A lone Cristiano Ronaldo goal was enough for Juventus to overcome city rivals Torino 1-0 in the Turin Derby on Saturday.
Despite being off form, the Bianconeri No.7 bagged his 11th league goal of the season from the penalty spot, and also got Juventus’ 5000th Serie A strike.
The result leaves the Old Lady still unbeaten in domestic football this season, and 11 points clear at the top of Serie A.
Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, featured for the entire duration for the host but couldn’t stop the Portuguese talisman.
The Nigerian, on loan from Chelsea, has impressed in Italy.
An aggressive start from Torino saw them go straight for Juventus’ jugular, but the final ball was blocked more often than not.
It was Ronaldo though who came closest early on, with a rasping shot from distance going just wide.
Juventus’ dominance didn’t last too long though, as Torino found Andrea Belotti at the back post from a corner and his header back across goal was poked into Mattia Perin, who gathered at the second attempt.
The second half began with a looping Izzo header went just wide, before Belotti struck a vicious effort which Leonardo Bonucci deflected inches over the crossbar.
Things started to move the way of Juventus with Alex Sandro getting in behind the Toro backline, but a vital touch from Salvador Ichazo kept the Bianconeri at bay.
Then a short backpass from Simone Zaza put Ichazo in trouble and Mario Mandzukic managed to get to the ball before the goalkeeper, who then brought him down in the penalty area.
Ronaldo stepped up and powered home to give the away side the lead with 20 minutes left to play.
Moments later Mandzukic had the ball in the net once again, but it was ruled out for offside.
Torino had had the stuffing knocked out of them by this point and rarely threatened again in the match, which now leaves them with just one victory in 41 matches against Juve.
