Juve stay top after stalemate

Fiorentina gave Juventus a stern test of their unbeaten record, which stretches over a season, but the Bianconeri held on to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi which keeps them at the top of Serie A.

The Viola had several penalty appeals turned down in the first half and Stevan Jovetic rattled the crossbar with a header as Juve were put to the test.

Fiorentina had the best chances in the second half too, but were unable to find a way past the defending champions, who defend their place at the top of the table until at least the weekend.

Adam Ljajic was involved in most of the Viola's attacks in the first half, and he wanted a penalty on two occasions when he went to ground inside the penalty area - but he was given a dressing down by the referee each time.

Ljajic only had himself to blame for not giving the home team the lead in the 41st minute when he dragged his shot wide of the post with only Gianluigi Buffon to beat.

Only seconds earlier, Jovetic beat Buffon with a header, but the crossbar kept the ball out.

Fiorentina held the upper hand in the second half too with Juan Cuadrado going the closest to breaking the deadlock in the 73rd minute with a low shot which was just inches wide of the left-hand upright.

Full-back Manuel Pasqual headed wide in the 81st minute before Buffon touched a speculative shot behind for a corner.

Luca Toni was sent on as a late gamble by Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella, but the former Juve man did not have the key to the Juve defence either as the Tuscan side had to settle for a point.