Champions Juventus move into second spot

An eighth successive Serie A victory at the expense of basement side Hellas Verona has lifted champions Juventus up to second in the Serie A standings this afternoon.

Massimiliano Allegri's men started the campaign in slow fashion, but just two points now separate them and leaders Fiorentina thanks largely to the influence of summer signing Paulo Dybala, who was involved in two goals as Juve won 3-0 in front of their own supporters.

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It took the Argentine striker just eight minutes to score what was his third goal in as many league outings. Faced with a five-man Verona wall, Dybala lifted his set piece over the top and inside visiting goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini's near post.

As the half wore on Alvaro Morata, Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio all spurned chances to double the home side's lead, but there were no such problems for Leonardo Bonucci in first-half stoppage time as he opened his goalscoring account for the season.

On this occasion Dybala turned provider when he swung over a cross from the left, which an unmarked Bonucci powered into the back of Gollini's net.

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The Old Lady continued to dominate proceedings after the restart, yet it was not until eight minutes from the end that they were able to score a third goal.

A day after Allegri had insisted that he would not be leaving the club this month, substitute Simone Zaza sprinted clear to latch on to Pogba's through-pass. Then, faced with Gollini, he rounded the keeper before going on to roll the ball into an empty net.