Juve's dominance in the Derby della Mole continued. This was their eighth win in the last nine games. Torino haven't netted against their rivals for 15 games and last tasted victory way back in 1995.
Torino vs Juventus, final score 0-1: Pogba puts Toro to the sword
Paul Pogba’s second half header settled the season’s first Turin derby, as Juventus ran out 1-0 winners over Torino.
Paolo Bruno
Ciro Immobile lined up against his parent club. Ex-Granata captain Angelo Ogbonna was on the Juve bench, along with Andrea Pirlo, who was being rested with the midweek Champions League game against Galatasaray in mind. Antonio Conte rotated his strikers once again, so Sebastian Giovinco came in for his first league start of the season to partner Carlos Tevez.
A scrappy first half meant that chances were few and far between. Danilo D'Ambrosio headed a Toro free kick over. Giovinco's cut back into the box was just behind Tevez and Pogba's long distance drive didn't trouble Torino goalkeeper Daniele Padelli.
Alessio Cerci curled a trademark free kick around the wall but wide of the post. Just past the half hour, Tevez saw his pinpoint cross intercepted before it could reach Giovinco's head. Stephan Lichtsteiner made a foray forward and dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box. Moments later, Gianluigi Buffon stood back and watched Kamil Glik's ambitious drive whistle wide.
Immobile was booked after catching Tevez from behind. The Argentine hobbled off to have his ankle bandaged up, but came back on shortly after to run it off. The magic spray was back out again when Torino's robust tackling caught up with Giovinco. Juventus' attackers literally limped into the half time break licking their wounds.
Just 20 seconds after the restart, Tevez drove towards the 18 yard box and hooked a shot over the bar. With Conte’s team talk still ringing in their ears, Juve came out much more aggressive and started to take the game to their hosts.
Tevez’s flick produced a quick move which teed up Giovinco in the box. Padelli saved smartly with his legs, but the Atomic Ant really should have scored. Giovinco made amends for the miss by turning provider for the opening goal on 54 minutes.
The forward's outswinging corner was met by a game of head tennis between Leonardo Bonucci and Tevez in the Torino box. The Argentine's effort ricocheted back off the crossbar and Pogba was on hand to nod in the rebound. Toro's heated protests about Tevez apparently being in an offside position fell on deaf ears and the goal stood.
The Bianconeri took control of the game, resulting in Torino struggling to create anything going forward. Tevez sent an effort wide from the edge of the area and Cerci’s penalty appeals were waved away after he collided with Giorgio Chiellini’s arm.
Padelli saved a late volley from Mirko Vucinic. The substitute struck his effort into the ground, but it bounced up kindy for the shot stopper to palm away. Tevez ballooned one final free kick into the stands, as Conte’s side eased to victory.
Torino: Padelli; Rodriguez, (Masiello 46) Glik, Moretti; Darmian, Brighi, Vives, (Farnerud 87) El Kaddouri, (Meggiorini 68) D’Ambrosio; Cerci, Immobile
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pogba,Marchisio, Asamoah; (Padoin 74) Tevez (Quagliarella 90+2), Giovinco (Vucinic 78)
Goals: Pogba 54 (J)
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