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Juventus continued their dominance in the Derby della Mole, scoring twice in the last 13 minutes of the game to secure a 2-1 win over Torino in the 2020-21 2020-21 Serie A.
Torino broke the deadlock in the ninth minute through defender Nicolas Nkoulou, with the reigning champions spending most of the game trying to get back on level terms.
Weston McKennie levelled proceedings on the night for Juventus before Leonardo Bonucci scored at the death to secure all three points for the stuttering defending champions.
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There was not much to take away for Juventus in the first 45 minutes, with Paulo Dybala's curler from outside the box on the cusp of half-time their only shot on target.
Dejan Kulusevski handed Il Toro a golden opportunity to double their lead in the second half, as his clumsy challenge on Karol Linetty resulted in a free-kick for Torino in a dangerous position. However, Ricardo Rodriguez's shot was blocked by the Juventus wall, and Andrea Pirlo breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Juan Cuadrado's excellent finish following a corner from outside the box was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check, as Leonardo Bonucci was deemed to be in an offside position when the ball went in.
The Colombian, however, provided a beautiful assist just 20 minutes later when his cross into the box was met by Weston McKennie's header after the substitute timed his run to perfection.
In the closing minutes of the game, Cuadrado produced another inviting cross from a similar position, and this time it was Bonucci who made the net bulge with a powerful header.
On that note, let us take a look at the five major talking points from the game as Juventus and Andrea Pirlo remain unbeaten in the Serie A after a hard-fought win.
#5 Juventus fail to keep a clean sheet in the league yet again
Juventus have conceded a joint-low eight goals in ten Serie A games this season, but clean sheets have been too few and far between. The Bianconeri managed a shutout in their opening league fixture of the campaign back in September, but their only other clean sheet since then came in the 2-0 win over Cagliari last month.
Juventus have been dealing with the absence of key players in defence since the start of the campaign, which might explain their struggles in the defensive third. However, against Torino, despite having two of their best centre-backs at the heart of the defence, Juventus conceded early.
The Bianconeri probably need to look for a right-back in the upcoming transfer window, as Juan Cuadrado is more potent further up the pitch.
#4 Profligate Juventus almost dropped more points
Juventus did not look confident in front of goal against Torino. In the first half, they managed only one shot on target. They have grown overly reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been involved in roughly 50% of all their goals this season.
Ronaldo notched up his 750th goal for club and country in midweek but drew a blank against Torino. And Juventus almost dropped more points because of that.
Though the Bianconeri enjoyed roughly 65% possession throughout the game and found themselves in dangerous positions near the Torino box, they failed to make their chances count.
Only a quarter of their 17 shots were on target,and they bagged both their goals from set-piece situations rather than open play.
Also Read: Top 10 football players with the most fans in the world.
#3 Juventus' perseverance pays off in the second half
Juventus had the lion's share of possession in the game, and it mattered in the eventual scheme of things, as the Bianconeri conjured a late winner.
After an insipid first half, where Juventus fell behind early, the defending champions improved after the break. The Bianconeri dominated possession, earning as many as 13 corners.
The pressure finally told on Torino, who conceded twice in the final quarter of the game, to drop all three points.
#2 Juan Cuadrado delivers a Man-of-the-Match performance
Cristiano Ronaldo's absence was acutely felt by Juventus in their draw against Benevento last week, but against Torino, it was not the 35-year-old who was the most influential player in the Black and White jersey.
It was right-back Juan Cuadrado who had one long-range goal denied by VAR before he set up both Bianconeri goals with inviting crosses.
The former Chelsea winger has been extensively used as a full-back in the last two seasons at Juventus. However, against Torino, Cuadrado proved that he still possesses the instincts of a winger and could work in a more advanced role if some of the big names misfire.
#1 Andrea Pirlo sets a new Serie A record despite an average start to his managerial career
Andrea Pirlo has been criticised for Juventus' indifferent Seria A performances, as the Bianconeri drew five of their opening nine games. The Bianconeri dropped points against sides like Benevento, Verona and Crotone,
However, in the derby against Torino, Andrea Pirlo's men stepped up to preserve Juventus' unbeaten start to the league season.
In the process, Andrea Pirlo extended his unbeaten league start to ten games, becoming the first debutant manager in the Italian top flight to do so in 26 years.
The former player has looked shorn of ideas at times, tinkering with his lineup on too many occasions. However, the draw against Torino should help the beleaguered Andrea Pirlo sink his teeth into the Juventus top job and make an impact at the stuttering defending champions.
