Serie A : Rabiot’s brace gives Juve win over Sampdoria
Insight Online News
Rome, Mar 13 : Juventus suffered a scare before beating bottom side Sampdoria 4-2 in Serie A on Sunday thanks to Adrien Rabiot’s brace, while Roma fell to Sassuolo 4-3 in another goal-fest.
Juve had lost to Roma last time but were coming off a 1-0 UEFA Europa League victory over SC Freiburg in midweek. Massimiliano Allegri made radical changes in Juve’s starting line-up as youth talents Fabio Miretti, Nicolo Fagioli and Enzo Barrenechea started in the midfield.
The home side made a good start as a pair of headers from Gleison Bremer and Rabiot helped them surge into a 2-0 lead after 26 minutes, but the Bianconeri took their foot off the gas later on as Samp got back on level terms in just two minutes.
Rabiot came to Juve’s rescue in the 64th minute when Fagioli’s pass found the Frenchman who immediately hit in a volley.
Dusan Vlahovic fumbled a spot-kick minutes later, but substitute Matias Soule’s maiden league goal in the dying minutes sealed the win for Juve.
Elsewhere, Armand Lauriente’s brace earned Sassuolo a 2-0 lead at Stadio Olimpico within 20 minutes. Although Nicola Zalewski pulled one back for Roma in the 26th minute, Marash Kumbulla’s foul in the box resulted in both a red card and a penalty that Domenico Berardi converted.
Roma burst into life with Paulo Dybala’s stunner in the 50th minute, but Andrea Pinamonti’s goal shattered the Giallorossi’s hope, making Georginio Wijnaldum’s angle drive in the closing stage a mere consolation.
Also on Sunday, Torino beat Lecce 2-0, Fiorentina conquered Cremonese 2-0, and Hellas Verona shared the spoils with Monza at 1-1.
UNIINDIA / XINHUA
