Dybala extends Juve’s lead at summit
Juventus moved 10 points clear at the top of Serie A with a 4-1 win over Palermo, with Paulo Dybala curling in a free-kick against his former side.
First half strikes from Paulo Dybala and Claudio Marchisio followed by Gonzalo Higuain's second half strike secured the win, to put the pressure on Roma in their game in hand against the Old Lady's city rivals, Torino.
Max Allegri’s line-up was listed in a 4-2-3-1 formation which had been so successful, with Stefano Sturaro replacing the suspended Mario Mandzukic on the right and Marko Pjaca in for Juan Cuadrado on the other flank.
However, Sturaro occupied a more central role than Mandzukic, making it more of a 4-3-3 shape.
Leonardo Bonucci was making his 300th appearance for the Bianconeri, partnering Medhi Benatia in the centre of defence.
Edoardo Goldaniga risked a red card with a terrible tackle on Sturaro after four minutes, but escaped with a booking.
The Rosanero were almost punished regardless, but Dybala’s freekick rebounded off the outside of the post.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to take the lead. Dybala was fouled by Sinisa Andelkovic, giving the Old Lady a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Gonzalo Higuain was afforded far too much space to get on the end of Dani Alves’ cross, and despite Josip Posavec taking it off his toes, Claudio Marchisio was there to fire home the rebound.
That missed opportunity would prove crucial, as the Bianconeri made it 2-0 just minutes later.
The Rosanero gave away a freekick on the edge of the box, and Dybala curled a glorious strike over the wall and into the top corner.
The pattern of play continued much as it had left off, with Higuain furious with Sturaro after he failed to find the striker with a cutback.
Diego Lopez sent on Toni Sunjic shortly after the break, switching to a back-three in an attempt to stew the flow of Juve attacks.
Higuain got his name on the scoresheet just after the hour mark. Dybala slipped the ball behind the Palermo defence, and his compatriot cooly dinked the ball over Posavec and into the net.
The Palermo goalkeeper was knocked unconscious, with the quick-thinking Andelkovic putting him in the recovery position.
Incredibly, despite having one substitution left and being 3-0 down, Lopez opted not to replace his ‘keeper, who regained consciousness and played on.
Dybala got his second of the night with only two minutes left to play.
Goldaniga inexplicably flicked the ball up in the air, allowing Higuain to run in on goal.
In an effort to make up for his mistake, the defender hauled the Juve man back, but he still managed to pick out Dybala who swept it low into the net.
Gigi Buffon was on the verge of a sixth clean sheet in a row, on the night he equalled Giampiero Boniperti’s appearance record.
The veteran was furious, however, when Ivalyo Chochev was left free to head in from Alessandro Diamanti’s corner.
Roma midfielder Florenzi tears ACL again, out for season
Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee again, ending his season.
Roma team physician Riccardo Del Vescovo made the announcement Friday, saying Florenzi will undergo arthroscopic surgery.
Florenzi has been out since tearing his ACL during a match against Sassuolo in October. He was re-injured in training last week but the injury was not confirmed until it was examined Friday.
Florenzi has scored two goals in 24 appearances for Italy.
Last-place Pescara rehires Zdenek Zeman as coach
Zdenek Zeman was rehired as coach of last-place Serie A club Pescara yesterday, five years after guiding the team to the Serie B title with a record number of goals.
"I returned because I owe something to Pescara," Zeman said. "I don't want this team to finish the season as the worst squad in Europe."
After winning only one of its 24 matches in its return to the top division, Pescara is 14 points from safety with 14 matches remaining.
The 69-year-old Czech coach replaces Massimo Oddo, who was fired Tuesday following a 5-3 loss to Torino.
In 2011-12, Pescara scored a Serie B-record 90 goals in 42 games under Zeman with a team that featured current Italy internationals Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Marco Verratti. Lega Pro C
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