Pirlo: Dybala’s performances have been improving

It took Juventus some time to unlock a resolute Genoa defence, but once it was breached the visitors took advantage of two penalties to win 3-1.

Speaking after the game, coach Andrea Pirlo was pleased with how his side had gone about the game, showing the right amount of determination and effort to get the opener, and then to break the tie with two further goals.

“The attitude was the most important thing and we had to cancel the Barcelona game from our minds.

“We were against a team that wanted to close up and defend, so we needed patience to get the breakthrough, but also the right attitude to attack them and press them into making errors.

“It was annoying to concede a goal at literally the first shot on target, especially a few minutes after we broke the deadlock, but we recovered from it.”

Alvaro Morata was expected to play after his suspension was reduced to just one game, but Pirlo kept Paulo Dybala in the side, who went on to grab his first goal of the season.

“Paulo needed this goal to break through both psychologically and physically. He did well in the two phases today and we are happy for him.

“His performances have been improving recently and he deserved this goal, we’re very pleased for him.”

The midfield continues to be an issue with not enough being done on a creative front from the middle.

“We have been working on this since the start of the season, being aggressive, press the opponents in their own half, because it also helps you to keep the ball and not run as much if you get it back quickly.

“We don’t have a classic midfield playmaker, but we do have midfielders who can take on a few different roles. It depends on the games and the characteristics of the opponents we are playing.

“We’re trying to make the most of Weston McKennie’s characteristics, as he can ‘invade’ the penalty area very well in central areas, especially when we have Dybala who tends to drift a little wider, and we need someone to attack the space.”