Juventus moved to within one point of the Champions League qualification places in Serie A after securing a 2-0 victory over Genoa on Monday night.
The Turin-based side took advantage of fourth-placed Como’s goalless draw with Udinese earlier in the day to strengthen their push for a top-four finish.
Juventus made a strong start at home in Turin, opening the scoring in the fourth minute through a header from Gleison Bremer. The defender’s early goal set the tone for the match.
Just 13 minutes later, Weston McKennie doubled the lead with a well-taken strike in the 17th minute, giving the hosts a comfortable advantage.
McKennie’s goal brought his tally in Serie A this season to five, equalling his best-ever league return set during his first campaign with Juventus in the 2020/21 season. Despite the milestone, the American midfielder insisted the team’s main objective remains qualification for Europe’s top club competition.
“The important thing is getting into the Champions League,” McKennie told DAZN after the match.
Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti was appointed with the aim of guiding the club back into the Champions League, and the result extended his team’s unbeaten run to five matches.
However, the hosts had goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio to thank for preserving the clean sheet after Genoa threatened a comeback.
Di Gregorio produced a brilliant double save, first denying Aaron Martin from the penalty spot before blocking a follow-up volley from Vitinha.
The goalkeeper’s performance was particularly notable after a difficult season that saw him dropped from the first team in February following a string of errors. He returned to the starting line-up after Mattia Perin was substituted at half-time due to a calf injury.
Bremer later praised his teammate, saying the club had always believed in his quality despite the challenging period.
The victory created some breathing space between fifth-placed Juventus and sixth-placed AS Roma, who suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat to league leaders Inter Milan on Sunday.
Juventus also sit four points ahead of Atalanta, who secured a 3-0 win over Lecce thanks to goals from Giorgio Scalvini, Nikola Krstovic and Giacomo Raspadori.
The race for Champions League places is expected to intensify in the coming days, with Juventus set to face Atalanta in Bergamo on Saturday, while Como will host Inter Milan the following day.
Despite the defeat, Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, remain six points clear of the relegation zone as the battle for survival continues in the closing stages of the season.
