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Mario Mandzukic scored Juventus' only goal on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Valencia in the Champions League playoffs thanks to a 1-0 victory over Valencia in the Group H duel.
Cristiano Ronaldo provided the assistance that allowed the Croatian to set up just before the hour in Turin.
The victory of the champions of Italy, who needed only one point to secure their qualification, combined with Manchester United's 1-0 victory against the Young Boys at Old Trafford, allowed Valencia to withdraw from the competition.
The players of Massimiliano Allegri will now have to know if they are leading the group when they play their last group match in mid-December in Bern against the Young Boys.
Juventus have 12 points in five games against Manchester United out of ten.
"We grew up compared to last year," said Allegri, whose team was eliminated in the quarterfinals last year by Real Madrid.
"We became faster playing ball, so of course there is Cristiano Ronaldo … but we made mistakes and we did not score a second goal, we have to improve.
"Ronaldo gives us a sense of security and confidence, but the team is essentially the same as last season."
Ronaldo beat all cylinders after his controversial red card in his first Champions League match for Juventus in Valencia in September, where the Allegri team still won 2-0.
The five-time winner of the Golden Ball was on top form at the Allianz Stadium, with scoring chances in the first three minutes, including a powerful direct hit to Valencia's neto keeper Valencia.
Juventus controlled the match with Rodrigo Bentancur and midfielder Blaise Matuidi, while Dybala was assisted by Ronaldo and Mandzukic.
Miralem Pjanic and Giorgio Chiellini exchanged penalties, Ronaldo again crushed the post after 25 minutes.
Joao Cancelo had a nifty turnaround on Leonardo Bonucci. His curling effort flew over the post, frustrated by Ronaldo, who had been placed for the pass.
However, the hosts could thank goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for his lead to 0-0 when his one-handed stop stopped Mouctar Diakhaby's head.
Juventus put the pressure on after the break and Neto denied Ronaldo's free kick.
But Mandzukic broke the ball in the 59th minute. Ronaldo shook Gabriel with a whimsical footwork and fired a low shot to score the goal that had found the Croatian striker, who was just finishing.
Valencia thought they had scored two minutes later but Diakhaby's head was wide open and the defender sanctioned for handball.
The Spaniards could thank Neto for limiting the damage, clearing a Dybala curling shot and a late Ronaldo header.
"We should have been more specific for the second goal," said Allegri.
"Valencia proved that they were in good shape, that they had the best defense in La Liga and that it was not easy to score against them."
© 2018 AFP
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