Juventus 3-0 Spezia: 5 talking points as Bianconeri return to winning ways | Serie A 2020-21 

#3 Andrea Pirlo shows tactical prowess with inspired changes

Pirlo's substitutions changed the game for Juventus

Andrea Pirlo has received a lot of flak throughout his Juventus managerial tenure for his seeming lack of tactical dexterity.

The World Cup winner is still very much cutting his teeth in the dugout and can be excused for not having had a firm grasp of things.

However, the demands at a club of Juventus' stature mean that there is very little margin for error, and Pirlo is under severe pressure less than seven months into his tenure.

Against Spezia, Juventus huffed and puffed in vain for an hour before their manager decided to switch things up.

Kulusevski was ineffective and was substituted for Alvaro Morata, while Federico Bernardeschi came on for Fabrotta.

More crucially, Pirlo switched to a 3-5-2 system that saw traditional wingers Chiesa and Bernardeschi play as wing-backs. It had an instant impact on the game, with Bernardeschi assisting fellow substitute Morata with practically their first touches in the game.

𝗧𝗘𝗞-𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘 🧤🚫#JuveSpezia #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/kzumNOJThX

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 2, 2021

It also saw Juventus effectively use the width of the pitch to put Spezia on the backfoot.

With crucial games against more experienced tacticians coming up, Pirlo will have to depend on his ability to read matches if he wants to come out on top. He showed a glimpse of this tactical nous with his substitutions against Spezia.

#2 Spezia fail to offer anything against Juventus

Galabinov missed a late penalty

On paper, Spezia seemingly had no chance against the defending champions.

However, the hosts' struggles in recent weeks suggested that they were there for the taking.

Although Spezia did not offer much in an attacking sense, their defending was top-notch in the first hour of the game.

Rather surprisingly, Vicenzo Italiano's men had more possession (53%), but registered just one shot on target across the 90 minutes.

They also fluffed their lines when awarded a late penalty, which surmised their non-existent attacking threat on the night.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo creates another record

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 20th league goal of the season for Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo came into the game one goal ahead of Romelu Lukaku, who has 18 Serie A strikes to his name.

The Belgium international has been rampant this season, with his form acting as the driving force behind Inter Milan's title charge.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been no mean slouch either, scoring five goals in his last five league games.

Having endured a rather frustrating game, it looked like the Portuguese ace was going to draw a blank.

🔥 @Cristiano becomes the first player to score 20+ goals in the last 12 seasons in the top-five European Leagues ⚽️😀 #JuveSpezia #CR7JUVE #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/Gu9t2aK8YR

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 2, 2021

But he had other ideas and put Spezia to the sword with a well-taken strike. He now has 20 league goals from just 21 games.

It also saw him become the first man to score 20 or more goals in the last 12 seasons in Europe's top five leagues, highlighting what an extraordinary athlete he is.