Juventus made it 11 wins in a row this afternoon by coming from behind to beat Cagliari Calcio 4-1, maintaining their eight-point lead at the top of the Serie A table.
Cagliari took a shock lead in the first half when Mauricio Pinilla fired the ball home from close range, but Fernando Llorente levelled things up for the champions 10 minutes later.
The two sides remained level until the 73rd minute, when a stunning Claudio Marchisio strike kicked off a period of three goals in seven minutes for the visitors, with Llorente getting a second and Stephan Lichtsteiner also scoring in that time.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts late on as Pinilla was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident with just two minutes of normal time left.
You can read how an eventful match unfolded with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Serie A encounter between Cagliari Calcio and Juventus. These are two of the league's form teams at the moment, so we should be in for an intriguing match in Sardinia.
We'll start, as ever, with a look at our hosts today. Cagliari come into this match on a fine run of form by their standards having not lost a single game since November 3. That run stretches back seven matches and has seen the club move into mid-table, seven points clear of the relegation zone and 11 behind the top five.
However, while they are undoubtedly a tough team to beat at the moment, Cagliari have had trouble pushing on to win games. During their seven-match unbeaten streak they have won just twice, drawing the other five. Drawing, indeed, has been a problem for them all season, and it is not surprising to see them lead the league in that respect. They have shared the spoils nine times, more than any other team in Serie A.
Cagliari's main problem has been a lack of goals. They have averaged just one goal a game this season, scoring 18 in 18 games, while they are yet to find the net more than twice in a match in the current campaign. Only the bottom five teams in Serie A have scored fewer goals than Diego Lopez's men.
At the other end of the pitch, things are better. They have conceded just 24 times this season, which is the second best record in the bottom half so far. Even more impressively, only three teams outside the league's top four can better that tally, so Calcio are certainly well placed defensively to maintain their mid-table spot, which they would be happy with.
Their home form is really what has pulled them through so far this season. Cagliari are yet to win on their travels, but at Stadio Sant'Elia they have only been beaten once all season, losing 3-0 to Bologna in something of a shock defeat. They have won four and drawn four of their nine matches in front of their own fans, amassing 16 of their 21 points at home.
They will not have welcomed a team like Juventus to Stadio Sant'Elia yet this season, however. It is hard to give too much praise to Antonio Conte's side at the moment as they sweep all before them in the league and look destined to retain their title. The magnificent 3-0 win over the previously unbeaten Roma in their last outing made it a perfect 10 for the Old Lady, and another three points today would see them break a new season record for consecutive wins, overtaking the 10 in a row that Roma enjoyed at the start of the campaign.
Unsurprisingly with a run of form like that, Juventus have shot to the top of the table and now lead the way by eight points, having dropped just five all season. It is impossible to argue that they don't deserve to lead the way either, with Conte's side amassing the most wins (16), the fewest draws(1) and the joint-fewest defeats (1). It is hard to see anyone stopping them right now.
In addition to those impressive statistics, Juventus also have the best attack in the league having netted 42 times in their 18 games. If there was any doubt as to how dangerous they can be up front, that was firmly put to bed when they scored three times against Roma, who boast the league's best defence .
They have scored an average of 2.6 goals per game during their run of 10-straight wins, but the most impressive part of that spell comes at the other end of the field. Juve have only conceded once in that time, and are now just one goal behind Roma when it comes to the best defensive record in the league this season.
The only real disappointment for Juventus so far this season has been their elimination from the Champions League. Their defeat at the hands of Galatasaray is their only one in their last 14 games in all competitions. However, out of disappointment comes opportunity, and the Italian champions are now amongst the favourites to go all the way and win the Europa League.
Away from home, Juventus are very strong. They have won their last four league games on their travels and, stretching back to last season, have picked up maximum points in 12 of their last 15. However, Fiorentina showed that Juventus can be beaten away from home, inflicting their last league defeat with a 4-2 triumph back in October.
It is worth noting that Juventus have not lost to Cagliari in the league in their last seven meetings. Cagliari did hold the champions to a 1-1 draw at the Juventus Stadium back in May, but the corresponding fixture last season ended 3-1 to Juve.
PREDICTION: Right, we're nearing kickoff in Italy, so it is time for my match prediction. Juventus have to go into this game as heavy favourites, but it won't be a walk in the park for them. Cagliari are in good form and are very hard to beat, particularly at home. However, the visitors seem to be a class above every other team in the league right now, so I'm going to have to go for an away win. I'll say 2-0 to Juventus.
CAGLIARI STARTING XI: Adan; Pisano, Rossettini, Astori, Murru; Dessene, Conti, Ekdal, Cossu; Pinilla, Sau
CAGLIARI SUBS: Avelar, Ibraimi, Cabrera, Ibarbo, Perico, Avramov, Del Fabro
JUVENTUS STARTING XI: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Llorente
JUVENTUS SUBS: Storari, Rubinho, Ogbonna, Peluso, Pepe, Padoin, Marchisio, Vucinic, Giovinco, Quagliarella
We're nearing kickoff now, and the home fans are looking understandably nervous ahead of this one. They have only seen their side score one goal in their last three games, and they are coming up against a side who have only conceded won in their last 10 games, all of which they have won.
KICKOFF: Juventus get us underway in front of a largely empty stadium due to safety concerns. Can they keep up their magnificent recent record, or will Cagliari maintain their their own unbeaten streak?
The first effort of the afternoon comes from the visitors as Tevez clips a cross into the box that Llorente gets on the end of. He gets a decent connection on his header, but it is straight at the keeper.
As expected, Juventus have taken control of the ball early on, and I don't think they are going to relinquish it too often. Cagliari are likely to spend the vast majority of their time defending today.
Diego Lopez said before this match that he would not sit back and play for a draw, but instead his side would attack the champions. That is a lot easier said than done, however, and they are struggling to get hold of the ball at the moment.
The ball falls to Pirlo on the edge of the box, but it is a rather tentative strike from the veteran midfielder as he drags a left-footed shot a few yards wide.
Juventus have their first corner of the day, but Pirlo's delivery is, for once, poor as it is cleared by the first man. Meanwhile, the camera pans to a certain David Moyes in the crowd. Perhaps he is scouting Marchisio, who is on the bench right now but has been linked with Manchester United.
Llorente gets a nasty knock as a Cagliari defender inadvertently stands on the back of his leg. That will be a painful one and the Spanish striker certainly felt it, but he should be fine to continue.
The Cagliari defence are holding firm so far. They have been very solid at the back all season and Juventus will certainly have a task in breaking them down, but the hosts' lack of attacking prowess should allow the champions to commit quite a few men forward.
Cagliari do make a rare foray forward, breaking quickly after a Juventus corner. However, the three Cagliari attackers can't get past the three Juventus defenders, and eventually a cross floats straight into the arms of Buffon.
Chiellini brings Pinilla down on the edge of the box, and Marco Guida checks for any advantage before awarding the free kick. This is a very good position for the hosts, can they make anything of it?
Conti lines up the free kick up slams it straight into the wall. The ball rebounds to Pisano, but he drags his shot wide via a deflection off his own man, who was offside anyway.
Nice football from Juventus down the right as Pirlo gives it to Tevez, who in turns slides the ball down the channel for Lichtsteiner. The winger gets a low cross into a decent area, but there aren't any black and white shirts in the immediate vicinity and the keeper can collect.
GOAL! Cagliari 1-0 Juventus (Mauricio Pinilla)
Cagliari have a shock lead against the champions! It is a set piece that makes the difference as a corner is played short to Cossu, who whips a dangerous ball into the box. Conti flicks it on to Pinilla, who slams it past Buffon at the back post. That is just the second goal that Juventus have conceded in their last 11 games.
YELLOW CARD! The first card of the match goes the way of Caceres, who slid in with a mis-timed challenge to bring his man down. Correct decision to book the Juventus defender.
CHANCE! The hosts have a big chance to double their lead! It comes from yet another corner from the same side, and again it is Conti who causes the problems. He loses Caceres and rises highest to plant a firm header just over the bar. Juventus are on the back foot at the moment.
The confidence is certainly high in this Cagliari side right now. Pinilla picks the ball up and immediately looks to get his shot away. His effort is not great, however, and it trickles tamely wide for a goal kick.
UPDATE: More bad news for Juventus as their two closest rivals - Roma and Napoli - have both taken the lead in their respective matches. Alessandro Florenzi scored for Roma, who lead Genoa 1-0, while Dries Mertens got Napoli's goal against Verona.
SAVE! Pinilla has another strike at goal from outside the box, but this one forces a decent stop from Buffon. It was bouncing, which made it awkward for the veteran keeper, but he was still able to push it wide.
GOAL! Cagliari 1-1 Juventus (Fernando Llorente)
Juventus are back level! Lichtsteiner hangs the ball into the middle of the area, and Llorente does the rest, planting a fine header into the top corner and giving the keeper no chance. Juventus had shown no response to going behind before then, so that is a big goal for Antonio Conte's side.
CHANCE! Cagliari almost regain the lead straight away! The ball is put into a good area in the box and Dessena throws himself at it, beating his man in the air to nod goalwards from close range. Buffon shows exactly why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers of all time, however, making a brilliant save with his leg to keep the scores level.
UPDATE: Roma have now doubled their lead against Genoa, and it is the evergreen Francesco Totti who has got the goal. What a player he has been for the club.
This has been a good response from Cagliari, who will be delighted with their performance in this match so far. After riding the early storm from Juve they have got themselves into the game and really look capable of scoring another.
I must say that I expected Juventus to test the Cagliari keeper more often. It is just Adan's second appearance for the club and he is their third choice keeper usually, but he has been given a very comfortable ride so far. To be fair, the rest of the home side deserve credit for that as they have held their own against the champions.
SAVE! Just as I say that, Adan is called into making a good stop. Vidal had the effort, drilling a low strike towards goal from the edge of the box, but Adan got down well to make a smart stop, holding onto the ball in the process.
Lichtsteiner puts a low cross into the box and it is just behind Tevez, who tries to wrap his foot around it and divert it goalwards. However, he can't quite get a hold of his shot and scuffs a tame effort easily into the arms of Adan.
CHANCE! Lichtsteiner will not want to see this one again! Asamoah makes his way down the left and pulls the ball back for his fellow winger on the far side of the box. Lichtsteiner has time to pick his spot, but he doesn't get his head over the ball and balloons it a long way over. Poor effort.
HALF TIME: Cagliari 1-1 Juventus
We've had two goals, but the referee chooses not to add any time on at the end of the first half, blowing right as the clock ticked over the 45 minutes. It has been an entertaining first half, and one that has certainly provided a few unexpected incidents. Cagliari will be delighted with their performance in the opening 45 minutes, but Juventus will also still be confident of going on to win this match.
It was the hosts who took a shock lead after Juventus failed to deal with a short corner that was eventually whipped into the box. Conti flicked the ball on for Pinilla, who fired in from close range having been left unmarked at the back post. The lead lasted 10 minutes before Juventus equalised courtesy of a fine header from Llorente, who put Lichtsteiner's cross into the top corner.
Juventus had another big chance to score right on the stroke of half time when Asamoah pulled the ball back for Lichtsteiner, who he blasted his effort well over the bar from a good position. However, those are the only two chances that the champions have really created so far in a match that they have not had all their own way. Conte will want his side to improve in the second half, but he will still be confident that they can win an 11th match in a row.
Cagliari, meanwhile, have had one or two clear chances in addition to the goal and could well have gone into the break in the lead. Conti had a good chance from another corner shortly after the opening goal, planting his header just over the bar, Dessena was denied by a fabulous Buffon save just moments after Juventus had equalised.
Buffon has also been called into action by Pinilla, who has not be shy of shooting from outside the box since opening the scoring for his side. That is indicative of the confidence shown by the hosts so far this afternoon, and they will be hoping for a similar performance in the second half. If they can produce one, they could well become the first team to take points off Juventus in the league since October.
Adan hasn't had much to do so far, which he will be pleased about. He is only playing today due to a contract dispute and injury to the club's first and second choice keepers respectively, so it is certainly a big ask for him to come up against a rampant Juventus side. He has had one save to make from Vidal, which he held on to well, but could do nothing about the goal and was not called into action for Lichtsteiner's chance.
UPDATE: There was another goal in Serie A just before the break, and it went the way of Roma once again. They are now 3-0 up against Genoa courtesy of a Maicon strike, which means that the gap at the top would be cut to six points as things stand.
KICKOFF: Cagliari get us back underway in this second half as they look to end Juventus' 10-match winning streak. Can they do it, or will the Juventus machine keep on rolling?
Juventus have started this half on top, controlling the tempo of the game in the opening exchanges. However, Cagliari won't be too worried about that as the first half began in a similar way, and that turned out quite well for the hosts.
Ludicrous dive from Pinilla as he runs into the back of Bonucci, who stands firm prompting the Cagliari striker to throw himself to the ground dramatically. The referee doesn't give a free kick, but he should have booked Pinilla for that, it was a ridiculous overreaction.
Pirlo tries something different from a corner, floating it out towards Vidal on the edge of the box. However, his intentions were read by the defence, who make a good interception to deny Vidal the chance for a mouth-watering volley.
UPDATE: Roma certainly aren't letting up in their match against Genoa. They now lead 4-0 thanks to Mehdi Benatia. I think it is now fair to say that Juventus need to win this match to keep their eight-point lead intact.
Handbags from both sides as about eight players get involved in an argument over whether a free kick should be taken from. It is just inside the Juventus half and they are probably moaning about a couple of yards, so it really isn't a worthwhile incident to risk getting booked over.
YELLOW CARD! Vidal makes a very good challenge on Cossu, who is not happy about it. He gets up and scythes his man down from behind before rightly being booked.
Tevez finds himself in a bit of space within shooting range, and sure enough he goes for goal. It is a dipping effort towards the near post, but Adan is well placed and makes a comfortable stop.
SAVE! Good football from Juventus as Tevez feeds the ball to Vidal before running into the middle for the return pass. Vidal duly provides it, picking out his teammate on the edge of the area, but Tevez's low strike was fairly comfortable for Adan to save.
Really good defending from Chiellini and he throws himself into a tackle to prevent a corner. He knows how dangerous the hosts can be from set pieces after what happened earlier in this match, so he is not willing to give them away easily.
Pirlo floats a diagonal ball over to Asamoah on the left side of the box, and the winger goes for goal first time with an ambitious volley. It would have been some goal if it went in, but as expected it flies a long way over the bar.
Almost a mix-up in the Juventus defence as Buffon comes a long way for a ball that Chiellini has under control. The Juventus defender is put off by his keeper and can only get a short clearance in, but Cagliari are unable to take advantage as Buffon is racing back to his goal.
CAGLIARI SUB: The hosts aren't parking the bus here by any means. They withdraw Sau and replace him with another striker as Victor Ibarbo trots onto the field.
JUVENTUS SUB: The visitors also make a change as Pirlo comes off to be replaced by Claudio Marchisio. Remember, David Moyes, who has been strongly linked with Marchisio, is in the stands today.
UPDATE: Atalanta have taken the lead against Catania thanks to a German Denis penalty, while Genoa's afternoon has gone from bad to worse as they are now down to 10 men while trailing Roma 4-0. Matuzalem was the man given his marching orders having picked up two yellow cards.
Poor from Vidal as he exchanges passes with Tevez from a corner before putting a horribly overhit cross into the area that his teammates can do nothing with. It isn't happening for the champions at the moment.
GOAL! Cagliari 1-2 Juventus (Claudio Marchisio)
My word, what a goal from Marchisio! Juventus needed something special to get ahead in this match, and they have got exactly that. The sub picks up the ball from a throw in around 30 yards from goal and absolutely hammers it into the corner. Adan perhaps could have done better as he got two hands to it, but take nothing away from the strike. Superb goal.
If Moyes is indeed here to watch Marchisio, then he will be putting this down as a worthwhile trip. It looked for a while as if he wouldn't even get on the pitch, but the sub has taken his chance in emphatic style with a wonder goal.
GOAL! Cagliari 1-3 Juventus (Fernando Llorente)
That is surely game over now as Juventus get a second in quick succession. Vidal slid the ball through to Lichtsteiner in the box, and he in turn played a low ball across the six yard box that Llorente tapped in at the back post. That is his second goal of the match, and he will not score an easier one this season.
CAGLIARI SUB: The visitors make the change that they were planning before that third goal as Matias Cabrera comes on in place of Pisano.
GOAL! Cagliari 1-4 Juventus (Stephan Lichtsteiner)
Oh it is all falling apart for Cagliari, who had done so well until about 10 minutes ago. Adan is at fault for this latest goal as he spills a rather tame Llorente effort, allowing Lichtsteiner to follow up and slide it into the empty net. That is well and truly game over now, and the champions will make it 11 wins in a row.
YELLOW CARD! Dessena was shown a yellow card in the immediate aftermath of that goal for complaining about Lichtsteiner's challenge on Adan to tap the ball in.
JUVENTUS SUB: Tevez's afternoon is over as he makes way to be replaced by Sebastian Giovinco.
CAGLIARI SUB: The hosts make their final change of the match as Ekdal is replaced by Gabriele Perico.
JUVENTUS SUB: Juventus also make their third and final change of the afternoon, withdrawing Vidal and bringing on Simone Padoin for the final five minutes or so.
It won't take a expert analyst to tell you that Juventus look set for yet another Serie A crown this season, but today's match is evidence of why they are such favourites. They have not been at their best yet have still managed to come from a goal behind to win this game.
RED CARD! Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari)
Things go from bad to worse for the hosts as they are reduced to 10 men in the closing stages. It is Pinilla who is shown a straight red, and he is furious about it. It seemed to be an off-the-ball comment from the Cagliari man that earned him a red, so keep an eye out for further information about that.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of two minutes added time.
FULL TIME: Cagliari 1-4 Juventus
The referee puts Cagliari out of their misery a couple of seconds early as he blows his final whistle to signal an 11th consecutive win for Juventus, who remain eight points clear at the top of Serie A. They certainly didn't have things all their own way throughout the match, but having not been at their best they still managed to come from behind and score four goals against a team that had lost just once at home all season before today. Can anyone stop them? It doesn't look like it at the moment.
The hosts took the lead midway through the first half and dared to dream to becoming the side that would end Juventus' streak of perfection. They looked capable of it too, missing a couple of good chances later in the first half. However, Llorente scored just after the half-hour mark to send the sides into the break all square, and Juventus then netted three times in seven second-half minutes to secure the victory. Cagliari were also reduced to 10 men late on, with goalscorer Pinilla being shown a straight red for an incident off the ball.
A 4-1 home defeat and a man sent off may appear like a day to forget for Cagliari, but for 70 minutes they played really well and were a match for the champions. There are plenty of positives for Diego Lopez to take out of his side's performance this afternoon, and he could well disregard the final 20 minutes, which saw his side capitulate. Not many teams have been able to match Juventus this season, but Cagliari did exactly that for much of the game this afternoon.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an action-packed match between Cagliari and leaders Juventus. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to check back in for the late Serie A game between Sassuolo and AC Milan later today. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
