Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus: Hosts dominant but Bianconeri retain unbeaten league run

Juventus played out an unconvincing 0-0 draw against Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Tuesday, a result that nevertheless extends the Italian champions' unbeaten run to 44 games.

A cat-and-mouse encounter saw the hosts control proceedings, with Stevan Jovetic hitting the woodwork in the first half as Fiorentina, despite superiority in the run of play, was unable to take what chances fell its way.

Juve displayed little interest in attacking throughout the match, and rode its luck at times to claim a fortunate point that extends its lead at the top of the Serie A table to three points over second-place Napoli.

Juventus’ first half display offered more evidence to their growing reputation as slow starters, with a pair of tame efforts from Sebastian Giovinco about the best they could muster.

The hosts seemed to have the edge in matters during the early exchanges, and saw a penalty appeal correctly go unanswered after Adem Ljajic was challenged inside the area by Leonardo Bonucci. Fiorentina was up in arms again 25 minutes into the game after Manuel Pasqual was felled in the area by Artuo Vidal, though replays suggested that the Chilean had gotten a touch on the ball first.

Fiorentina continued to hold the upper hand throughout the first period, but chances remained at a premium as Juve was able to pack numbers back in its own half. That all changed minutes before the break, however, as La Viola fashioned two clear-cut chances from which its really should have gone ahead.

First, David Pizarro whipped in a devilish freekick that Jovetic headed onto the crossbar from point-blank range. Then, Ljajic spurned an equally great opportunity, dragging a shot across the face of goal with only Gianluigi Buffon to beat after racing clear of Bonucci.