TURIN — Paulo Dybala orchestrated his former side’s destruction as Juventus beat relegation-threatened Palermo 4-1 to move 10 points clear in Serie A Friday.
Dybala, who also hit the post, scored two and set up another against the side that brought him to Italy from Argentina. The 23-year-old didn’t celebrate after his goals.
Claudio Marchisio and Gonzalo Higuain were also on the scoresheet. Palermo’s Ivaylo Chochev scored a consolation goal.
Juventus, which is marching toward an unprecedented sixth successive Serie A title, extended its lead over second-placed Roma.
The result also extended Juve’s Serie A record to 29 consecutive home wins and leaves it full of confidence ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 match against Porto.
“Out of respect to my former teammates and Palermo fans, I didn’t celebrate. I had three great years at Palermo,” Dybala said.
Monaco rallies for a draw
French Ligue 1 leaders Monaco had to come from behind to draw 1-1 away to Bastia Friday in an unconvincing performance ahead of its impending Champion League showdown with Manchester City.
Sadio Diallo had given the struggling Corsicans the lead in the first half before Bernardo Silva headed Monaco level early in the second period.
The result maintains Monaco’s unbeaten record in 2017 and extends its lead at the top of the table to four points from Paris Saint-Germain.
Chicharito scores twice
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez was on target twice as Bayer Leverkusen warmed up for their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid by winning 3-1 at Augsburg in the Bundesliga Friday.
Roger Schmidt’s side went in front midway through the first half when Kai Havertz squared from the right for Karim Bellarabi to score the 50,000th goal in the history of the Bundesliga.
Chicharito doubled Leverkusen’s lead from close range, and after Dominik Kohr pulled a goal back on the hour, the Mexican striker netted again from another Havertz assist to secure the win. — Agencies
