Analysis: Juventus’ ability to win when playing badly is crucial

Juventus maintained their pristine start to the Serie A campaign with a victory over relegation favourites Frosinone that was much more problematic than the 2-0 scoreline suggests.

The promoted minnows were annihilated 5-0 by Sampdoria in their previous home match, and that dismal result heightened the expectation for Juventus to come away with a comfortable win.

But, as has been symptomatic of the gritty Bianconeri this term, Juventus were made to fight and were almost denied three points; fatigue and defensive naivety eventually orchestrating Frosinone’s unfortunate downfall.

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Perhaps the most significant deduction from the match is that Juventus were far from their prime. Despite that, they still managed to come away with a triumph, a clean sheet and an unscathed record. And that characteristic – indicative of Europe’s very best clubs – will help Juve go a long way this season.

Roma, Napoli, Lazio and Inter Milan have already dropped several points after questionable exhibitions against lesser clubs. Inter, especially, have already suffered shocks at the hands of Torino, Sassuolo and Parma in the opening five matches and arguably have irreparable dents to their previously ardent hopes of lifting the Scudetto.

Juventus have scarcely been better in terms of quality, however they set themselves aside from the chasing pack with goals at vital moments and rich stability in the right areas. Although the likes of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic served as little more than periphery figures at Frosinone, defensively Juventus went untested and eventually Cristiano Ronaldo made his customary impact.

Juventus’ start has only been strong on paper

Five wins out of five with eleven goals scored and four conceded are statistics any title hopefuls would be incredibly proud of.

That is how Juventus shape up in the infant stages of Serie A, but somehow their season has begun with discontent, close calls and disciplinary hiccups.

Even in Europe, the Old Lady survived the setback of Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card to successfully negotiate a daunting challenge at Valencia.

Narrow victories over Chievo – relying on a last-gasp winner – Sassuolo and Parma have all given Juventus brief worry in the early challenges of their Scudetto defence.

They have come through all of them unwaveringly strong, and already possess a healthy three point lead atop Serie A. And, even though they have not been playing at a level Max Allegri will be impressed with, somehow the aura that they are unlikely to slip up means Juventus will continue gathering momentum and open up the gap at the summit.

Their supposed rivals Napoli, Inter and Roma have already displayed severe frailties, and it suggests that perhaps Juventus will be less troubled on the avenue to their ninth successive championship.

Can they clinch the Scudetto with ease this season?