Reeling from their midweek UEFA Champions League exit to Benfica, there would be no first-half remedy for Juventus, whose stodgy build-up play provided few issues for the Lecce backline. The visitors did lead at the break, not in the goals scored column, but in yellow cards conceded. An astonishing four Juventus players entered referee Daniele Chiffi’s book during the first period - just under half of the Old Lady’s entire outfield contingent.
Juventus boss Allegri has been criticised for his passive set-up in recent weeks and despite a shift in approach after the interval, the visitors still lacked the required intensity to cause Lecce problems. There were chances for Juventus, albeit limited, with Filip Kostić forcing a comfortable save out of goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone, before Moise Kean’s downward header evaded the far-left post.
Instead, as was likely the case for a side bereft of ideas, it was a moment of individual brilliance from Fagioli that gave Juventus a breakthrough. Curling home via the inside post from 25 yards out, the 21-year-old’s first senior goal marked a rare moment of quality from an otherwise dismal Juventus performance.
In spite of their recent troubles, the Bianconeri have now won three conseucitve Serie A matches without conceding, a run that's keeping them in touch with the European places. Shipping just seven league goals all season is a total only bettered by Lazio's five, perhaps explaining why Lecce failed to register a single shot on target.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)
