Half-Time Report: Carlos Tevez nudges Juventus ahead against Genoa

Juventus hold a 1-0 half-time lead over Genoa in Serie A thanks to Carlos Tevez's 16th goal of the season.

However Massimiliano Allegri's side have frequently found themselves under pressure from a resolute Rossoblu side.

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Genoa inflicted Juve's only Serie A defeat of the season in October's reverse fixture at Stadio Luigi Ferraris, and Allegri's team could have been behind again early on.

It was Mbaye Niang who nearly did the damage when he capitalised on a mistake by Leonardo Bonucci and curled a 20-yard effort narrowly wide of goal inside the opening two minutes.

Juventus fans had their hearts in their mouths again when Diego Perotti took a tumble in the box under the challenge of Stephan Lichtsteiner, but referee Marco Di Bello spared the reigning champions and booked the Genoa man for simulation.

Still, it was Gian Piero Gasperini's side who were playing with the greater confidence, frequently forcing the Serie A leaders onto the back foot.

Perotti's dangerous ball had to be hacked away at the back post by Simone Padoin, with Maxime Lestienne lying in wait, but Juventus then took the lead against the run of play through Tevez.

The former Manchester City striker drove forward into the Genoa box and unleashed a venomous right-footed effort that beat Matia Perin off the underside of the bar.