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dyb-ine intervention

Sassuolo 1 Juventus 3: Paulo Dybala second hat-trick of campaign makes it eight goals in four games

He is first player in Europe's top five leagues since Wayne Rooney to score eight goals in his first four matches

PAULO DYBALA continued his incredible start to the campaign with another hat-trick as Juventus maintained their 100 per cent to the season in Serie A.

This was a match the champions were expected to win comfortably, despite Sassuolo's formidable home record — they were undefeated at Mapei since April.

 Paulo Dybala was the Juventus hat-trick hero in win over Sassuolo
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Paulo Dybala was the Juventus hat-trick hero in win over SassuoloCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Paulo Dybala fires in sublime free-kick to complete his hat-trick
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Paulo Dybala fires in sublime free-kick to complete his hat-trickCredit: AP:Associated Press

The Argentina international got the Bianconeri off to a flying start with a sublime opener.

Mario Mandzukic played a ball across the box from the left wing — and Dybala ran onto it to catch the ball perfectly and curl it into the bottom corner.

Despite being once again heavy favourites to make it seven Serie A titles in a row, there are still massive question marks over the Old Lady's usually reliable backline.

And they were put to the test by Sassuolo.

However, just after half-time, it was 2-0 as Juan Cuadrado played the ball to Dybala, who found himself surrounded by six defenders.

Yet, he adjusted his feet to poke the ball home.

 Despite being surrounded by Sassuolo players, Paulo Dybala fired in second
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Despite being surrounded by Sassuolo players, Paulo Dybala fired in secondCredit: Reuters
 Gianluigi Buffon throws his shirt into Juventus fans at full-time of encounter
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Gianluigi Buffon throws his shirt into Juventus fans at full-time of encounterCredit: Reuters
 Gonzalo Higuain endured another frustrating afternoon for Juventus
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Gonzalo Higuain endured another frustrating afternoon for JuventusCredit: AFP

Surprisingly, Sassuolo immediately hit back — and threatened to turn this into a contest.

Teenage full-back Claud Adjapong ran past Stephan Liechtsteiner, who slipped — and the Sassuolo man was able to poke the ball past the on-rushing Gianluigi Buffon for Matteo Politano to slot home.

The goal knocked Juventus back a little, but when they were awarded a free-kick on the right hand side of the box, all eyes turned to an in-form left-footed genius.

And Dybala did not disappoint — he stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the back of net.

 Sassuolo temporarily pull a goal back just after half time
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Sassuolo temporarily pull a goal back just after half timeCredit: Reuters
 Paulo Dybala was the hero for Juventus with second hat-trick of season so far
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Paulo Dybala was the hero for Juventus with second hat-trick of season so farCredit: AFP

The goal made him the first player in Europe's top five leagues since Wayne Rooney in the 2011-12 season to score eight goals in his first four matches.

Moments later, he was brought down in the box, but referee waved away his opportunity to make it four.

Cuadrado could have scored late on, but fired over after good work fro Douglas Costa.

The question marks over Juventus' backline won't go away — but in attack they boast one of the best around.



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