Juventus stretch lead Serie A lead to six points with win over Cagliari
Juventus 3-1 Cagliari: Paulo Dybala scored the Old Lady's opener in the very first minute of the match
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Paulo Dybala's strike inside the opening minute set Juventus on course for their 10th win of the Serie A campaign, although Cagliari made things uncomfortable for Massimiliano Allegri's men.
After seeing nearest rivals Inter Milan romp to victory against Genoa earlier in the day, the Bianconeri restored their six-point cushion at the top of the standings with a 3-1 triumph at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus got off to the dream start as Dybala struck inside the opening minute, but Cagliari came back into proceedings and levelled superbly though Joao Pedro.
But the Sardinians were level for just 125 seconds as Filip Bradaric scored an own goal, with the midfielder perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty shortly afterwards.
Cristiano Ronaldo rattled the woodwork at the end of a first half that was followed by a far-less interesting second period, with the Portuguese setting up Juan Cuadrado for a late third.
While it was not an entirely convincing display, it acted as a solid warm-up for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Manchester United.
Allegri's side will seal progress to the last-16 if they avoid defeat against a United side that were undone at Old Trafford by Dybala, who needed just 42 seconds to break the deadlock on Saturday night.
Cagliari's ball down the left flank was picked off and the Argentina international was played in, smartly turning away from two defenders and striking low past goalkeeper Alessio Cragno despite the forward slipping.
It was an ideal start that Douglas Costa quickly tried to add to, but Juventus' comfort began to wane along with their intensity.
Medhi Benatia was adjudged not to have handled before Wojciech Szczesny impressively thwarted Leonardo Pavoletti, with Cagliari's purpose eventually rewarded in the 36th minute.
Pedro brought down the ball superbly in the box and continued to strike a low effort inside the near post - a wonderful goal that was soon undone as Costa's cross from the left was inadvertently turned home by Bradaric.
Matters could have perhaps been even worse before half-time.
The video assistant referee advised official Maurizio Mariani to watch an incident when Bradaric appeared to handle in the box but - after several replays - he decided against a spot-kick.
Ronaldo rattled the post from an acute angle in stoppage time, with a thrilling first half making way for a tepid second.
With Juventus only holding a one-goal advantage, there was still hope for Cagliari and Allegri turned to a back three in the final stages to see things out.
The visitors were pushing for a leveller, only to be caught out by Juventus' rapid attackers.
Cuadrado put Ronaldo through down the right, with the star man unselfishly feeding back into the path of the Colombian to sweep home.
PA
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No real surprises from Max Allegri there, with Chiellini left out due to muscular fatigue. His replacement Mehdi Benatia has been indifferent this season, so this should be a good test for the Moroccan.
Again no shocks from Ernesto Valverde at Vallecas. Lionel Messi returned to training this week following an arm fracture suffered against Sevilla but the Barca boss is in no mood to take any risks.
Clement Lenglet continues at centre-back following the continued absences of Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen with knee and hamstring problems respectively.
So what can we expect from the fixture in Turin this evening?
Juventus will certainly fancy their chances with history very much on their side.
The Serie A champions have only lost one of their 32 Serie A home games against Cagliari, and they have not conceded a goal against the Sardinians in their last four games.
It's makes for similar leading at managerial level, with Max Allegri having never lost against Cagliari coach Rolando Maran or against his former side.
Nevertheless, the Rossoblu arrive undefeated in three games, and the pressure is very much on Juve with Inter Milan and Napoli both cutting the gap at the top to three points with emphatic wins.
Kick off in just over 30 minutes time.
And what about in Madrid this evening?
Well, while Barcelona's last outing against a Madrid side went extremely well last weekend, their last trip to the Spanish capital was far less fruitful, when they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Leganes at Butarque.
Rayo Vallecano meanwhile sit 19th, one place behind Leganes, and they are yet to win at home this season with their only victory of the season coming at bottom-club Huesca in mid-September.
The hosts have already conceded 20 goals this term, while the visitors have scored 28 from their 10 games so far this season.
Kick off in the Spanish capital in 40 minutes time.
So, just 15 minutes till kick-off in Turin.
It's 1st against 12th, with 15 points currently separating the sides. Juve will reopen a six-point lead over the chasing pack with a win at the Allianz Stadium, while Cagliari could jump to 8th were they to pull off an almighty shock.
Five minutes until kick-off in Italy, and there is mixed news on the injury front.
Sami Khedira returns to the bench, but there is still no Mario Mandzukic for the hosts. Federico Bernadeschi also misses out, but the hosts will believe they still have enough.
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