Juventus needs own goal to squeak past Palermo

Milan - Dani Alves' deflected strike kept Juventus top of Serie A as the Bianconeri warmed up for a Champions League clash at Dinamo Zagreb with a cagey 1-0 win at Palermo on Saturday.

Juventus travelled to Sicily looking to protect a one-point lead on Napoli, but with one eye on claiming a win in Croatia on Tuesday after a scoreless draw at home to Sevilla in the Group H opener.

Massimiliano Allegro rested Paulo Dybala in place of Mario Mandzukic, a choice that almost paid dividends when the Croatia international came close on several occasions.

But days after calling for the Turin giant to start "taking command" of games, the 49-year-old Allegri was perhaps left with more questions than answers.

After just 12 seconds Gonzalo Higuain latched on to Miralem Pjanic's ball to fire just wide of the upright as Juve looked to make a mark early on.

Minutes later, Pjanic's direct free kick from a tight angle had Palermo 'keeper Josip Posavec on his toes.

But Palermo was out to make life difficult, and ultimately succeeded during a first half that saw three players from each side earn cautions.

Higuain, looking for his fifth goal in six games, was tightly marked throughout.

When he squeezed between Haitam Aleesami and Giancarlo Gonzalez, only the latter's knee stood in the way of a strike that was sure to cause problems for Posavec.

From the corner, Mandzukic rose high above the Palermo defence but headed a yard over.

Juve suffered a brief scare when Higuain was left clutching his lower back and requiring treatment after falling heavily under a challenge by Posavec as the Argentine chased a long ball.

And Allegri was forced to review his gameplan when defender Daniele Rugani, starting in place of Giorgio Chiellini, was forced off with a knock on the half hour.

Attacking midfielder Juan Cuadrado replaced, Rugani but minutes later Juve was left frustrated again.

Juve should have done better on the counter when Higuain ran on to Mandzukic's smart backheel in midfield to set up Mario Lemina for a shot that Posavec parried, before his central defence headed to safety.

It was Juve's best collective play of the game, but epitomised the evening's underwhelming work.

On the stroke of half-time Posavec rushed out to thwart Higuain as he waited for Cuadrado's inswinger, Pjanic pouncing on the rebound to shoot straight at the 'keeper.

Juve started the second half brightly but it took a huge delection from Edoardo Goldaniga, who stuck his leg out to stop Alves' speculative shot from 30 yards out, for Juve to finally beat Posavec.