AP, Milan :
Cristiano Ronaldo might be finding it harder than expected to score in Serie A, but Mario Mandzukic has stepped up his game.
The towering Croatia international weighed in with another two goals on Saturday to help Juventus to a 3-1 victory over Napoli as the Bianconeri maintained their perfect start to the season.
Both goals were set up by Ronaldo, who took his number of assists to five in seven matches.
Mandzukic has four goals in six appearances – he scored only five in 32 league games last season – and is working well with Ronaldo in a three-pronged attack, with Paulo Dybala dropping back.
While Mandzukic struggled to find the back of the net in Serie A last season, he did net four goals in six Champions League appearances.
Juventus will be looking to him for goals in that same competition on Tuesday when it hosts Young Boys, with Ronaldo suspended following his red card against Valencia.
“There will be no Cristiano and we know how important he is for us, but this is a team sport. There are 11 of us out there,” Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur said.
Juventus CEO and director general Giuseppe Marotta surprised many when he announced on live TV on Saturday that he will not be nominated for another term as CEO at the club’s Oct. 25 board meeting.
Marotta’s market moves have been an important part of Juve’s run of seven straight Serie A titles.
