Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring.
AFP/Turin
French midfielder Paul Pogba struck late as Serie A leaders Juventus boosted their bid for a fourth consecutive title with a 1-0 win over Sassuolo that stretched their their lead over Roma to 11 points on Monday.
Juventus looked to be heading for their first scoreless draw at home this season after being frustrated by Sassuolo’s defensive tactics throughout an intense encounter in Turin.
But Pogba saved the Italian champions’ blushes in the 82nd minute when he latched on to Simone Pepe’s perfect delivery to beat Andrea Consigli with a dipping half-volley inside the ’keeper’s near post.
Juve’s 18th win of the campaign took their lead over misfiring Roma to 11 points with 12 games remaining.
But Pogba was quick to play down his role, telling Sky Sport: “I don’t feel like the one who’s decided the title. We won a difficult game that is important for our title chances.”
Roma, who suffered their eighth draw in nine games in Sunday’s stalemate at Chievo, now look out of the title race and with Lazio and Napoli only four points adrift, they will be concerned about their chances of holding on to the league’s second automatic Champions League spot.
But Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said nothing is won yet, telling Sky Sport: “Things are purring along but there there are still plenty of games to play.
“Winning the title is our main objective this season and the Champions League is a dream.”
Allegri left Spaniard Fernando Llorente on the bench with Alvaro Morata partnering Carlos Tevez up front.
But both strikers were frustrated throughout as Sassuolo’s defence, and ‘keeper Consigli battled to keep a clean sheet.
Tevez fired just over from Morata’s cutback amid a crowd of players on 21 minutes and after Giorgio Chiellini headed over the bar from a corner, the Argentinian saw a long-range snap shot punched out by Consigli.
Pogba came close minutes after the restart when he pounced on a poor clearance to slam a daisycutter towards goal that Consigli had covered at his near post.
