Juventus took on Torino this afternoon looking for a fifth win in six Serie A matches and an extension of their dominance in the Derby della Mole.
The Old Lady made wholesale changes and left Andrea Pirlo out of their starting XI, with both sides struggling to create in a tight first half.
In the end a scrappy local derby was decided by one corner kick, with Paul Pogba breaking the deadlock after Carlos Tevez hit the post from the close range.
Look back on a gritty performance from Antonio Conte's men with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good morning Calcio fans. Sports Mole's coverage of a packed Serie A Sunday starts early this week with coverage of the Turin derby, as Torino take on Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico.
Juve may be unbeaten in Serie A after five matches, but Antonio Conte's side have only sparkled in one of those games, a home thrashing of Lazio. The Bianconeri have struggled in recent matches but like true champions found a way to win, coming from behind to beat both Hellas Verona and Chievo.
Conte has rotated consistently in recent matches, which is no surprise given Juve have had a fixture every three days for muc of September. That need for constant change has seen Juve just slip behind early pace-setters Roma and Napoli, with a win today imperative to reclaim lost ground.
For the first time in recent history Torino are talking up their chances of pulling off a famous victory over Juventus, after starting the season positively. Giampiero Ventura has switched formations and pushed Alessio Cerci further forward, with the Italy international responding by scoring five goals in as many matches.
Torino gave a tremendous account of themselves against Milan earlier this season and without question deserved to beat the Rosonerri, attacking consistently with pace and purpose. Defensive frailties undermined that work though, in an incredible match which saw Milan score twice in the last few minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on the lineups from Turin and there is quite a surprise for Juve. Forgotten man Sebastian Giovinco is recalled and makes the starting XI for the first time this season. A full look at both sides will follow in just a few moments.
JUVE: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pogba, Marchisio, Asamoah, Tevez, Giovinco
TORINO: Padelli; Rodriguez, Glik, Moretti; Darmian, Brighi, Vives, El Kaddouri, D’Ambrosio; Cerci, Immobile
Once again Conte tinkers and makes five changes in all, with Andrea Pirlo dropping out for the first time this season. Arturo Vidal returns in his place to form a midfield trio with Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio.
Giovinco's return is also something of a shock, particularly given Fabio Quagliarella's return to goalscoring form in midweek. The 'Atomic Ant' starts next to Carlos Tevez in attack for the Old Lady, with Fernando Llorente also dropping to the bench.
Conte has also brought both of his first-choice wing backs into the starting XI, with Kwadwo Asamoah and Sebastian Lichtsteiner coming in for Mauricio Isla and Federico Peluso. Despite having a Champions League engagement in midweek the Derby della Mole remains vital to Conte, who is clearly desperate to claim all three points judging from his team selection.
Torino boss Ventura meanwhile has stuck with an adventurous formation, with Alessio Cerci pushed forward to partner Ciro Immobile in attack. Danilo D'Ambrosio will provide support in an advanced position on the right, with the hosts attempting to play with width and pace on the counter.
PREDICTION! Just to give you an idea of just how dominant Juve have been in the derby in recent times, Torino have not scored in this fixture since 2002 and are without a win since 1995. I think Torino are capable of providing a stern test this afternoon but will ultimately come up short, with Giovinco marking his return to the side by scoring in a 2-1 win.
Both teams are out at the Olimpico and ready to get this Turin derby underway. This is a huge opportunity for Torino, can they rise to the occasion? We are about to find out!
Torino get the kickoff underway and almost immediately Chiellini gets a challenge on Cerci, warning the forward that he will be a strong barrier today. The defender then has a strike at goal, which deflects well wide for a corner kick.
The hosts are rather fortunate not to concede an early free kick as Vives leaves his studs on Vidal in a challenge just outside the area. It's been a confident start from Juve and you would expect no less from the defending champions given the experience in their ranks.
Torino's front two of Cerci and Immobile look isolated early on, but Juve are unable to take advantage as Barzagli comes out of defence, misplacing a long pass to Giovinco. The diminutive forward is quickly involved again as he drifts out wide, running at Moretti to win a corner kick.
Juve win a free kick around 25 yards from goal as Rodriguez is rather harshly penalised for a high foot on Tevez, despite clearly making contact with the ball. Vidal knocks the set piece wide to Giovinco, who wins a corner kick as his cross is blocked behind.
Rodriguez concedes his second free kick and is already walking the tightrope of being booked. Once again Juve's delivery from the set piece is a poor one though, as Tevez misses the penalty area with a short cross.
Tevez forced Padelli to make his first save of the afternoon, a comfortable catch at his near post to collect a low drive. Then at the other end Torino get their first opening of the match as D'Ambrosio meets a high cross at the back post, but can only smash over.
Pogba gets clear space 30 yards from goal and unsurprisingly decides to let fly. His strike is a tame one though, staying low and central to the relief of a grateful Padelli.
Cerci stretches Chiellini and wins a corner kick for his efforts out wide. Torino's chances of testing from the corner are quickly lost though, with a sea of humanity pushing and pulling in the penalty area. The referee waits and eventually awards a free kick against the hosts for pushing.
YELLOW CARD! Marchisio picks up the first caution and he can have little complaint, cynically tripping Immobile just as Torino had men over on the break. The experienced midfielder knew exactly what he was doing there, getting a booking for his troubles.
Conte is furious on the touchline as Giovinco has a free-kick appeal turned down at one end, with Cerci winning a similar decision just outside the area at the other end. Juve clear the free kick rather easily but that does not appease Conte, who is up and remonstrating with the fourth official.
YELLOW CARD! Pogba follows Marchisio into the book after barging over El Kaddouri just outside the area. That foul gives Cerci a chance to strike, with his curling effort drifting a few yards wide of Buffon's near post.
Back come Juve after a sloppy spell, with Tevez dropping deep to collect and switch to Asamoah. He takes on Darmian and reaches the byline to cross, but his teasing ball into the near post is well held by Padelli.
Cerci briefly switches flanks and makes a run to the near post, with his efforts shut down by Bonucci, but only just. Giovinco is then penalised for bringing down Moretti, showing signs of frustration after struggling to have an impact early on.
Tevez is slipped through in space for the first time by Vidal and has time to look up and survey his options. Giovinco is the only player in support and gets crowded out as he attempts to meet a cross in the penalty area, with Lichtsteiner firing over on the follow-up.
Glik strides into the opposition half and tries a speculative strike from at least 35 yards out, with his effort swerving well wide of the target. It would take something quite miraculous to beat Buffon from that range.
YELLOW CARD! A very poor challenge from Immobile on Tevez makes him the first Torino player to be cautioned. The forward is slightly fortunate not to have escaped further punishment for a cynical late lunge, raking his studs down Tevez's calf. Conte is furious!
Tevez limps back on and makes a good run out wide, but is shut down by Moretti. That has been the story of the first half, with neither side able to find space in the final third.
Giovinco is now down injured after a strong challenge from Rodirguez, which saw the defender come from behind to win possession. That looked a clumsy challenge but the referee allows play to continue, with Lichtsteiner slicing well wide before the ball is put out of play.
Tevez wins a corner kick off Rodriguez, which Giovinco comes across to take. His cross is promising but hooked away by Vives at the second time of asking, as we head towards two additional minutes.
Asamoah darts inside and picks out Marchisio, who cuts across his low drive and strikes well beyond the near post. Juve then come forward again through Asamoah, who sees a low cross controlled and cleared by Vives.
HALF TIME Torino 0-0 Juventus
A tight and frustrating first half ends goalless, with Torino managing to nullify Juve throughout. Conte's side will need to do far better when play resumes if they want all three points.
Torino have enjoyed their fair share of possession in the first half and probably created the best chance early on, which D'Ambrosio put wide. Cerci also looks a constant threat but needs support in the final third, a risk Ventura's side are not prepared to take early on.
Juve have been frustrated by a deep Torino defence, with Vives also providing an effective shield in central midfield. There's also been a number of fierce tackles in the first half, with Immobile perhaps lucky to still be on the pitch after hacking over Tevez with a late lunge.
BENCH WATCH! If Juve remain frustrated after the break expect Conte to act quickly by making changes. The Old Lady have an embarrassment of riches on their bench, with Quagliarella, Llorente and Vucinic all waiting in reserve. Pirlo could also provide a creative spark in midfield, while Torino are most likely to call upon Riccardo Meggionrini.
Both sides are back out and ready to resume hostilities. Can either side find the creative spark to settle what has been a scrappy affair. A single mistake or moment of inspiration could well decide this tight encounter.
SUBSTITUTION: Just before play resumes there is a change to report for Torino. Masiello has replaced Rodriguez in defence, which is surely a change down to injury rather than tactical.
Juve are quick to get a shot on goal in a frenetic start to the second half, as Tevez seizes on a loose pass to smash over the crossbar from 20 yards. Quick movement from Giovinco then gives Pogba a target in the final third, but his diagonal pass in off-target.
SAVE! By far the best chance of the match falls to Giovinco, after a wonderful deft flick from Tevez into his path. The forward hits it low but without any great conviction, allowing Padelli to parry with a strong stop.
GOAL! Torino 0-1 Juve (Pogba)
Juve have the lead and it's Paul Pogba who has broken the deadlock. The midfielder reacted quickest after Tevez's header came back off the crossbar from just two yards out. Thankfully for Tevez the French midfielder shows lightening reactions to head home. Advantage to the visitors as the deadlock is broken at the Olimpico!
Torino were caught napping in their own penalty area there, but Tevez may well have been offside at the far post, that was certainly a contentious call. When play resumes Immobile tries to lead a quick response, but lacks composure in the final third as he fails to find Cerci with a stray pass.
Torino simply have to get more men forward to help Cerci, as Asamoah is just about shut down by D'Ambrosio out wide. Juve now look in complete control of the match, but there is still plenty of time for that to change.
YELLOW CARD! The hosts have a free kick out wide as Asamoah barges into the back of Cerci, getting a booking for his late challenge. From the set piece Cerci is unable to make an impact, sending a tame cross into the near post which the smallest man on the pitch Giovinco hurriedly clears.
Marchisio very nearly controls a flick from Tevez in the penalty area, but then shows some frustration in a rash challenge on Vives. That sliding tackle could easily have seen the midfielder pick up a second yellow card and he is very fortunate to still be on the pitch. Ventura looks less than pleased with that decision.
SUBSTITUTION: Torino make a surprising swap as El Kaddouri is taken off for Meggiorini. The forward goes straight into a three-man forward line, with Cerci and Immobile playing high on either flank in support. Time for Torino to go for it!
Juve are furious as the ball is not put out of play with Marchisio and Pogba both down after fierce challenges in midfield. The referee eventually blows up and that incites an angry reaction from Ventura. Tensions running high as we head towards crunch time in the Turin derby.
SUBSTITUTION: A slightly conservative swap from Conte as Padoin comes on for Asamoah. Giovinco has shifted out to the left-hand side to leave Tevez up top on his own for now.
Tevez shows terrific upper-body strength to hold off three defenders on the halfway line, his work rate is certainly not in question in a Juve shirt.
SUBSTITUTION: Juve make their second change as Vucinic provides fresh legs in attack. Giovinco is the player withdrawn after a rather forgettable return to the starting XI.
Vidal casually glides into the final third and evades two challenges, but his flick inside to Tevez finds the Argentine offside. At the other end Cerci drives into the box and goes down under a challenge from Chiellini, but the referee waves for play on.
YELLOW CARD! Moretti is next to earn a booking after hauling down Tevez. The Argentine has really excelled since the break, stretching Torino as they desperately look for a late response.
SAVE! Vucinic finds space at the far post and hits a controlled volley down into the ground. The ball sits up and allows Padelli to turn behind, making a strong save at full stretch. The visitors then win a free kick just outside the box, which Tevez smashes at least 10 yards over the crossbar!
SUBSTITUTION: One final change for the hosts as Farnerud replaces Vives. The Swede has two minutes plus stoppage time to make an impact from midfield.
Cerci wins a late free kick after being tripped up by Tevez, who somehow escapes without a booking for a cynical challenge. Cerci takes short to Darmian but his low drive into the box is easily blocked. That was not the time to try a cute short set-piece, particularly with a packed penalty area.
Darmian atones by winning a corner kick as we head towards stoppage time. Cerci's curling corner is headed partially clear by Tevez, with D'Ambrosio's shot on the follow-up blocked by Lichtsteiner.
A final late change for Juve as Tevez is replaced by Quagliarella. Just one more minute of added time to play as Torino smash upfield.
FULL TIME Torino 0-1 Juventus
All over at the Olimpico as Juve make it five wins in a row. A fortunate victory for Juve and the kind of hard-fought success their Serie A crowns have been built upon.
That just about does it for our coverage of the Derby della Mole. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to stay in touch all day for comprehensive coverage of all the action from Serie A. Good afternoon!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
