Federico Gatti and Arkadiusz Milik ensured Juventus’ domination of the Derby della Mole continued as they defeated Torino 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium.
Defender Gatti and substitute Milik both scored after the break to settle a hard-fought encounter in which the visitors rarely looked like ending a wait for a victory over their arch-rivals, which now extends to 19 games.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men struggled to create openings before half-time, but dominated after the opening goal and were ultimately good value for their win.
View this post on InstagramIndeed, the visitors barely mustered an attempt of note on Wojciech Szczesny’s goal as they looked for a first win on enemy soil since April 1995.Juve thought they had got off to the perfect start when striker Moise Kean smashed the ball home with just five minutes gone, but his joy instantly turned to frustration courtesy of an offside flag.
Midfielder Valentino Lazaro registered the visitors’ first effort of note when he blazed over from a tight angle, but in an open encounter, Kean was only just unable to get to Filip Kostic’s 18th-minute driven cross at the far post.
However, clear-cut chances were few and far between as the first half unfolded, although home goalkeeper Szczesny had to palm away Raoul Bellanova’s 28th-minute cross at his near post after he had linked with Demba Seck down the right.
Bellanova blazed wide after an enterprising run as he cut in a minute before the break, but the sides went in level with neither keeper having been troubled unduly.
Juve took the lead two minutes after the restart when former Torino youth player Gatti forced the ball home at the second attempt amid a goalmouth scramble after keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had come for, but failed to collect, a right-wing corner.
The goal was only awarded after a lengthy VAR check as Brazilian defender Bremer received treatment in the goalmouth after being accidentally caught in the face by team-mate Kean’s flying boot.
View this post on InstagramDuvan Zapata saw a 57th-minute attempt deflected over Szczesny’s crossbar as Torino looked for a way back into the game, but their hopes were dealt a significant blow five minutes later.
Milik, a half-time replacement for Fabio Miretti, had forced Milinkovic-Savic to concede a corner by turning his downward header over the crossbar, but he got the better of the keeper from the resulting set-piece, heading home with the help of a deflection off his shoulder.
Zapata headed straight at Szczesny from Mergim Vojvoda’s cross with four minutes remaining – Torino’s first effort on target – but Milinkovic-Savic had to get down well to repel Milik’s skidding strike seconds later as the hosts eased across the finishing line.
Al-Khaleej 0-1 Al-Nassr: Ronaldo misfires on return as Laporte nets winner
Cristiano Ronaldo returned from suspension but failed to find the net as Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 win over Al-Khaleej on Saturday, with Aymeric Laporte coming up with the decisive goal.
Ronaldo was in action for the first time since being sent off for an elbow in a 2-1 Saudi Super Cup loss to Al-Hilal earlier this month, with his initial two-match ban being reduced to one on appeal.
He missed three good chances as Al-Nassr threatened to fall further behind runaway Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, but former Manchester City defender Laporte spared his blushes by nodding Marcelo Brozovic's deep free-kick into the bottom-left corner with 68 minutes gone.
Al-Nassr remain nine points adrift of Al-Hilal at the summit in spite of their win, with Jorge Jesus' team unbeaten through 28 games this season as they close in on a record-extending 18th title.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo misfires on return
Ronaldo was presented with the Saudi Pro League's Player of the Month award for March ahead of kick-off, having scored four goals in three league appearances last month.
However, his sights were off on Saturday as he failed to net despite three of the visitors' four big chances, as defined by Opta, falling his way. He led all players on the pitch for expected goals (1.27 xG), shots (five), shots on target (three) and touches in the area (nine) without reward.
Juventus 0-0 Milan: Goalless draw ensures Rossoneri retain grip on second
Juventus and Milan played out a 0-0 draw at a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Serie A on Saturday, with both sides still seeking to secure Champions League spots for next season.
Midfielder Filip Kostic and striker Arkadiusz Milik had great chances to give Juventus the lead in the second half but Milan goalkeeper Marco Sportiello showed off his skills to keep their attempts out.
The Rossoneri finished the game without a shot on target as the contest finished goalless, leaving the sides to share the spoils.
Milan remain second in the standings on 70 points while Juventus remain third on 65, after Inter sealed the title on Monday.
Huddersfield all but relegated from Championship while League Two play-off spots decided
Huddersfield Town saw their relegation from the Championship all but confirmed after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Terriers avoided a defeat that would have seen them relegated on Saturday, but even a win on the final day over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town will not be enough unless they overcome a huge goal difference of 15 goals with Plymouth Argyle.
Birmingham remain in the other relegation place and now must beat Norwich City to stand a chance of staying up with Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn Rovers also still in danger.
At the other end of the table, the Canaries dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, leaving the door open for Hull City, who face Ipswich Town later today.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
