With several characteristic drives on the left side, passes and counters with Mandžukić, returning Marko Pjaca certainly showed Allegri another Croat in the team might give him plenty of joy
A goal and assist by Mario Mandžukić marked the return of Marko Pjaca to the Juventus team. After being out with an injury for over three months, Pjaca played in a friendly match of the eighth finals of the Cup, in which the result was decided before halftime. The main reason why Juventus, excluding the lapse of concentration in the end, easily took on Atalanta (3:2), is Mandžukić, with a pass in the 22nd minute to Dybala, who scored from 18 metres out, with Mandžukić scoring his own in the 34th minute, Jutarnji List reported on January 12, 2017.
The goal against Atalanta is his sixth in the season, while another shot hit the bar. Mandžukić played the entire match, while Pjaca entered in the 62nd minute instead of Dybala and swiftly showed why coach Allegra sees him as an important bonus for Juventus in the rest of the season. Several characteristic drives on the left side, passes and counters with Mandžukić, have certainly showed Allegri another Croat in the team might give him plenty of joy.
“Pjaca is back after 100 days, his playing growth must continue. In the 30 minutes on the pitch he’s done good things. He must improve his fitness, but also adapt to the specifics of Italian football,” said after the match Massimilano Allegri.
The day after the match Italian media praise the Mandžukić and Dybala tandem, responsible for two Juventus goals.
Tuttosport wrote: “Dybala and Mandžukić, what a spectacle. They did what they wanted, to the joy of coach Allegri and fans, as well as the return of Marko Pjaca.”
Gazzetta dello Sport also underlines the great performance of the Croatian forward: “Mandžukić was with Dybala the best Juventus player.”
Satisfaction with Pjaca’s return was also expressed by coach Allegri: “He is a player of great potential who is a joy to watch.”
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