Torino 0-0 Juventus: Max Allegri's side miss chance to close up gap ...

A typically fiercely-fought Turin derby resulted in a goalless draw between Torino and Juventus.

In a Serie A match with few clear-cut chances, the visitors were left to rue Dusan Vlahovic's early profligacy.

He could only turn Federico Chiesa's cross against the post from close range and saw countryman Vanja Milinkovic-Savic deny him from point-blank range.

Torino had the better of the play after the break but saved the best chance for injury time when substitute Valentino Lazaro headed Karol Linetty's cross over the bar.

The result sees both sides stay put in Serie A, with Juventus remaining third and Torino ninth.

Massimo Allegri's four domestic doubles, and five Serie A titles in all during his first spell with the Bianconeri, place him in the upper echelon of Juventus coaches, behind those who achieved elite European success in Giovanni Trapattoni and Marcelo Lippi.

Allegri's return seems to be more like Trap's of the two. The legendary coach who won six titles and a European Cup in the Zoff, Scirea, Cabrini and Platini era could not do as well when he returned to the Delle Alpi in 1991, leading them to a sole Uefa Cup despite having the talents of Roberto Baggio to work with.

He left after three seasons and, under Lippi, with whom they won the Champions League. In his second spell Lippi did better winning consecutive titles and taking them to a Champions League final, despite losing Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid.

Allegri has far less to work with these days, with Chiesa the only player with the quality of these halcyon days or his own previous spell, but the 'never go back' mantra always pervades in football and is brought up by media and fans when things don't go as well as planned on any return.

Juventus are in an island of themselves between Milan in second and Bologna in third. Fine for most clubs but not a place their fans will accept to be.

There was no real outstanding display so the award goes to the player who did the most to ensure the scoreline stayed blank. His two fine saves were varied, the early one from Vlahovic coming quickly off his line to block, and then late on diving full-length to his left to push substitute Kenan Yildaz's low drive.

Torino: Milinkovic-Savic 8*; Tameze 6, Buongiorno 7, Rodriguez 6; Bellanova 7, Vlasic 6, Ricci 6, Linetty 7, Vojvoda 6; Sanabria 6, Zapata 6.

Subs: Okereke 6, Lazaro 5, Masina 6.

Juventus: Szczesny 7; Gatti 6, Bremer 6, Danilo 6; Cambiaso 6, McKennie 6, Locatelli 7, Rabiot 6, Kostic 6; Vlahovic 6, Chiesa 7.

Subs: Iling Junior 6, Yildiz 7, Sandro 6, Kean 6, Alcaraz.

9' OFF THE POST! Chiesa crosses the ball perfectly for Vlahovic but he can only strike the post when he surely had to score.

33' FINE SAVE FROM MILINKOVIC-SAVIC! Another great chance for Vlahovic as Cambiaso's cross finds him at the far post but the stopper spreads himself and diverts the goal-bound effort wide with his outstretched left leg.

47' JUVENTUS BREATHE SIGH OF RELIEF! A bad touch from Kostic sees the ball drop to Zapata in the box and the striker fires in the net but the goal is ruled out for a slight push from Bellanova on the Juventus wing back.

61' GREAT LEAP FROM SANABRIA! He leaps over Gatti to meet Bellanova's cross and force Szczesny to parry away.

75' GOOD STOP FROM MILINKOVIC-SAVIC! Torino leave themselves exposed on the break and their keeper is forced to make a good stop diving to his left to deny Yildiz's firm drive hit low towards the far post.

90+3' GREAT CHANCE FOR LAZARO! Linetty puts in a perfect cross from the left flank but Lazaro unmarked and seeing the ball all the way headed over the bar. In fact it seemed to come off his neck.