Juventus 2-0 Pafos: Italians gain vital victory to improve Champions League qualifying chance

Juventus strengthened their chances of advancing in the Champions League as two second-half goals ended the resistance of Cypriot side Pafos.

The visitors had the best of the opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, with Juventus lucky not to concede when Andrea Cambiaso diverted the ball towards his own goal, only for goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio to make a vital save.

Pafos, in their first Champions League campaign after winning their domestic title for the first time, had to play six qualifying matches before they got to the league phase.

But bidding for a victory that would have been arguably their best ever result, they were frustrated when Anderson Silva’s low shot bounced off the right-hand post.

Juventus, who won the European Cup in 1985 and the Champions League in 1996, have been struggling domestically and are only seventh in Serie A, eight points behind leaders AC Milan and reigning champions Napoli.

However, boss Luciano Spalletti would have been happier with his side’s second-half performance.

Francisco Conceicao had an effort saved at the near post by Neofytos Michael, before Weston McKennie fired Juventus ahead in the 67th minute following an excellent reverse pass from Cambiaso.

A second goal followed six minutes later with Jonathan David on the end of a quick counter-attack to finish well after being set up by Kenan Yildiz.

Juventus are 17th in the standings on nine points with games at home to Benfica and away at Monaco to follow, while Pafos, in 26th place, need to get something from a trip to Chelsea on 21 January to have any hope of reaching the play-offs.