By Our Turin Correspondent
JUVENTUS moved within striking distance of the Champions League spots last night as stars Gleison Bremer and Weston McKennie delivered the clinical blows in a 2-0 victory over Genoa.
But while the goalscorers will grab the back-page spreads, it was substitute goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio who emerged as the unlikely hero of the Allianz Stadium. Coming on for the injured Mattia Perin at half-time, Di Gregorio produced a breathtaking double-save from a 75th-minute penalty to ensure Luciano Spalletti’s men didn’t face a nervous finale.
Lightning Start
The Bianconeri didn’t wait long to assert their dominance. Within just four minutes, Brazilian powerhouse Gleison Bremer rose highest to meet Lloyd Kelly’s cushioned knockdown, powering a header past Justin Bijlow.
The home side looked revitalized after a shaky run of domestic form, and the second goal arrived with the kind of “champagne football” the Turin faithful have been craving. In the 17th minute, a lightning-fast counter-attack saw Francisco Conceicao square a perfect ball for Weston McKennie. The American, currently enjoying a career-best season, made no mistake, sweeping the ball into the bottom-left corner for his ninth goal of the campaign.
The Turning Point
Despite the two-goal cushion, the drama peaked late in the second half. A VAR intervention saw Genoa awarded a penalty after Bremer clipped Aaron Martin.
With the pressure mounting, Di Gregorio—who had been dropped in recent weeks—dived low to parry Martin’s spot-kick. Before the Genoa man could react to the rebound, Di Gregorio was back on his feet to pull off a sensational point-blank stop that drew a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Star Watch
Weston McKennie: The engine room. His movement off the ball was a constant nightmare for the Genoa defense, and his finishing was top-drawer.
Gleison Bremer: Dominant in the air at both ends. Despite conceding the penalty, his opening goal set the tone for a commanding performance.
Michele Di Gregorio: Proved his worth with a “Man of the Match” cameo. His double-save was the definitive moment that killed off any hope of a Genoa comeback.
The win sees Juventus leapfrog Roma and close the gap on fourth-placed Como to just a single point. If Spalletti’s stars keep shining like this, a return to Europe’s top table is all but a formality.
Full Time: Juventus 2 – 0 Genoa
Scorers: Bremer (4’), McKennie (17’)
Attendance: 41,250
