Almost a chance on goal for SPAL! After dealing with the free-kick, the home side quickly break down the right flank on a counter-attack. Lazzari gets himself into a really good position out wide, but Bentancur is there to dispossess the marauding wing-back with a vital sliding tackle.
90' +4
Dybala is clumsily caught by Simic, resulting in a free-kick for Juventus over on the left flank. It's whipped in by Pjanic and sails towards the middle of the box, where, once again, SPAL are able to clear the danger.
90' +3
Juventus win themselves a corner over on the right flank after another determined piece of play from the Serie A leaders. It's flicked on at the near post by Sandro and almost picks out Higuain, but Cionek is just about able to clear the ball before it can find the striker in front of goal.
90' +2
L. Šimić enters the game and replaces F. Costa.
SPAL have made another defensive switch, with Simic coming on to replace Filippo Costa.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time. The SPAL supporters don't seem too pleased about that!
89'
S. Floccari enters the game and replaces M. Antenucci.
Antenucci receives a rousing round of applause from the home fans as he's replaced by Floccari.
88'
Huge opportunity for Sandro! For one of the first times this evening, a pocket of space appears inside the SPAL box. Sandro manages to quickly get a shot away after receiving the ball, but his low strike is slightly scuffed and safely finds the hands of Meret.
87'
It's just attack against defence at the minute, with Juventus throwing everything they've got at a hard-working SPAL side. The home side have every available player camped inside their own half of the pitch, where they're doing really well to keep the league leaders at bay.
85'
Éverton Luiz gets yellow.
He's only been on the pitch for a few minutes but Luiz has already been booked for a late, rash sliding challenge that left Barzagli in a heap on the floor.
84'
R. Bentancur enters the game and replaces B. Matuidi.
Lazzari, who has defended well this evening, denies Sandro a way past him out wide and knocks the ball behind for a corner. Dybala's cross into the box is a good one, but once again SPAL are easily able to deal with the danger thanks to impressive defending.
Minute
Description
83'
Juventus have made another change, with Matuidi making way for Bentancur.
82'
Éverton Luiz enters the game and replaces A. Paloschi.
Huge chance for Mandzukic! For the first time this evening, Douglas Costa uses his pace deep down the right flank before swinging a cross over to the far post. It brilliantly picks out Mandzukic, but the Croatian can't quite hit the target with his diving header and sends it wide of the goal.
SPAL have made their first substitution of the evening, with Everton Luiz coming on to replace Paloschi in an understandably defensive switch.
81'
A. Barzagli enters the game and replaces G. Chiellini.
Chiellini does indeed have to make way, and it's Barzagli who comes on to take his place.
80'
This doesn't look good for Chiellini, who is frantically gesturing to the Juventus bench that he needs to come off. He's been holding his hamstring for the last couple of minutes and looks to be moving gingerly.
79'
M. Pjanić gets yellow.
Pjanic certainly isn't happy with how things are going at the moment, and at the end of another lacklustre attacking move he's shown a yellow card for dissent after arguing with the referee.
77'
Juventus are starting to get frustrated as they try - and fail - to find a way through SPAL's compact back line. Sandro is the latest player to lose out while bombing forward, as he's penalised for a foul on Lazzari as they battle for the ball over on the left wing.
75'
Great play by Antenucci sets him up to dart into the left-hand side of the Juventus box on a wonderful run. He then tries to pick out Paloschi with a low pass across the face of goal, but it can't quite reach his strike partner and finds Rugani instead.
73'
Juventus patiently pass the ball around inside the SPAL half of the pitch as they desperately try to find an opening. Douglas Costa eventually fires a low cross into the penalty area, but it's a hopeful ball from the Brazilian and fails to find a team-mate.
71'
Sandro picks up the ball in a promising position out wide and quickly wins the visitors a corner with a deflected cross. Pjanic steps up and whips a cross into the heart of the penalty area, where several Juventus players rise high but can't quite latch onto the ball.
69'
Douglas Costa gets yellow.
A few minutes after being cynically fouled himself, Douglas Costa pulls off a cynical challenge of his own on Grassi to earn himself a yellow card.
68'
Juventus started the second half well and were starting to cause more problems for the SPAL defence, but over the last 10 minutes or so the sting has gone out of their attacks. As was the case in the first half, they're seeing plenty of the ball without doing much with it.
66'
F. Costa gets yellow.
Douglas Costa tries to quickly counter-attack down the right wing after Juventus regain possession, but he's cynically fouled from behind by Filippo Costa and his namesake receives a booking.
65'
Antenucci drifts out wide and links up nicely with Filippo Costa on the edge of the Juventus box. He then works the ball over to Schiattarella, who tries to send it back to the striker but can't quite guide it through a wall of yellow.
64'
M. Mandžukić enters the game and replaces K. Asamoah.
Juventus have made their first change of the game, and it's an understandably attacking one. Asamoah has made way for Mandzukic, meaning Sandro will drop back into defence.
62'
Sandro cuts inside from left wing and pokes a pass towards Pjanic, but it's poorly hit by the Brazilian and can only find a white and blue shirt. That rather sums up Juventus' attacking performance so far.
60'
P. Schiattarella gets yellow.
A SPAL attacking move breaks down and presents Juventus with a chance to counter-attack, but Dybala is immediately clattered into by Schiattarella and the midfielder picks up his customary yellow card.
58'
Higuain rushes through the SPAL defence as he tries to latch onto a long pass, but there's slightly too much power behind it and the striker can't quite get to the ball in front of goal.
56'
What a run by Chiellini! Nobody closes down the centre-back, allowing him to charge deep into the SPAL half of the pitch and towards the box. He then cuts a clever pass over to Dybala, who quickly shoots and sends a curling strike not far wide of the far post.
54'
After spending the first stages of the second half on the back foot, SPAL are finally able to burst forward on an attack of their own. They're unable to make it count, though, as Lazzari's cross in from the right wing is poor and sails behind for a goal-kick.
52'
Higuain breaks into the right-hand side of the SPAL box as Juventus push forward again, but he has to settle for a corner. It's one that's comfortably dealt with by the hosts, as Meret rushes out to punch the ball away from danger with a confident clearance.
50'
Chance for Douglas Costa! The home side aren't able to clear the danger from the edge of their own penalty area, allowing the Brazilian to get a shot away. It's well hit by the winger, but Meret is comfortably able to push the ball away with a decent diving save.
48'
A lofted pass is fired up towards the SPAL box and manages to pick out Higuain. The striker breaks into the penalty area and takes on Cionek, who does really well to poke the ball away from the Argentine and over to Filippo Costa.
46'
We're underway once again!
45'
Almost! After plenty of pushing and shoving inside the box, it's Dybala who eventually steps up and shoots. The Argentine's curling strike is a bit too high, though, and it beats the top of the crossbar by a yard or so.
43'
Dybala weaves his way towards the SPAL box on a purposeful run before eventually being tripped over by Vicari, resulting in a free-kick for Juventus in a dangerous position 25 yards away from goal. Can they make it count?
41'
A bit of space opens up for Antenucci, who quickly counter-attacks at the end of another disappointing Juventus move. He lacks the pace needed to beat Pjanic, however, and a rushed shot eventually bounces comfortably wide of its intended target.
39'
Juventus are seeing plenty of the ball but struggling to do much with it. Sandro is the latest player to burst deep into the hosts' half of the pitch as he tries to find a way into the penalty area, but he's closed down well by Lazzari and ends up fouling the wing-back as they tangle.
37'
The resulting corner is whipped into the middle of the box and cleared only as far as Asamoah. The full-back quickly shoots, but his rocket of a shot is overhit and sails high over the crossbar.
36'
Juventus desperately poke the ball around inside the SPAL penalty area as they try to find a way through on goal. It looks as if Dybala has managed to do so before having to leave the ball for Douglas Costa, who tees up Pjanic to unleash a thumping shot that's well blocked by Schiattarella.
34'
Another determined piece of play from Juventus looks as if it's going to result in a chance on goal, but once again SPAL have plenty of bodies back, and this time it's Dybala who's dispossessed on the edge of the box before he can spin and shoot.
32'
J. Kurtič gets yellow.
Asamoah is eventually able to get back to his feet, and once again he does Kurtic is shown the first yellow card of the game.
31'
Ouch! Asamoah breaks forward and is quickly clattered into by Kurtic, who catches the full-back with a high boot. It leaves the Ghanaian on the floor and in an understandable amount of discomfort.
29'
Vital interception by Chiellini! Filippo Costa bursts down the left flank on a quick run as SPAL try to hit Juventus on the break. He then fires a low cross into the penalty area and towards Paloschi, who attempts to latch onto the ball in front of goal but is beaten to it by Chiellini.
28'
Higuain picks up the ball just outside of the SPAL box at the end of a patient move and tries to break towards goal, but Cionek is easily able to out-muscle the striker and kick-start a counter-attack.
26'
Pjanic is fouled deep inside the SPAL half of the pitch, and Juventus are awarded a free-kick in a decent position. Rugani charges towards the ball and tries to latch onto Pjanic's cross, but once again the home side do really well to get to it first.
24'
Matuidi charges down the left flank and forces Schiattarella into poking the ball behind for a corner. Dybala's cross into the box is a decent one, but Cionek is there at the near post to easily beat every Juventus player to the ball.
22'
Pjanic skips away from his marker and works the ball out to Asamoah on the left wing. The full-back then tries to pick out Sandro with a quick cross into the penalty area, but there isn't enough power behind it and Cionek clears the ball.
20'
Antenucci is caught from behind by Matuidi and wins the home side a free-kick in a promising position. The cross into the box is slightly low, though, and once again Juventus are able to deal with the limited danger.
18'
Higuain darts through the SPAL back line and manages to latch onto a lofted pass from Asamoah, but the Argentine's forward run is slightly mistimed and he's flagged offside as soon as he receives the ball.
16'
Juventus patiently work the ball from one flank to the other as they try to find a way through on goal. Dybala is eventually left in a pocket of space and shoots, but his curling strike from just outside the penalty area fails to trouble Meret and sails wide.
14'
A long throw-in from Filippo Costa causes problems inside the Juventus penalty area, where the visitors aren't quite able to deal with the danger. The ball bounces out to Schiattarella, who goes close to setting up Antenucci in front of goal but misses the striker by the narrowest of margins.
12'
The resulting corner is just about dealt with by SPAL, but they can only clear the danger as far as Higuain. The striker then quickly shoots, but his 25-yard strike is comfortably saved by Meret.
11'
What a tackle by Filippo Costa! Douglas Costa sprints through the SPAL midfield as he heads towards the box. He then pokes a clever pass into the penalty area and towards Sandro, who quickly shoots but has his effort brilliantly blocked by the outstretched leg of Filippo Costa.
9'
It's been a really good start by SPAL, who are on the front foot and keeping Juventus camped deep inside their own half of the pitch. They're yet to carve out a chance on goal, though, as nowhere has managed to break down the sea of yellow card in front of them.
7'
Lazzari cuts inside from the right wing and fires a deflected cross behind for the first corner of the game. It's poorly executed, however, as a totally misplaced pass can only find Matuidi all alone on the edge of the penalty area.
5'
Paloschi breaks into the right-hand side of the visitors' box as they continue enjoy a decent start to the game. He spins quickly and tries to tee up Antenucci, but Rugani is there to beat the striker to the ball at the vital moment.
3'
Sandro dives into Lazzari and catches the wing-back on the top of the foot, resulting in a free-kick for SPAL midway inside the Juventus half of the pitch. They're unable to make the set-piece count, though, as Kurtic's header is poor and bounces out for a throw-in.
1'
We're off! Juventus get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of today’s Serie A game between SPAL and Juventus at the Stadio Paolo Mazza.
Tonight’s game is a hugely important one for both sides, but for very different reasons. For Juventus, it presents them with a great opportunity to open up a seven-point lead over fellow title challengers Napoli - one that could prove fatal for the Partenopei - while for SPAL, a draw is all they need to move back out of the relegation zone.
Disappointing back-to-back results for Napoli handed Juventus a chance to move to the top of the table, and it’s one they took with both hands. Straightforward victories against both Udinese and Atalanta mean Massimiliano Allegri’s men have now won their last 12 consecutive Serie A games, and it looks more than likely they’ll extend that excellent run here today.
With nine games to go after this, and with the Old Lady in such good form, victory this evening would keep Juventus firmly in pole position as we enter the final stretch of the season. It’s been a fascinating tussle between the reigning champions and an impressive Napoli side, but it now looks as the former are going to be able to successfully defend their crown. Anything could happen, though, and they can’t afford any slip-ups.
This season was always going to be a tough one for SPAL, who are featuring in Serie A for the first time in 49 years. Despite that, they’ve done well in their battle to avoid relegation, and a run of seven points from three games has moved them equal on points with the two teams above them. 19th-place Hellas Verona are fast-approaching, though, so every point really does count for the under-pressure Ferrarese outfit.
If October’s meeting between the two sides was anything to go by, it should be another relatively comfortable evening for Juventus. Four different scorers found the back of the net in their 4-1 demolition of the Biancazzurri in Turin, and they’re taking on a side that now has the third-worst defensive record in the league.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
SPAL XI (3-5-2): Alex Meret; Thiago Cionek, Francesco Vicari, Felipe; Manuel Lazzari, Alberto Grassi, Pasquele Schiattarella, Jasmin Kurtic, Filippo Costa; Alberto Paloschi, Mirco Antenucci.
Juventus substitutes: Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Barzagli, Mario Mandzukic, Benedikt Howedes, Wojciech Szczesny, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Stefano Sturaro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mattia Del Favero.
Juventus XI (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Buffon; Mattia De Sciglio, Daniele Rugani, Giorgio Chiellini, Kwadwo Asamoah; Miralem Pjanic, Blaise Matuidi; Douglas Costa, Paulo Dybala, Alex Sandro; Gonzalo Higuain.
Leonardo Semplici has decided to name an unchanged SPAL side to the one that started the 1-1 draw away to Sassuolo last weekend, with Paloschi and Antenucci once again leading the line.
Meanwhile, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has made three alterations to the team that featured against Atalanta during the week, with Lichtsteiner, Medhi Benatia and Mandzukic making way for De Sciglio, Rugani and Sandro, the latter of whom looks as if he’ll be operating as a left winger tonight.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: SPAL 0-0 JUVENTUS
SPAL may have the third-worst defensive record in Serie A but you wouldn't guess it based on that first-half performance. The Biancazzurri have defended really well to frustrate Juventus, who have bossed possession but struggled to break down their hard-working opponents. It's left Massimiliano Allegri scratching his head and in need of a Plan B.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: SPAL 0-0 JUVENTUS
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and the SPAL players and fans celebrate as if they've won! The Biancazzurri certainly were excellent from start to finish, and a thoroughly impressive defensive performance has earned them a much-needed point.
SPAL are the first side since Inter back in December to hold Juventus to a draw in Serie A, and it's denied the Old Lady a 13th consecutive league victory. They remain at the top of the table but will have their lead over Napoli cut to two points if the Partenopei beat Genoa tomorrow.
Commentary
More…