Juventus took on AC Milan tonight looking to extend their advantage at the top of Serie A to 11 points.
Milan were also desperate for three points to help their Champions League chase and started brightly in a tight clash at the Juventus Arena.
One mistake proved decisive early in the second half as Marco Amelia conceded a penalty after clattering Kwadwo Asamoah.
Arturo Vidal made no mistake from the spot to break the deadlock and keep Antonio Conte's side on course for a second successive Scudetto.
Evening Calcio fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for live coverage of a Serie A clash steeped in history and tradition. Juventus take on AC Milan this evening as both sides fight for three points towards very different targets.
Juve are within touching distance of a second successive Serie A crown and will restore their 11-point lead with a victory this season. Milan are aiming to move clear of Fiorentina as they chase a place in next season's Champions League.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! With a positive result imperative tonight Allegri has recalled Stephan El Shaarawy after he missed last weekend's draw with Napoli. A full look at both starting XI's will follow in just a few moments.
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal, Asamoah, Marchisio, Vucinic
MILAN: Abbiati, Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Constant, Montolivo, Ambrosini, Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy, Robinho
Milan have gone for a three-man attack this evening in the absence of Mario Balotelli, who continues to miss out through suspension. El Shaarawy and Robinho will occupy wide positions, with Giampaolo Pazzini returning from injury to start in attack.
Veteran captain Massimo Ambrosini is back in central midfield for Matheiu Flamini following his red card against Napoli. Ignazio Abate and Kevin-Prince Boateng have both shrugged off injuries and also start for the visitors this evening.
Juve have Georgio Chiellini back in the side tonight despite the defender suffering with a persistent ankle complaint. His inclusion means that Antonio Conte's side are at pretty much full strength, with Mirko Vucinic chosen to lead the line ahead of Alessandro Matri.
Paul Pogba has also kept his place tonight after starting last week's impressive victory at Lazio. He starts in midfield alongside Andrea Pirlo, who comes up against his former club tonight after spending 10 tremendous seasons at the San Siro.
Conte has decided to tweak his tactics slightly in recent weeks and will stick with a 3-5-1-1 system tonight. Claudio Marchisio will play in advanced role behind Vucinic, with Pogba and Vidal given license to get forward at every opportunity.
Nicklas Bendtner makes a surprising return to the Juve squad tonight and is named as a substitute. Bojan is also back from injury to make the Milan bench this evening, alonside M'Baye Niang. A full at both benches will follow shortly.
JUVE BENCH: Storari, Rubinho, Caceres, De Ceglie, Peluso, Bendtner, Padoin, Giaccherini, Quagliarella, Matri, Isla, Marrone
MILAN BENCH: Amelia, Narduzzo, Yepes, Antonini, De Sciglio, Bonera, Zaccardo, Traore, Nocerino, Muntari, Bojan, Niang
PREDICTION! We are a few minutes from kickoff so there is just time to make a reasoned guess about who will come out in tonight's battle between Serie A heavyweights. Juve looked superb against Lazio last week and I fully expect Conte's men to secure a narrow victory this evening. Look for Marchisio to get on the scoresheet in a 2-0 success for the Old Lady.
Ambrosini and Gianluigi Buffon have just completed the pre-match routine between captains and we are just about ready to kickoff at the Juventus Area. Can Milan prove their worth tonight without Balotelli to lead the line?
Juve get things underway shooting from right to left but quickly concede possession in their own half, with Robinho winning a free kick to allow Milan to establish possession in the early going.
Robinho tries his luck from range early on with a powerful drive, which falls well wide of the target. Juve clear upfield in search of Marchisio, but Abate is quick to the danger and uses his pace to clear any potential danger.
Milan have made a relatively confident start at the Juve Arena as they stride forward through Boateng. His driving central run finds El Shaarawy on the left wing as he cuts inside with pace and purpose. His driving shot is straight at Buffon and easily caught by the Juve keeper.
SHOT! Robinho concedes a free kick 20 yards from goal after needlessly controlling with his arm. Pirlo takes the set piece and his deflected drive almost deceives Abbiati. The Milan stopper just about adjusted in time to make a strong reflex save and keep the game goalless.
An injury to Pazzini forces an unwelcome break in play for the visitors just after Montolivo managed to clear Pirlo's corner kick. The forward is fine to continue after a few minutes as play resumes with a wayward strike from Pogba, who hammered over from distance.
Juve gift possession to Milan in their own half after a sloppy clearance from Lichtsteiner. Ambrosini collects 30 yards from goal and elects to shoot but can only send a low effort well wide of Buffon's near post. More early signs of encouragement for the visitors.
Juve launch a quick counter and have numbers forward as Marchisio breaks from deep. Vidal eventually receives the ball and crosses towards Vucinic at the far post, but his pass is too long and drifts out for a goal kick.
SUBSTITUTION: Milan have been forced to change their goalkeeper after 15 minutes. Abbiati is clearly hurt after making that reflex save from Pirlo and hobbles to the touchline. He comes off to be replaced by Marco Amelia.
Amelia is nearly forced into action quickly as Juve attack down the right through Lichtsteiner. His deep cross picks out Pogba in the penalty area, with the Frenchman decided to try his luck from close range with an overhead kick. The acrobatic attempt has plenty of power but lacks accuracy, flying wide of the near post.
A sloppy pass forward from Zapata ends a sustained spell of possession for Milan, who kept the ball well for over a minute without truly threatening to create a strike at goal. At the other Juve are once again quick to commit numbers on the counter as Lichtsteiner wins a corner kick down the wing.
Asamoah drives over from distance for the home side, with Boateng failing to pick out Pazzini at the other end as both sides struggle to find the opener. Pirlo then gives away possession in his own half with misplaced pass, a real collectors item from the midfield maestro. Ambrosini is quick to react but again shoots wide from range instead of choosing to pick out a teammate.
Ambrosini is slightly fortunate to escape a caution after lunging in late on Chiellini without winning the ball. The referee has a lengthy discussion with the veteran and decides a stern warning will suffice. Milan are then on the attack through Robinho, who made a clever run to find Abate who shot wide from tight angle.
Pirlo glides past Ambrosini and wins a free kick around 20 yards from goal. His strike from the resulting set piece takes a small deflection but still sails harmlessly through to Amelia for his first save of the match.
For the third time in as many minutes Ambrosini commits a foul, this time for another block on Pirlo. Juve are now pressing higher up the pitch as frustration grows among the home crowd after a lackluster start to the match.
Vucinic has just let a chance to hit the target pass by after making a poor connection with a header from close range. The forward did well to read a quick free kick from Pirlo but could only send his looping effort high and wide on the turn.
Milan want a free kick just outside the penalty area after Chiellini made a high challenge to stop Robinho passing into a dangerous position. His studs were high in an awkward tackle but the referee waves away protests from the visitors.
Pazzini smashes a volley into the penalty area but is unable to pick out El Shaarawy to end a positive period of pressure for Milan. Pogba drops deep to win possession for the home side, but just one pass later Vucinic has Allegri's side back in the ascendancy.
Robinho drives into the final third for Milan with purpose and waits for a run from strike partner Pazzini. His eventual final pass is just behind the striker and allows Juve to support Chiellini and regroup in numbers. Juve look disjointed at the moment but Milan have another injury worry with Ambrosini, who comes to the touchline with an ankle problem.
El Shaarawy showns surprisingly strong defensive skills to track a late forward burst from Lichtsteiner. He sticks with the full-back to clear under pressure and stop Vidal's pass inside creating a clever overlap down the right wing for Juve.
Pazzini puts Bonucci under pressure as he aims to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick. The forward's efforts are rewarded as he robs possession near the corner flag. He eventually turns inside and darts towards the penalty area but is denied by a strong, important challenge from Chiellini.
Juve have conceded possession with rare regularity throughout the first period as Milan end the half attacking through Boateng after Chiellini's forward run failed to win a free kick. Montolivo and Mexes exchange passes but Juve have regrouped and sit deep to defend for the final few moments of the half.
HALF-TIME Juventus 0-0 AC Milan
Milan run of time to take a corner kick as the referee ends the half after two additional minutes. Allegri's side have just about shaded a tight affair so far without providing service for Pazzini or El Shaarawy to test Buffon in the final third.
Conte has some work to do at the break, with his side falling short of their own high standards so far tonight. Vucinic has looked isolated in a lone forward role, while Pirlo and Vidal have failed to keep possession or find a killer pass in the penalty area.
The Old Lady have only shown signs of promise down the right wing, where Lichtsteiner is causing problems with his willingness to make runs into the final third. Pogba also looks in fine form after an authoritative display in central midfield.
The closest we have come to a goal this evening is a deflected free kick from Pirlo. The midfielder's shot was saved by a fine late stop from Abbiati, who hurt himself in the process and was withdrawn just 15 minutes in.
Juve may look to their bench after a disappointing to help Vucinic with a heavy workload in attack. Fabio Quagliarella, Matri or perhaps the returning Nicklas Bendtner could do just that and give Juve two forward options on the counter.
This hotly-anticipated clash is yet to catch fire, with both sides staying cautious in a tense first 45 minutes. Milan are more desperate for the victory so expect the Rossoneri to force the action with intensity after the break.
SUBSTITUTION! sides are back out and it looks like Milan have been forced into another change as Sully Muntari prepares to come on. Ambrosini is unable to continue with an ankle injury and Allegri now has just change left to make.
CHANCE! Juve make a positive start and force a corner kick early in the second half after pressing high up the pitch. Pirlo's cross is met by a strong header from Chiellini, who sees a powerful effort fly a few yards over the crossbar from close range. This is much more like what we've come to expect from the reigning champions!
Milan are once again left looking for a quality pass in the final third, with Pazzini's flick towards Muntari easily ready by Buffon as a chance to attack in numbers quickly fades for the visitors.
Mexes surges forward after winning possession in the opposition half and has time and space to think about his next move. The Frenchman decides to shoot and sends his left-footed drive straight to Buffon from 20 yards.
Asamoah's poor touch puts Milan clear on the counter, but Chiellini covers with precision to cut out Boateng's diagonal pass into Abate and win a free kick. At the other end Vidal tries a similar through ball in search of Vucinic, but once again a strong defender intercepts as both sides remain deadlocked.
PENALTY TO JUVENTUS! Amelia has just gifted Juve a spot kick after bringing down Asamoah following a poor attempt to clear from Abate.
GOAL! Juventus 1-0 AC Milan (Vidal)
Vidal makes no mistake with a pinpoint penalty, sent high into the top corner with authority. Milan have been punished to the maximum for communication between defender and goalkeeper. Amelia was booked for clattering into Asamoah but Abate was equally responsible for failing to clear when he had the opportunity. Advantage Juve!
Milan's unbeaten league record in 2013 is now under severe threat as Juve chase forward in search of a second goal. Lichtsteiner fortunately wins a corner kick after he appeared to make the final touch in challenge with Constant. Chiellini and Mexes tangle in the penalty area as Pogba climbs highest to meet Pirlo's in-swinging cross.
The visitors attack down the left as Constant creates an overlap with El Shaarawy, but Chiellini is well placed to clear and launch a quick counter for Juve as Pirlo strides forward.
YELLOW CARD! Zapata picks up a yellow card after blocking a forward run from Vucinic with a cynical challenge. That booking is the Colombian's fifth of the season and bring up an automatic one-match ban for the central defender.
An incisive forward move featuring Pirlo and Pogba has Juve in the penalty area with options to choose from. Vucinic takes a before shooting and just allows Mexes to block with a crucial last-ditch challenge. From the corner Boateng's attempted clearance causes a goalmouth scramble, before Bonucci's scuffed shot is saved comfortably by Amelia.
SUBSTITUTION! Milan make their final change as Bojan comes on to provide fresh impetus in attack. He replaced Robinho, who comes off after an indifferent night on the right side of a misfiring front three.
YELLOW CARD! Mexes picks up his 16th booking of the campaign for a physical challenge on Vucinic. The Frenchman was caught flat-footed and decided to bring down the advancing forward 30 yards from goal with a cynical tackle.
Boateng does well to push Chiellini aside out wide and drive into the penalty area. From a tight angle he crosses towards Pazzini at the near post, but Bonucci darts across to clear with a vital interception. A minute later Muntari fires a low central strike into Buffon's arms as Milan step up their push for an equaliser.
Milan enjoy a sustained spell of possession in the final third as Bojan, Constant and Boateng all try to search for a killer pass. The latter eventually tries a deep cross and gets the contact all wrong, giving Juve the chance to drop deeper and regroup.
Still no sign of a Juve change as we enter the final 10 minutes of a tight match. Constant's long pass into the penalty area is headed away by a towering leap from Bonucci, but Milan continue to press the action.
SUBSTITUTION! Conte finally uses his bench to swap Lichtsteiner for Padoin. The full-back looked tired in the closing stages, with Padoin introduced primarily to deal with the forward bursts from Constant that have become more prominent in the last few minutes.
Allegri is furious with the referee for not allowing a quick free kick to be taken following Chiellini's foul on Bojan. A sign of frustration for the Milan coach, primarily because his side are behind thanks to one moment of madness early in the second half.
Montolivo is the latest Milan player to try his luck with a strike from distance. His swerving strike is powerful but too central, allowing Buffon time to adjust and make a comfortable save. Time is running out for the visitors to earn a point at the Juve Arena.
Bonucci concedes a late free kick near the halfway line after a tussle with Pazzini. Montolivo chooses to shoot from at least 35 yards but his deflected strike ricochets off Pazzini into the path of Mexes. He decides to shoot quickly but fires well wide from 12 yards. A real chance goes begging for Milan, do they have time to create another?
SUBSTITUTIONS! Juve make two late changes in quick succession to disrupt Milan's late charge, with Quagliarella and Peluso brought on in place of Vucinic and Asamoah. Milan are once again restricted to a strike from range when play resumes as Montolivo's effort trickles through to Buffon with little power.
FULL-TIME Juventus 1-0 AC Milan
Well that was far from vintage Juve but they are now 11 points clear of Napoli thanks to a well-taken penalty from Arturo Vidal. Conte's side now need just four points from their last five games to be crowned champions for the second successive season.
Milan can take heart from a solid display but their 14-match unbeaten run is over after their first league defeat in 2013. They now have a real fight on their hands to secure Champions League qualification, with Fiorentina just a point behind in fourth place.
That just about does it for another weekend of Serie A coverage from Sports Mole. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check in again for comprehensive coverage of football from across the continent. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
