Juve's poor run continues in Torino draw, Bologna held

Juve have won only one of their last six league matches and slipped to third in Serie A. They are four points above fourth-placed Bologna who also drew 0-0, at home to Monza.

The Bianconeri have enjoyed an impressive run in the derby, having not lost to Torino in nine years. The last time Saturday's hosts even managed a draw was more than two years ago.

Juventus had a brilliant chance to take the lead in the seventh minute when Federico Chiesa whipped in a cross from the right for an unmarked Dusan Vlahovic but the striker's effort smashed off the left upright.

Vlahovic had another good opportunity later in the first half but Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic pulled off a great save to deny the Serbia striker with an outstretched foot.

Duvan Zapata had the ball in the net for Torino inside the opening minute of the second half but it was ruled out for a foul.

Torino again went close to breaking the deadlock on the hour mark but Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny did brilliantly to parry Antonio Sanabria's header.

Aiming to qualify for the Champions League for the first time, Bologna were left nervously looking over their shoulder after a second straight goalless draw.

The stalemate with Monza left fourth-placed Bologna just four points ahead of Roma, who visit relegation-threatened Udinese on Sunday.

Substitute Santiago Pierotti had an immediate impact as he helped Lecce snatch a 1-0 win over Empoli in a crucial relegation battle.

Pierotti was on the field for only seconds before the Argentine forward beat Empoli defender Sebastian Walukiewicz inside the area and rolled the ball across for Nicola Sansone to tap into an empty net for a last-minute winner.

Empoli had an early goal disallowed after VAR ruled goalkeeper Elia Caprile handled the ball outside the area just before he launched the attack from which Alberto Cerri put the ball in the net.

Lecce moved six points above the relegation zone while Empoli remain two points above the drop zone after their fifth loss in six matches.

Australian Associated Press