FLORENCE, Italy: A second-half header from French midfield sensation Paul Pogba secured a 1-0 derby win for Juventus at Torino yesterday to send the champions up to second place in Italy’s Serie A.
Juventus’s fifth win in six games leaves them level on 16 points with leaders Napoli but second due to inferior goal difference.
Inter Milan were seven minutes from also going on to 16 points when Argentine striker Mauro Icardi gave them a 1-0 second half lead at Cagliari before Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan levelled for the home side in a 1-1 draw.
The result keeps Inter fourth on 14 points, two back of Napoli and Juventus.
AS Roma, however, who began the weekend with a two-point cushion on their pursuers, will restore that lead with a win against Bologna at the Olympic Stadium.
Juventus had several chances to put the match beyond the reach of Torino, but had to rely on Pogba’s header in the 54th minute.
The French midfielder, signed on a free transfer from Manchester United prior to last season, found himself in the right place at the right time when a corner came flying in from the right.
Carlos Tevez rose to meet the ball and after his glancing header came off fellow striker Sebastian Giovinco, Pogba was on hand to nod the ball into the net past goalkeeper Daniele Padelli.
Juventus, who face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, should have scored more in a dominant second half when Tevez proved a constant threat.
The Argentinian striker hit a superb first-time strike which brought a great diving save from Padelli.AFP
