central role in midfield, but his slightly deeper position compared to Arthur allowed Juve to maintain control.

Arthur (CM) - 6/10 - Really diligent at recovering possession in higher areas for Juve, often pushing up to join the Juventus frontline.

Adrien Rabiot (LM) - 4/10 - His touches of the ball were few and far between, but his runs from midfield caused Salernitana a few issues.

3. Forwards

Paulo Dybala (ST) - 9/10 - Looked in the mood from the outset, showing great composure to break the deadlock for Juve. His link-up play with Vlahovic was very promising.

Dusan Vlahovic (ST) - 7/10 - Showed great predatory instinct to double his side's advantage, constantly moving into dangerous goalscoring positions. Perhaps guilty of being slightly wasteful with the ball.

4. Substitutes

Daniele Rugani (CB) - 4/10 - Replaced Chiellini at half time and, one sliced clearance from a cross later, showed why he hasn't nailed down a permanent place under Allegri.

Alvaro Morata (ST) - 4/10 - Didn't have a sighting at goal after replacing Dybala.

Federico Bernardeschi (RM) - N/A

Moise Kean (ST) - N/A

Fabio Miretti (CM) - N/A