It's all Sassuolo at the moment as they continue to pile bodies forward, but they just can't seem to find a way past the sea of white and black shirts camped in front of them. Juventus have defended extremely well tonight and it doesn't look as if they're going to be beaten, no matter how hard their opponents try to find a late equaliser.
90' +3
Acerbi is now playing as a centre forward for Sassuolo as they desperately try to find a goal that would surely result in them picking up a huge point. However, Juventus are doing well to put pressure on the visitors, which is denying them the opportunity to fire balls into the penalty area. The hosts have every available player camped inside their own half of the pitch as they try their hardest to hold on to their 10th consecutive Serie A clean sheet.
90' +2
Morata charges down the left wing before being clumsily fouled by Acerbi, resulting in a free-kick for Juventus. Unsurprisingly, the hosts take their time with the set-piece before sending it short to Sandro, but the Brazilian completely mistimes his attempted trapping of the ball and it ends up bouncing over his boot and out for a throw-in, gifting possession back to the visitors.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
S. Lichtsteiner enters the game and replaces M. Mandžukić.
C. Adjapong enters the game and replaces M. Politano.
Meanwhile, Politano is replaced by Adjapong, who comes on to make his first team debut for Sassuolo.
Juventus are now fully shutting up shop, and Mandzukic slowly makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Lichtsteiner for the final few moments.
87'
Another great save by Buffon! Sansone breaks through the middle of the pitch, where there are absolutely no Juventus players around him, and sprints towards the edge of the penalty area. Upon reaching the box, he unleashes another impressive strike that looks set to find the back of the net, but once again the veteran goalkeeper is there to stop it from doing so with a strong diving save to his right.
85'
Fantastic run by Morata! The Spaniard receives the ball for the first time since coming on to the pitch, and he immediately skips Antei on the left-hand side of the penalty area. He then heads along the byline before trying to beat Consigli at the near post, but the Sassuolo goalkeeper is easily able to tip the shot out for a corner with a strong one-handed save.
84'
Sassuolo quickly push forward again, but sloppy passing just outside of the Juventus penalty area results in them losing the ball before they can carve out a chance on goal. The hosts quickly break away on a counter-attack before Pogba tests Consigli with a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out, but it's sent straight into the hands of the goalkeeper in the middle of the goalmouth.
82'
Vrsaljko breaks down the right wing before being clattered into by a strong sliding challenge from Mandzukic, and, despite the Croatian striker's protestations, the referee awards Sassuolo a free-kick in an advantageous position. The right-back steps up and curls one of the best crosses over the game into the six-yard box, but it bounces just past the outstretched boot of Acerbi before being cut out by Buffon. That was a real scare for Juventus!
80'
Álvaro Morata enters the game and replaces P. Dybala.
Dybala receives a standing ovation from the home fans as he's replaced by Morata for the final 10 minutes of the game.
Minute
Description
79'
Sassuolo keep putting pressure on Juventus and win themselves a corner on the left wing after determined play by Sansone, who is continuing to impress whenever he's able to get on the ball. The set-piece is curled towards the edge of the six-yard box, where it ends up bouncing around the penalty area before Bonucci is finally able to thump the ball away from danger before a blue shirt can get a shot away from close range.
78'
Sassuolo have made their second change of the night, with Trotta coming on to replace Falcinelli in an attacking substitution.
77'
M. Trotta enters the game and replaces D. Falcinelli.
Pogba goes close! Juventus come back once again, and a wonderful lofted pass is flung into the middle of the box, where it finds Mandzukic. The Croatian does well to nod the ball down to Cuadrado, who then quickly tees up the French midfielder, but he's quickly put under pressure by Magnanelli and ends up sending his side-footed shot just a yard or two wide of the far post.
76'
Juventus have spent the last five minutes firmly on the back foot due to good play by Sassuolo, but they're finally able to push forward on another good attack. Dybala sprints forward on an excellent run before spinning and teeing up Asamoah on the edge of the penalty area, but the Ghanaian ends up slipping just as he fires a low shot and, as a result, it's easily dealt with by Consigli in the middle of the goal.
75'
Chance for Sansone! The forward isn't closed down quick enough by the group of Juventus players around him, allowing him to cut inside from the left wing before heading towards the hosts' box. 30 yards away from goal, he ends up unleashing a curling shot over to the top right-hand corner of the net, but Buffon does wonderfully well to push the strike away from danger with an acrobatic diving stop.
74'
Politano twists and turns on the right flank before cutting inside and finding himself in a pocket of space 30 yards away from the Juventus goal. He then chips a lovely lofted pass into a dangerous position inside the penalty area, but just as it's about to meet Sansone it's cut out by a vital header from Bonucci, who sends the ball sailing into the safe hands of Buffon.
72'
P. Pogba enters the game and replaces S. Khedira.
Pogba comes on to take the place of Khedira, who receives a rousing round of applause from the Juventus fans as he makes his way off the pitch after putting in a good shift in the middle of the pitch.
71'
Juventus almost make it 2-0! Dybala skips into the left-hand side of the Sassuolo penalty area and heads towards the byline before cutting a lovely pass back towards Khedira. It meets the German but he's unable to get the ball out of his feet, resulting in him being dispossessed by Magnanelli before he can shoot. The centre-back can only poke his attempted clearance into the path of Cuadrado, however, and the Colombian's low shot deflects off the foot of Peluso before it can test Consigli.
69'
L. Pellegrini enters the game and replaces D. Biondini.
Biondini makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Pellegrini in Sassuolo's first substitution of the evening.
68'
Duncan charges into Cuadrado and brings the Colombian crashing to the ground, and Juventus are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position deep down the right flank. Dybala steps up and launches a great cross towards Sandro in the middle of the box, but the Brazilian is beaten to the ball by Consigli, who punches it out for a throw-in on the left wing.
67'
Sansone twists and turns on the left-hand side of the Juventus penalty area before chipping a well-placed cross over towards the far post. It flies over towards the outstretched foot of Politano, who is in a great position in front of goal, but Sandro is just about to cut out the danger with a vital interception before Buffon fully deals with the danger.
66'
Mandzukic, who has had quite a quiet second half thus far, drifts out to the left and picks up the ball in space before curling a dangerous cross into the box, where it's headed out for a corner by Acerbi. The resulting set-piece is taken short and sent over to Marchisio, who then tries to muscle his way into the penalty area, but he's unable to do so and is dispossessed by Magnanelli at the vital moment.
64'
Sassuolo are able to win back the ball near the halfway line, and they quickly try to push forward on a determined attack. They're quickly closed down by Juventus, who have pressed high up the pitch all evening, which forces Politano to launch a lofted pass over to the far post, but it completely misses Falcinelli before sailing out of play for a goal-kick.
62'
Juventus are continuing to boss possession inside the Sassuolo half of the pitch, but the visitors are starting to look stronger and more assured defensively as the game wears on. The pace of the hosts' attacks has slowed down somewhat, and for the time being they don't seem to be in a huge rush to throw bodies forward. This is all seems to be part of Allegri's master plan, which so far is working extremely well.
60'
Vital header away by Magnanelli! Sandro finds himself in acres of space down the left wing and uses it to his advantage by swinging a lovely cross into the middle of the Sassuolo box. It looks set to find Khedira, who had made a great run into the penalty area, but just as it's about to do so the Italian defensive midfielder dives in the way to deal with the danger.
58'
It's all Juventus at the moment as they comfortably pass the ball around inside the Sassuolo half of the pitch. The visitors started the second half with a sense of urgency and intensity but over the past few minutes that has faded away, which is making life easy for the hosts.
56'
Sansone embarks on a great run into the left-hand side of the Juventus penalty area, but he's eventually closed down and is unable to get a shot away. He is able to knock a pass over to Falcinelli, however, but the striker's first-time shot is blocked well by Rugani and ends up deflecting out for a throw-in on the right flank.
55'
Š. Vrsaljko gets yellow.
54'
Juventus work the ball around quickly near the halfway line before Sandro picks it up on the left wing. He swiftly cuts inside before trying to beat Vrsaljko, but the Croatian cynically trips the Brazilian to the ground and receives a yellow card as a result.
52'
Almost lovely play by Juventus! Cuadrado, who has been excellent thus far, breaks down the right flank before cutting the ball back to Marchisio. The defensive midfielder quickly sends it back towards the Colombian in the form of a chipped pass over the top of the Sassuolo defence, but the winger's first touch is slightly too heavy and he's unable to get a cross away before the ball bounces out for a goal-kick.
50'
Ouch! Cuadrado picks up the ball deep down the right wing and immediately curls a beautiful cross towards the penalty spot, where Antei and Sandro both go up for the ball but end up nastily clashing heads. It initially looks as the Sassuolo defender is in serious pain, but after a few moments on the floor both he and the Brazilian are able to get back to their feet.
48'
Sandro is clumsily clipped from behind by Biondini, resulting in a free-kick for Juventus in a dangerous position 35 yards away from the Sassuolo goal. Dybala curls a dangerous cross into the penalty area, where it bounces into the path of the Brazilian wing-back, but he's unable to whip his first-time volley through the clump of blue shirts camped in front of him. There are half-hearted appeals for a handball against Antei, but the referee quickly waves them away.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +1
Vital interception by Antei! Cuadrado breaks down the right wing and beats Peluso with ease before swinging an excellent bouncing cross into the middle of the penalty area. It looks set to find Mandzukic, who is in a great position inside the box, but just as he's about to make contact with the ball it's thumped away by the Sassuolo number 5, who has had a tough first half but did wonderfully well there.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
The pace of the game has slowed down somewhat over the past few minutes, but Juventus remain in control of proceedings. With only a few moments left to play in the first half, the hosts seem content to hold on to the ball and keep it away from Sassuolo in an attempt to keep their one-goal lead intact.
42'
Not a bad effort by Falcinelli! The striker, who has seen very little of the ball thus far, picks up possession just outside of the Juventus penalty area after a free-kick on the halfway line is taken quickly and sent short. He muscles his way past two players before trying to beat Buffon from 20 yards out, but there's slightly too much power behind his effort and it ends up looping several yards over the top of the crossbar.
41'
N. Sansone gets yellow.
40'
Cuadrado picks up the ball on the right flank and quickly tries to beat Sansone, but the forward ends up cynically sticking out an arm to stop him from doing so and, as a result, becomes the latest player to receive a yellow card.
38'
Almost straight from the restart, Sassuolo end up losing possession and are quickly put on the back foot by Juventus. The hosts look hungry to add to Dybala's goal whilst the visitors look shocked by the Argentine's strike. They need to regroup and settle themselves because their opponents look extremely dangerous every time they push forward.
36'
P. Dybala has scored a goal for Juventus! Assist by J. Cuadrado.
Assist Juan Guillermo Cuadrado Bello
GOAL! What a stunning strike by Dybala! Cuadrado flies down the right wing and beats Acerbi with ease before the Sassuolo centre-back slips to the ground, allowing the Colombian to penetrate the penalty area before cutting the ball back to the Argentine forward. He takes a quick touch before unleashing a 20-yard shot, and it's an absolutely fantastic one that curls past the outstretched arms of Consigli before finding the top left-hand corner of the net. Simply sublime!
35'
There's a lengthy break in play as Marchisio receives medical treatment midway inside the Juventus half of the pitch, but it looks to just be an impact injury and he's eventually able to rejoin the action, even if he is moving slightly gingerly as he tries to run it off.
33'
Sansone has arguably been Sassuolo's best player thus far, and he's doing well to keep things ticking over inside the Juventus half of the pitch, despite his side's struggles in front of goal. This time, he picks up the ball on the left wing and weaves his way through a group of white and black shirts before sprinting towards the penalty area, but just as he's about to reach the box he's dispossessed by Marchisio, who takes a nasty whack to the knee as a result.
31'
A loose ball bounces into the feet of Dybala, who then fires a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out that deflects over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner. It's taken quickly and worked over to the Argentine on the right wing, but his curling cross into the box is slightly overhit and ends up sailing comfortably into the hands of Consigli.
29'
Juventus patiently pass the ball around near to the halfway line as they try, and fail, to find a way through the sea of blue shirts in front of them. With his way forward blocked, Bonucci eventually decides to launch a lofted pass towards the edge of the Sassuolo penalty area, but it completely misses Mandzukic and is easily dealt with by Antei, much to the annoyance of the Croatian striker.
27'
What a chance for Khedira! Mandzukic drifts out to the right and picks up the ball in space before whipping a low cross into the feet of Dybala. The Argentine controls it beautifully and skips past Magnanelli before cutting a pass back to the edge of the six-yard box, where it finds the German, but he's put under great pressure by Acerbi and ends up firing his first-time volley over the top of the crossbar from close range. He really should have done better with that golden opportunity!
25'
Mandzukic muscles his way past Acerbi before teeing up Cuadrado, but the Colombian is quickly closed down by a sea of blue shirts and ends up scuffing his cross-field pass away from Sandro and on to the head of Vrsaljko, who does well to beat the Brazilian in the air over to the right wing.
23'
A. Duncan gets yellow.
Juventus move the ball around well inside the Sassuolo half of the pitch before Sandro tries to find Cuadrado on the right wing, but Duncan ends up cynically sticking out a hand to stop the pass from reaching the Colombian and he ends up receiving the first yellow card of the game as a result.
21'
It's been a tough opening 21 minutes for Sassuolo, who have tried their best to push forward with purpose but are continually struggling against Juventus' compact and well-organised back line, who aren't allowing them to find much joy in front of goal. As a result, the visitors' front line have seen little of the ball thus far, despite their best efforts.
19'
Almost a great goal by Duncan! Magnanelli picks up the ball midway inside the Juventus half of the pitch and immediately whips a beautiful lofted pass over the top of the hosts' defence and into the path of Politano on the right-hand side of the penalty area. The forward then cuts the ball back to the Ghanaian, who is waiting unmarked on the edge of the box, but he ends up scuffing a rocket of a shot that bounces a yard or two wide of the far post.
17'
Great chance for Sandro! Dybala steps up and chips a beautiful cross over to the far post, where it finds the Brazilian wing-back completely unmarked. He rises high and meets the ball well before sending a bullet header towards the near post, but Consigli is there to tip it past the goal and out for a corner.
16'
Sassuolo lose the ball inside the Juventus half of the pitch and, once again, the hosts break away on a quick counter-attack. This time it's Asamoah who charges forward and heads towards the visitors' box, but he's clumsily tripped over by Duncan and wins his side a free-kick in a dangerous position as a result.
14'
The Sassuolo midfield fail to close down Khedira quick enough, allowing the German to break forward on a marauding run. He heads towards the penalty area before eventually being dispossessed by Acerbi, but the defender's attempted clearance is poor and can only find Cuadrado. The Colombian quickly sends the ball over to Marchisio, who then tries to chip a cross over to Mandzukic at the far post, but the Croatian is in an offside position and has to watch the ball sail harmlessly out of play for a goal-kick.
12'
Sloppy play by Juventus gifts Sassuolo with the perfect opportunity to break forward on a quick counter-attack through Sansone. The forward twists and turns just outside of the hosts' penalty area as he tries to find a way through the sea of white and black shirts camped in front of him, but he's unable to do so and is eventually dispossessed by a good tackle from Marchisio.
10'
A poor attempted clearance by Antei sends the ball straight into the feet of Mandzukic, who, on the left wing, quickly spins and finds Sandro. The Brazilian then cuts a pass over to Dybala, who is in a great position just in front of the Sassuolo defence, but the Argentine's first touch is poor and sends the ball bouncing away from his feet.
8'
Nervy moments for the Sassuolo defence! Juventus push down the left wing and earn themselves a corner, which is curled into a dangerous position inside the penalty area. It frantically pinballs around, with no blue shirts able to fully clear the danger, before bouncing over to Bonucci, but the defender ends up handling the ball and the referee awards a free-kick to the visitors just as he's about to cut a pass across the face of goal.
6'
Chance for Politano! Sansone breaks into the left-hand side of the penalty area and takes the Juventus back line completely by surprise before receiving the ball near to the byline. He immediately cuts a bouncing pass past Sandro and into the path of the Sassuolo number 16, but he ends up thumping his first-time volley just a yard or two over the top of the goal.
4'
And now Mandzukic has an early chance on goal after good play by Dybala in the middle of the pitch, but the Croatian striker ends up scuffing his long-range strike comfortably wide of the far post and, as a result, it's not quite as spectacular as the Argentine youngster's shot a few moments ago.
2'
What an excellent strike by Dybala! Juventus quickly win the ball on the right wing before Cuadrado flies forward on a determined run. He then sends the ball into the feet of Mandzukic, who then flicks it back to the Argentine, and the youngster immediately unleashes a brilliant 25-yard volley that Consigli is just about able to tip over the top of the crossbar. What a goal that would have been!
1'
And we're off! Sassuolo get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Serie A game between Juventus and Sassuolo at Juventus Stadium.
Juventus’ poor start to the season has been firmly forgotten, and they are now flying high at the top of the Serie A table, three points clear of Napoli and on course for a fifth consecutive league title if they are able to keep up this wonderful run that they find themselves on. The Old Lady smashed their previous unbeaten record of 15 games and are now without a defeat in their last 18 thanks to last weekend’s comfortable 2-0 win away to Atalanta, which was made possible by rare goals from Andrea Barzagli and Mario Lemina. As a result, 17 of their last 18 domestic clashes have ended in victories, but they will be well aware that the last team to beat them in the league were their opponents tonight. However, in recent weeks Massimiliano Allegri’s men have looked excellent at the back, resulting in them not conceding a goal in their last nine league games. As a result, veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is now just 68 minutes away from breaking the club record for the longest unbeaten run in goal, one that has stood untouched since the 1972-73 campaign.
A 20th-minute goal scored by Nicola Sansone was enough to guide Sassuolo to a win against Juventus back at the end of October, and they will be aiming to repeat that feat here tonight as they look to extend their winning run to four games. If they are able to do so it will represent their joint-best record for a Serie A season and will keep them firmly in the race for an historic Europa League qualification spot. The Neroverdi are becoming adept at ending other teams’ unbeaten runs, and last Sunday they handed a shock defeat to Milan in a 2-0 victory at the Mapei Stadium. As a result, it leaves them just three points behind the Rossoneri and full of confidence about bringing to an end The Old Lady’s excellent run of form.
Sassuolo’s relatively recent promotion to the top flight of Italian football means that they have met Juventus on only five previous occasions, and since their first Serie A campaign each have been tight affairs. Both teams have a win each from the last two meetings, and both were decided by just one goal. The Neroverdi almost came away with a well-earned point in the corresponding fixture last season but had their hearts broken late on by Paul Pogba, who has played an important role in recent years with his two goals in three appearances against the club from Modena.
Massimiliano Allegri has decided to make four changes to the Juventus side that started last weekend’s win away to Atalanta, with Daniele Rugani, Juan Cuadrado, Kwadwo Asamoah and Alex Sandro coming into the starting line-up to replace Stephan Lichtsteiner, Patrice Evra, Paul Pogba and Roberto Pereyra, respectively.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo boss Eusebio Di Francesco has also made four alterations to the side that featured in the victory against Milan, with Paolo Cannavaro, Simone Missiroli, Domenico Berardi and Gregoire Defrel making way for Luca Antei, Davide Biondini, Matteo Politano and Diego Falcinelli.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: JUVENTUS 1-0 SASSUOLO
It's all gone to plan for Juventus thus far, and they are firmly on course for their 11th consecutive league victory at home, one that would keep them at the top of the Serie A table for another week. Once again, a determined and strong defensive performance has meant that Sassuolo have found little joy in front of goal, whilst at the other end of the pitch Cuadrado and Dybala have constantly frustrated the visitors' back line. The Argentine has been particularly impressive, and his excellent goal - one of the best he's scored all season - is what separates the two sides as they head down the tunnel.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: JUVENTUS 1-0 SASSUOLO
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and the home fans immediately fill the stadium with cheers! Tonight's win was a hard-fought one, but it is nonetheless one that they fully deserve after putting in a strong performance at both ends of the pitch. The first half belonged to Juventus, as they constantly looked bright when pushing forward and made life very difficult for their opponents, but in the second they dropped off slightly and concentrated on protecting their slender lead. This allowed the visitors to spend more time on the ball, but they constantly struggled to turn possession into chances on goal, and in the end The Old Lady were comfortably able to hold on to pick up a fourth win in a row and a 10th consecutive league clean sheet, the first time that has ever been achieved in the Italian top flight.
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