Alvaro Morata scored twice before two defensive mistakes helped Juventus to a 4-1 UEFA Champions League win at Ferencvaros on Wednesday.
Juventus, who were bouncing back from last week’s defeat by FC Barcelona, were too slick for their spirited opponents, who are back in the group stage after a 25-year absence.
The Serie A side cantered home at a soggy Puskas Arena to go second in Group H with six points from three games.
Ferencvaros have one point.
“Games can become easy only if you play well,” said Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini.
“In the first half we were a bit slow with possession, but we raised our tempo in the second half and we managed to earn another important win.”
Juventus got the ideal start when defender Leonardo Bonucci threaded a pass down the right touchline to set Juan Cuadrado away.
The Colombian’s low cross was tapped in by Morata at the far post after seven minutes.
In spite of the early setback, Ferencvaros acquitted themselves well with Tokmac Nguen and Oleksandr Zubkov both having chances but sending shots wide.
Cristiano Ronaldo was always a danger for Juve, however, and nearly added a second after combining with Morata.
But the ball was taken off his foot by Miha Blazic as he was about to shoot.
The Portuguese forward set up Juve’s second on the hour with a low pass into the area which Morata swept home after a Weston McKennie dummy.
The Italian champions were gifted their third goal as goalkeeper Denes Dibusz failed to control Blazic’s awkward backpass.
Substitute Paulo Dybala then slipped the ball into the empty net in the 73rd minute.
Eight minutes later, Dibusz’s attempted pass was intercepted by Dybala and Lasha Dvali turned the ball into his own net as he tried to clear.
Franck Boli pulled one back in the 90th minute, scoring at the second attempt after Wojciech Szczesny saved his first effort.
Reuters/NAN.
