Just when it seemed Juventus was going to run away with the Serie A title, the Bianconeri were held to a surprise 0-0 draw at Spal on Saturday.
The result ended Juventus' run of 12 straight wins in the league as it chases an unprecedented seventh consecutive crown.
Juventus is five points ahead of second-place Napoli, which hosts Genoa on Sunday. Spal stretched its unbeaten streak to four games to move one point above the relegation zone.
Juve created several chances but failed to find the target at Stadio Paolo Mazza.
Spal's Felipe Dal Bello, left, and Juventus' Douglas Costa fight for the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Spal and Juventus, at the Paolo Mazza Stadium in Ferrara, northern Italy, Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Elisabetta Baracchi/ANSA via AP)
An early effort from Alex Sandro inside the area was blocked by Filippo Costa's last-gasp deflection.
After the break a long pass from Mattia De Sciglio set up Gonzalo Higuain inside the area but he, too, was thwarted by Spal's defense, with Thiago Cionek intervening.
Minutes later Giorgio Chiellini dribbled from one end of the pitch to the other before crossing to Paulo Dybala, whose shot went narrowly wide.
Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri brought on Mario Mandzukic as an extra forward and the Croatia international almost struck with a header in the 81st minute.
A visibly frustrated Allegri left the touchline for the changing room before the final whistle.
Udinese's Caetano Samir, left, and Sassuolo's Luca Mazzitelli jump for the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Udinese and Sassuolo, at the Friuli stadium of Udine, northern Italy, Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Stefano Lancia/ANSA via AP)
BREATHING ROOM
Sassuolo took a big step away from the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at Udinese, its first victory since December.
Stefano Sensi featured in both Sassuolo strikes, first with a corner that went in for an own goal off Udinese midfielder Kadhim Ali Adnan.
Udinese's Mohamed Seko Fofana, center, celebrates with his teammates after he scored during a Serie A soccer match between Udinese and Sassuolo, at the Friuli stadium of Udine, northern Italy, Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Stefano Lancia/ANSA via AP)
Seko Fofana equalized with a fine long-range shot before Sensi restored the advantage midway through the second half.
Five of Fofana's seven Serie A goals have come from outside the area.
Sassuolo is 14th, three points above the drop zone. Udinese remained 11th.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2GCTRF1
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