Gonzalo Higuain Showing Why Juventus Smashed Their Transfer Record to Sign Him

Having struggled in their last Serie A outing against Palermo a week ago, the first half of Sunday’s visit to Empoli appeared to be heading much the same way. For the opening 45 minutes at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, the Old Lady were clearly in control but could not find a way past Lukasz Skorupski.

Indeed, the Polish goalkeeper was in superb form to deny a string of chances for Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado, with Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri admitting at his post-match press conference that the Bianconeri struggled to break down their resolute Tuscan opponents:

We could have taken the lead in the first half. Empoli were pressing us hard and there were a couple of times when we lost the ball and afforded them a few three-on-three breaks. We need to be more focused because it only takes a set piece or a counter-attack for your opponents to score in a match like this.

Their own defence held firm, however, and they eventually took the lead after Alex Sandro—who otherwise endured a poor outing—rolled the ball across the box to Dybala. The Argentina international took one touch before launching a powerful shot into the roof of the net, wheeling away in sheer delight at bagging his first league goal of the campaign.

Dybala’s goal. https://t.co/k7GAEu0W1g

— Khaledalnouss (@khaledalnouss1) October 2, 2016

“I needed that goal in Serie A. I think that after [Dinamo] Zagreb I’ve broken through and will be fine from now on,” Dybala told Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia) shortly after the final whistle, his goal coming just days after he found the net in the UEFA Champions League clash in Croatia.

It was a strike that broke the spirit of Giovanni Martusciello’s Empoli, with Juventus then completely dominating and one man in particular coming to the fore. Following Dybala’s 65th-minute opener, Gonzalo Higuain put on a master class of attacking prowess that ended this tie in abrupt and emphatic fashion.

Surging forward towards the penalty area just two minutes later, even a plethora of defenders looking to close him down could not deter the 28-year-old, his left-footed effort from outside the area leaving Skorupski with no hope of stopping it.

GOOOL HIGUAIN!!! What a play from Juventus and what a finish from Pipita! 2-0 Juventus over Empoli! pic.twitter.com/EOCfSKgzM5

— ItalianFootballTV (@IFTV_Official) October 2, 2016

It was the kind of goal that showcased his ruthless determination, collecting the ball and instantly powering …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com