(Football news) Juventus solidified their UCL status after they won 2-1 against the giant killers Sassuolo. The win moved Juve to 66 points from 34 matches, which is one point behind Napoli in third and eight clear of AS Roma in fifth in the race for European football next season. The match began with Sassuolo having the better of the opening chances, as they deservedly took the lead when Italy forward Giacomo Raspadori drilled a powerful shot past Wojciech Szczesny at his near post in the 38th minute.

Juventus really struggled in the first half but with their first real attempt at goal moments before the end of the first half, the visitors levelled through Paulo Dybala, who fired a powerful shot from inside the penalty area. Alvaro Morata thought he had scored early in the second half, but his header was brilliantly saved by Andrea Consigli as they had several close chances that Juve missed in the second half but late in the match Kean turned smartly and struck a shot which the goalkeeper let through his legs as Kean struck the winner two minutes from time. Mid-table Sassuolo, who have 46 points had little to play for in terms of their league position, as they were determined to make Juve's life hard in Emilia-Romagna, and would have gone in front even earlier had Szczesny not made fine saves to deny Domenico Berardi and Raspadori.

Their opener did come through a very well worked move by the Sassuolo players as Raspadori  strike went past Szczesny at his near post from a tight angle. A goal out of nowhere got them back. Dybala, who has recently announced  that he is leaving at the end of the season, gave a reminder to everyone of his quality . Juve dominated in the second half, with Consigli making brilliant saves to keep the scores level before Kean stepped off the bench to win it late on. The victory means Juventus have taken 12 points from losing positions in Serie A since the start of 2022, which is at least five more points than any other team in this period.

"The team has grown a lot, but we have to manage games better," Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. "I don't think about changing a lot of players, but we will need one or two players [signings]. The team is having a good season.

"There is a bit of tiredness, but I thank the guys. Now we have a good advantage over the fifth spot, we are one point behind Napoli and we have to keep working."

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