It ends 2-0 to Juventus with goals from Dybala and Ronaldo settling the result at the Allianz Stadium. Dybala and Ramsey both went closing to putting the hosts in front inside the first half, but it was Pjanic who eventually opened the scoring with his sweeping long-range effort on the brink of half-time. Juventus were then dominant in the second period and Dybala and Khedira both had chances to extend the lead before Ronaldo added a second with his back-post header on the 78th minute. SPAL delivered a solid display against the Serie A holders, but they failed to really test their opponents and Buffon remained largely untested all match.
90′ + 5′ FULL-TIME: Juventus 2-0 SPAL
90′ + 4′ CLOSE! Cuadrado’s delivery from deep on the right flank is met by Ronaldo at the back post, but his first-time acrobatic effort trails just wide of the right-hand post.
90′ + 4′ Ronaldo picks out Dybala as he makes a run on the left-hand side of the box and he then fizzes a low delivery across the face of goal, but Can fails to get a touch on it and it runs out for a throw-in.
90′ + 2′ Can is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Reca near the left flank.
90′ + 1′ Reca is now back on the pitch following a lengthy spell of treatment on the sideline.
90′ There will be five minutes of added time.
89′ Dybala brings the ball forward on the left wing and then several touches to cut inside, but he then pulls his effort wide of the left-hand post from just inside the SPAL box.
88′ Reca has now gone to ground again and is receiving treatment on the sideline, with it looking uncertain whether he will be able to continue.
86′ Bonucci loses out to Paloschi near the left-hand byline inside the Juventus box and Paloschi then manages to cut it back to Jankovic in a central area, but he misses the ball and Juventus take their opportunity to clear the danger.
85′ Reca is back on his feet and looks able to continue.
84′ Reca is currently down and receiving medical treatment after being pushed over by Can, with SPAL waiting to take a free-kick on the left flank.
A. Petagna
Yellow Card
82′ Petagna is shown a yellow card for catching de Ligt’s face with his elbow while both players were competing for a header.
80′ Cuadrado receives the ball on the overlap on the right flank and he then cuts it inside to Bernardeschi in the box who opens his body, but then sees his low shot blocked by the SPAL defence who quash the attack.
P. Dybala
Assist
78′ That was a fine delivery from Dybala to pick out Ronaldo who found himself unmarked at the back post, and that goal should surely seal the victory for Juventus.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Goal
78′ GOOOAL! Ronaldo makes it 2-0 to Juventus! Dybala travels down the left channel with menace before whipping a deep delivery into the box and Ronaldo rises highest at the back post to nod the ball underneath Berisha and into the bottom right-hand corner.
R. Bentancur
A. Rabiot
77′ Juventus make their third change of the match as Rabiot is replaced by Bentancur.
A. Paloschi
G. Moncini
76′ SPAL’s third change sees Moncini brought on to replace Paloschi.
76′ Matuidi scoops a delivery into the box from the left flank and Dybala strives to meet it at the front post, but Julio is on hand to get there first and clear it out for another Juventus corner.
74′ SAVE! Pjanic emerges with the ball in midfield and then sprays it wide to Ronaldo on the right-hand side of the box, but Ronaldo then sees his firm effort saved well by Berisha and it goes out for a corner.
M. Janković
J. Sala
72′ SPAL make their second change as Jankovic enters the fray in place of Sala.
72′ Some careful build-up play from Juventus leads to Pjanic clipping a ball over the top of the defence for Dybala to chase, but it just evades his reach and Berisha lets it run out for a goal-kick.
70′ Can edges forward with the ball some 30 yards from goal before attempting to pick out the run of Ronaldo between the lines, but the midfielder puts just too much pace on his pass and Berisha beats Ronaldo to the loose ball.
68′ CLOSE AGAIN! Dybala slots a pass through to Ronaldo down the left channel and he then advances into the box before firing a shot across the face of goal, but Berisha gets to ground in order to tip it wide of the right-hand post.
67′ CHANCE! Dybala receives the ball from Pjanic in the centre of midfield and then dances past challenges from three SPAL players to gain access to the box, but his low effort is pushed away by Berisha and Ronaldo is flagged for offside as he tries to reach the rebound.
F. Bernardeschi
A. Ramsey
65′ Sarri makes his second change of the match as Bernardeschi is brought on in place of Ramsey.
63′ Juventus win a free-kick on the right flank following Missiroli’s foul on Cuadrado which gives Pjanic the opportunity to whip a delivery into the box, but the linesman raises his flag for offside to put an end to the opportunity.
E. Can
S. Khedira
61′ Juventus’ first substitution of the match sees Khedira replaced by Can.
60′ A deep Juventus corner eventually drops for de Ligt at the back post and he tries to create some space to fizz a delivery into the box, but the defender lacks close control inside the box and the SPAL defence wins the ball back.
58′ Moncini takes a heavy first touch as the ball is played into him on the edge of the box, but he then manages to reach the loose ball ahead of de Ligt who blocks the striker’s volley from a tight angle on the left-hand side of the box.
Espeto
A. Murgia
57′ SPAL make their first change of the match as Strefezza is brought on to replace Murgia.
Igor
Yellow Card
55′ Julio is shown SPAL’s first yellow card of the match for tripping over Khedira with a challenge from behind.
54′ CHANCE! Ronaldo beats Berisha to the ball on the right-hand byline and then steadies himself before scooping a delivery into the centre. Khedira arrives late into the box to meet it with a stooping header, but he directs it straight at Berisha who manages to tip it wide for a corner.
52′ Pjanic drives into the box from the left flank and then stalls his run before trying to find Matuidi on the overlap, but he waits too long and Vicari is able to recover and make a crucial intervention inside the six-yard box.
50′ Ramsey wins the ball back from Missiroli on the right-hand side of the area and eventually plays it back to Dybala who cuts inside before drilling a shot at goal, but he fails to test Berisha and fires it well wide of the right-hand post.
48′ Ronaldo glides down the left wing before squaring the ball inside to Ramsey on the edge of the box and the midfielder then attempts to play a one-two with Ronaldo, but he fails to time his pass correctly and it runs out for a goal-kick.
47′ Pjanic is tugged down by Moncini some 30 yards from goal and Juventus have a chance to send it into the box, but Pjanic clips his delivery straight into the hands of Berisha who then tries to set SPAL on the attack.
46′ The referee blows his whistle and SPAL kick us off at the start of the second period.
The players are emerging from the tunnel and we are now nearing the start of the second half at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus have been the dominant side so far having recorded 67.3 per cent of the first-half possession, but SPAL have looked competitive and this is represented by the fact they won one more duel than Juventus in the opening 45 minutes. Sarri will be hoping his Juventus side can create a two-goal cushion soon after the break, as there is no reason why SPAL cannot hit the hosts on the break in the second period.
Juventus enter the half-time break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Pjanic’s stunning strike in the dying embers of the first half. Juventus have created the better chances so far with Khedira heading wide early on, before Dybala and Ramsey both saw efforts saved in the latter stages of the opening period. Pjanic then produced a moment of magic in the 45th minute when his half-volley found the left-hand corner from just outside the box to give Juventus a deserved lead at the break.
45′ HALF-TIME: Juventus 1-0 SPAL
S. Khedira
Assist
45′ It was a glorious strike from Pjanic but Khedira’s role in the goal should not be understated as he showed great awareness to notice Pjanic’s presence, and then he had the composure to lay it on a plate for the midfielder.
M. Pjanić
Goal
45′ GOOOAL! Pjanic makes it 1-0 to Juventus! Berisha punches Matuidi’s cross out to the edge of the box and it drops to Khedira who lays it off to Pjanic arriving on his left. The midfielder then produces a wonderful first-time effort to smash the ball far into the left-hand corner and leave Berisha with no chance.
43′ CLOSE! Cuadrado spots the run of Ronaldo on the right-hand side of the box and he then travels to the byline before floating a delivery towards Ramsey inside the six-yard box, but he sees his close-range header saved by Berisha’s trailing leg.
41′ Rabiot sprays the ball wide to Ronaldo who races down the left flank before approaching the penalty area, but this time Tomovic manages to make an intervention and he wins the ball off the forward.
39′ Ronaldo tricks his way down the left flank and eventually escapes the challenge of Tomovic before squeezing a lofted delivery into the box, but he sends it too deep into the area and the attack loses its momentum.
37′ Dybala wins Juventus a free-kick 25 yards from goal as he is pushed over by Tomovic, but they fail to take advantage of the opportunity as Dybala crashes his free-kick against the wall.
35′ CHANCE! Juventus break from the corner and the ball is played to Dybala on the right flank who surges forward before cutting inside the box, but he then sees his side-footed effort palmed wide by Berisha.
34′ Cuadrado’s challenge on Reca sees SPAL awarded a free-kick on the left flank and Murgia sends a testing delivery into the box, but Buffon emerges from his goal to punch away the ball and set up Juventus on a counter-attack.
S. Khedira
Yellow Card
32′ Khedira is shown the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Moncini as SPAL look to build an attack.
30′ Dybala cuts inside from the right flank and is tugged to ground by Missiroli on the edge of the penalty box and the referee decides to play an advantage as the ball drops to Cuadrado, but his delivery fails to cause SPAL many problems and the defence clears it with ease.
28′ SPAL have a chance to lauch a counter-attack as Missiroli surges forward from deep and approaches the edge of the box, but de Ligt manages to make a crucial intervention before the ball can be played wide to Moncini.
26′ Pjanic picks up the ball deep in midfield and assesses his options before trying to lob a pass over the defence for Ramsey to chase. The midfielder manages break the defensive line, but Berisha has already emerged from his goal to claim the loose ball first.
25′ Bonucci picks the ball up in defence and then looks to slot a through ball towards Ronaldo on the right channel, but the forward failed to time his run correctly and was flagged for offside.
23′ Some of Juventus’ passing has been slightly off so far as Cuadrado fails to find Matuidi with a cross-field ball. SPAL are attempting to capitalise on this error by launching a quick attack, but Sala doesn’t have enough support to take a quick throw-in.
21′ Bonucci launches a long ball forward from deep which Dybala attempts to meet inside the penalty box, but he collides with Berisha who had emerged from his goal to claim it and the referee awards a free-kick to SPAL.
19′ CHANCE! Ronaldo arrives late into the box to meet Khedira’s floated delivery and manages to beat the SPAL defender to the ball, but his volleyed effort is pushed wide by Berisha who concedes a corner.
17′ Reca squares the ball inside to Sala just outside the Juventus area and he takes a touch which allows him to creates space for a shot, but he can only curl his effort wide of the right-hand post.
15′ Moncini plays the ball into Petagna just outside the box and the striker then takes a touch before launching a shot from range, but his 25-yard effort trails comfortably wide of the left-hand post.
13′ Khedira has a chance to bend a delivery into the box from the right flank and it almost reaches Ronaldo at the back post, but SPAL are able to make a late intervention to prevent what would have been a certain goal.
11′ Reca receives the ball on the left flank and he the squares an early delivery towards Petagna on the edge of the box, but he completely misses the ball when attempting a first-time effort and de Ligt is able to clear the danger for Juventus.
9′ CLOSE! Juventus mount another attack as Cuadrado is played the ball on the right-hand side of the box and he manages to find Khedira with his lofted delivery, but he flicks his header just wide of the left-hand post!
8′ Cuadrado dispossesses Reca on the right channel and drills a low pass towards Ramsey inside the box and the midfielder then lays the ball off to Ronaldo on his right, but he fizzes his effort straight at the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
6′ Rabiot collects the ball in midfield and drives at the SPAL defence from the left channel before trying his luck from range, but his powerful shot is deflected wide for a corner by Vicari.
4′ SPAL have a chance to whip a delivery into the box when de Ligt concedes the corner and Valdifiori manages to find Reca at the back post, but he fails to make a good connection with his volley and it trails wide of the left-hand post.
2′ Matuidi receives the ball on the left flank and cuts it inside to Rabiot who then attempts to slide a pass back down the channel to Matuidi, but he misreads the situation and it runs out for a SPAL goal-kick.
1′ The referee blows his whistle and Juventus get us underway!
The players have emerged from the tunnel and we are almost ready for kick-off at the Allianz Stadium.
SPAL won their first Serie A match against Juventus since 1957 in the reverse fixture last season, but Juventus have a strong home record against Semplici’s side. They have never lost against them on home soil, while they have come out victorious in each of SPAL’s last six trips to Turin.
Sarri makes four changes to the Juventus side with Buffon, Cuadrado, Matuidi and Ronaldo all entering the starting line-up. Giorgio Chiellini, Douglas Costa and Mattia De Sciglio are among those who remain injured, while Ronaldo’s return to the side is timely after he missed the Brescia match. Meanwhile, Semplici has made five changes to the SPAL side with Tomovic, Sala, Valdifiori, Julio and Moncini all coming in for the Serie A strugglers.
SUBS: Karlo Letica, Thiago Cionek, Damba Thiam, Sergio Floccari, Felipe, Paolo Cannistra, Gabriel Strefezza, Marko Jankovic, Alberto Paloschi.
SPAL (3-5-2): Etrit Berisha; Nenad Tomovic, Francesco Vicari, Jacopo Sala; Arkadiusz Reca, Alessandro Murgia, Simeone Missiroli, Mirko Valdifiori, Igor Julio; Andrea Petagna, Gabriele Moncini.
SUBS: Carlo Pinsoglio, Daniele Rugani, Merih Demiral, Wojciech Szczesny, Gonzalo Higuain, Federico Bernardeschi, Pietro Beruatto, Emre Can, Rodrigo Bentacur.
JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Juan Cuadrado, Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs de Ligt, Blaise Matuidi; Sami Khedira, Miralem Pjanic, Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot; Paulo Dybala, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, SPAL are struggling in the early stages of the season and have lost four of their first five Serie A matches. Leonardo Semplici’s side are entering their third straight season in the Italian top-flight, but they currently sit 19th in the table ahead of their meeting with Juventus. However, SPAL still displayed their ability to be competitive in the division this season when they secured a 2-1 victory over Lazio earlier this month.
Juventus are unbeaten in Serie A so far this season having collected 13 points from their first five games, but they currently sit second in the table behind Inter Milan. Maurizio Sarri’s side will be targeting their third consecutive win in this match after successes over Hellas Verona and Brescia during the past week, but they have not won any of their matches by more than one goal so far this term.
Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of this Serie A clash between Juventus and SPAL!
E. Can
Yellow Card