Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain Finally Click, and It’s Huge for Juventus

Having laboured in recent weeks, Tuesday night saw Juventus rediscover their cutting edge in attack, running out comfortable 4-0 winners away to Dinamo Zagreb in their second UEFA Champions League group game.

Indeed, before this encounter at the Stadion Maksimir, the Bianconeri opened their 2016/17 European campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw to Sevilla, while also looking far from their best in Serie A wins over Cagliari and Palermo as well as a 2-1 loss to Inter Milan at San Siro.

“I think, though, that Juventus must get our feet back on the ground and be practical and solid,” coach Massimiliano Allegri demanded at his pre-match press conference. “The fact is that to win games you have to work, sweat, toil and play well.”

Clearly the Juve boss was expecting his players to show improvement, and they would do just that, turning on the style somewhat in a match that showcased the very best talents of their two major summer signings.

Just in case the Bianconeri needed a helping hand to kickstart their season, Dinamo’s back line was certainly in a charitable mood after just 24 minutes. Leonardo Bonucci played a long ball forward that Leonardo Sigali inexplicably flicked backwards, and Miralem Pjanic snuck in behind the defence to slot beyond goalkeeper Adrian Semper.

It was almost comical in execution and just what the ailing Old Lady needed, putting her firmly in the driving seat, but the scorer went on to ensure they did not look back in a thoroughly dominant opening 45 minutes.

Allegri appears to have learned his lesson after testing Pjanic in the central role of his 3-5-2 against Inter, once again fielding him on the left of the midfield three where he can move much more freely around the pitch.

The 26-year-old was everywhere in the first half, winning tackles, pressing defenders and working in unison with those around him, but—as the FourFourTwo Stats Zone graphic in the tweet below highlights—it was his passing that truly made the difference.

Great 45 minutes from @Miralem_Pjanic; a goal, an assist & 23/31 passes complete (via @StatsZone) #DZGJuve pic.twitter.com/NtV9jdSuvq

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) September 27, 2016

He may have only connected with 23 attempts, but his range and vision repeatedly opened up the home side, who could not seem to get close enough to Pjanic as he drifted between markers to distribute the ball in wonderful fashion.

“It was like watching a young Andrea Pirlo stroll around out there, bossing the game,” one …

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