ROME: Argentina striker Paulo Dybala produced a glorious strike and prompted an own goal as resurgent champions Juventus outclassed Lazio 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday to extend their winning run in Serie A to five matches.

After a tricky start to the season, the four-time defending champions have improved dramatically, and provisionally moved level on 27 points with fourth-placed AS Roma after a comfortable victory over lacklustre Lazio.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side are now just four points behind leaders Napoli, having played a game more, and are firmly in the title race following a fine run.

“We are still fourth or fifth despite this excellent run of form and, considering the stature of Juventus, it’s not enough,” Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon told Mediaset Premium.

Dybala had forced Lazio defender Santiago Gentiletti into an early own goal before coming up with a moment of magic shortly after the half hour.

The Argentine flicked up Mario Mandzukic’s pass, juggled the ball on his knee and slammed a 20-metre volley into the far corner of Federico Marchetti’s goal.

Dybala has played a part in 10 of Juve’s goals this season — scoring seven and assisting a further three.

Four days before meeting Sevilla away in the Champions League looking to finish ahead of Manchester City in Group ‘D’, Juve’s midfield was missing injured Sami Khedira as well as Paul Pogba, who was suspended.

Their absences and Juve’s commitments in Europe meant Allegri was a happy man.

“It was important to come away with the win because we have another important game in midweek, when we will try to finish top of the group,” the Juve coach told Sky Sport.

“It wasn’t easy because we’re in the middle of a busy period that’s taking a mental as well as physical toll. But we were solid throughout. In the first half we tried pressing them high while in the second we controlled things a little bit more.”

Lazio heads dropped after Dybala added the second goal and chances were few and far between after the break, as Juve kept the ball from their opponents effectively and the hosts grew increasingly ill-tempered.

Lazio have now lost five of their last six games and remain in 10th place on 19 points.

“The psychological aspect is the most important of the things we have to work on,” Lazio coach Stefano Pioli said. “The players who have in their heart their own professionalism and the shirt they wear know that we are below expectations.

“We have to work to turn things around, because we have the means to do so. Naturally this has to be done quickly, because results need to start arriving.”

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2015