Goals from Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez guided Juventus to a 2-0 win over Malmo in their Champions League clash this evening.
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The visitors pressed early in the game and Stephan Lichtsteiner did well down the right as he raided forward and cut the ball back to Arturo Vidal on the edge of the area. The midfielder then powered an effort at goal, which was well saved by Robin Olsen.
Juventus were dominating possession in the match, but were struggling to carve out opportunities in the final third as Malmo defended well in numbers to stifle the visitors' quick passing game.
Massimiliano Allegri's side threatened when Andrea Pirlo produced a moment of magic out of nothing as he released the run of Claudio Marchisio over the top of the Malmo defence. The Italy international had to stretch for the ball and couldn't get enough contact to poke it past Olsen.
The visitors could have taken the lead just before the break when Vidal picked out Marchisio at the back post, but his effort on the first-time volley was well saved by Olsen.
Malmo had an excellent chance to go ahead on the whistle when Markus Rosenberg raided upfield following a poor free kick from Pirlo. The striker drove to the edge of the area, but he fired his shot just past the post.
In the second half, Marchisio should have broken the deadlock when a loose ball fell to him inside the penalty area, but his shot was well saved by the sprawling dive of Olsen.
However, Juventus did take the lead in the 49th minute when Marchisio released the run of Llorente through the middle, and the striker kept his composure to round Olsen and slot the ball home.
The visitors tried to kill the game off as Vidal teed up Marchisio on the edge of the area with a pinpoint pass, but the midfielder's effort at goal was beaten away by Olsen.
Juventus sealed their win in the 88th minute when Tevez slotted the ball past Olsen after latching on to Paul Pogba's through-ball. Matters got worse side when Erik Johanssen was sent off for his second bookable offence.
Simon Sinclair
