This archive report was first published on 28 September 2019.
On September 28, 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo returned from an injury scare to score as Juventus eased past struggling SPAL 2-0, taking top spot in Serie A.
After being rested for the midweek win over Brescia as a precaution with a slight muscular problem, Ronaldo notched up his third consecutive goal at home this season after 78 minutes in Turin.
He added to Miralem Pjanic's opener just before the break, with Pjanic firing in from a distance for his second goal of the season after the winner at Brescia on Tuesday.
Juventus have 16 points from six games, one ahead of Inter -- the only team with maximum points -- before Antonio Conte's side play at Sampdoria later on Saturday.
"Inter? I haven't watched them play yet this season," said Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri, who was satisfied with his strike options in the run up to their second European game after a 2-2 draw to Atletico Madrid last time out.
"I have three strikers who satisfy me whatever choice I make," Sarri added, highlighting the importance of Dybala, Ronaldo, and Higuain.
For second from bottom SPAL the damage could have been worse but for some fine saves from Albanian goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, who stopped Paulo Dybala's curling goal-bound effort just after half an hour.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon meanwhile made his 903rd club football appearance, surpassing the Italian record of 902 achieved by AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini.
