Juventus 2-1 Verona: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Uninspiring Bianconeri Labour to Narrow Win

Juventus fought back from a goal down against Verona to earn a 2-1 win in Turin, sealed by Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty.

A mad 15 seconds saw Verona take a shock lead, first hitting the post with a penalty, then smashing the crossbar on the rebound, only for Miguel Veloso to hit a 30-yard belter which flew into the top corner. 

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Debutant Aaron Ramsey equalised for the home side just after the half-hour mark, his long-range effort deflecting beyond the Verona goalkeeper. A Ronaldo spot-kick handed Juve the lead just after half-time, putting Maurizio Sarri's side in control at the Allianz Stadium. 

The away side had chances to steal a point late on, but the hosts held on to a valuable three points thanks to a good reflex save by Gianluigi Buffon.

Here's 90min's breakdown of the game.

Juventus 

Key Talking Point 

Much has been made of Juventus' slow start to the season as they begin to settle into life under Sarri, but there were green shoots of progress, especially in the second half. 

I Bianconeri's defence made a shaky start to the game, conceding a penalty and looking far too susceptible when Verona drove at the heart of the Juve backline. 

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Sarri has struggled to replace the injured Giorgio Chiellini, and Matthijs de Ligt has looked far from sturdy when given a chance in the first team. 

The home side looked far more fluid and cohesive going forward on Saturday evening, and their new boss will be pleased with some of the link-up play that his attackers produced. Juve are taking their time, but they seem to be finding their rhythm in the post Max Allegri era.

Player Ratings 

Starting XI: Buffon (7); Danilo (6), Bonucci (7), Demiral (5), Alex Sandro (7); Ramsey (7), Bentancur (7), Matuidi (7); Cuadrado (8), Dybala (7), Cristiano Ronaldo (7)

Substitutes: Pjanic (6), Higuain (6), Khedira (6)

STAR MAN - Juan Cuadrado just keeps on fighting his way back into this Juventus side. The Colombian winger may not be the most talented or clinical player in the squad, but his work-rate and desire makes him a valuable asset to Sarri's team. 

Cuadrado's role iat Juve is very similar to that of Jose Callejon at Napoli under the Italian boss, who loves a hard-working and pacy wide player to run in behind and cause problems. The 31-year-old did exactly that, giving the Verona full-back a constant headache during the game, and eventually winning a penalty with one of his trademark runs. 

A typically solid performance by Cuadrado. 

Verona 

Key Talking Point

Well, we must all thank Verona for treating us to the most bizarre but amazing 15 seconds of football that we've seen this season. When you travel to the Italian Champions, you need to take your chances, but the newly-promoted side demonstrated that three was the lucky number on Saturday evening. 

The away side were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes, which Samuel Di Carmine crashed against the post. Chance over, you'd think. But no! The rebound fell to a yellow shirt, and with Buffon in no-man's land, the ball once again smashed the woodwork, this time the crossbar. 

With the opportunity seemingly gone forever, Miguel Veloso shows the entire stadium how its done, sending in a rasping effort from 30 yards which the legendary Italian goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent. 

If at first you don't succeed.... 

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Silvestri (6); Faraoni (6), Rrahmani (6), Kumbulla (5), Gunter (4), Lazovic (6); Veloso (7), Amrabat (6), Verre (6), Zaccagni (6); Di Carmine (5)

Substitutes: Pessina (6), Tutino (6), Pazzini (N/A)

STAR MAN - Yes, he did score an absolute screamer, but that's not the only reason he's got the nod as Verona's star man. Veloso worked tirelessly in the midfield, and at the age of 33, that's no mean feat. 

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The Portuguese star put in a determined display for his side, who pushed the hosts all the way in a tense evening in Turin. And obviously, he scored one of the goals of the season to put I Gialloblu ahead, which will be a priceless memory to every Verona fan who made the journey on Saturday evening.

Thank you, Miguel.

Looking Ahead 

Juve will be satisfied with their efforts on Saturday evening, and Sarri's side will take plenty of encouragement going in to their next fixture away at newly-promoted Brescia on Tuesday. 

Verona will be keen to get back to winning ways and put some vital points on the board when they host Udinese in a huge match at the bottom of the league.