Paulo Dybala proved he is back with two late goals – scored with his weaker right foot – as Juventus struggled to beat Verona 3-1.

Juve started well and made the breakthrough within six minutes. Gonzalo Higuain’s strike cannoned off the upright and into the path of Blaise Matuidi who, despite shinning the shot, got it into the far bottom corner.That goal set a new all-time Serie A record, as for the 23rd away game in a row, Juventus found the back of the net. The previous record also belonged to Juve of 22 from 2013 to 2014.

Martin Caceres had a chance against his old club, but the finish was charged down by Giorgio Chiellini from 11 yards. Daniele Verde also curled dangerous effort inches past the far top corner. Nicolas performed a desperate reaction save on Higuain, who got on the end of Alex Sandro’s pull-back only to fire straight at the goalkeeper from point-blank range. The first half ended 1-0 to the visitors

Federico Bernardeschi replaced Rodrigo Bentancur for the second half in a return to the 4-2-3-1 formation. Hellas remained aggressive and Kean nutmegged Giorgio Chiellini, but the defender scrambled back to make up for it with a crucial block. Bernardeschi’s effort was smothered at the near post after a give-and-go with Higuain, but Verona got their equaliser with a former Juve player.

Hellas levelled up when Caceres pounced on a Benatia error and hit a right-foot scorcher from 20 metres out, as the fact he slipped while taking it perhaps gave the ball an extra spin to go past Wojciech Szczesny.

Chiellini nodded just wide from the corner, but Stephan Lichtsteiner bravely dived into the challenge with Caceres at the by-line to pull back and Dybala slid the finish in with his weaker right foot from 10 yards. Lichtsteiner was injured in that move and came off for Andrea Barzagli.

The Argentinian playmaker was well and truly back, as he completed his brace soon after. This was more of a trademark Dybala goal, as he gathered in midfield, surged forward dribbling between four players and smashed the precise angled drive into the far bottom corner, again with his right foot to anticipate the goalkeeper from 12 yards.

It was nearly a hat-trick, his free-kick dipping viciously for Nicolas to acrobatically palm out from under the bar. The victory sees Juventus just one point behind rivals Napoli at the top of the table.