8′ Benevento are awarded a free-kick and swing the ball into the box from the right flank. However, the hosts are alert to the delivery and clear without too many difficulties.
6′ The leading marksman in Serie A this season, Ronaldo recently broke Pele’s all-time record for goals in competitive matches after taking his tally to 770. He comes into today’s game fresh from his first hat-trick of the campaign in last week’s win at Cagliari.
4′ JUST WIDE! Moments later, Ronaldo has his first sight on goal at the other end. The ball breaks kindly in the box for Juve’s talisman, who drives a low shot inches wide of the far post.
3′ Slip from De Ligt! A nervy moment for the hosts as the centre-half slips with Lapadula breathing down his neck. Fortunately, Szczesny is alert and quickly steps in to avert any danger.
1′ Referee Rosario Abisso blows his whistle and Juve get the match underway.
The players are coming out onto the pitch and kick-off is fast approaching.
The form book would certainly make Juve the favourites here. The reigning champions have won four of their last five league games, while Benevento have lost three of their four most recent outings.
There are also three alterations by Filippo Inzaghi as he prepares to face his former club. Daam Foulon, Luca Caldriola and Gianluca Lapadula come into the starting 11, with Gianluca Caprari dropping to the bench. Kamil Glik and Pasquale Schiattarella are suspended, while Iago Falque, Gaetano Letizia and Fabio Depaoli miss out through injury.
Andrea Pirlo makes three changes to the side that began Juventus’ 3-1 win at Cagliari last weekend. Leonardo Bonucci, Federico Bernardeschi and Arthur return to the starting line-up, with Giorgio Chiellini dropping to the bench. Juan Cuadrado misses out through suspension, while Alex Sandro joins the likes of Paulo Dybala, Aaron Ramsey and Merih Demiral on the injury list.
SUBS: Nicola Manfredini, Christian Pastina, Andres Tello, Bryan Dabo, Roberto Insigne, Gianluca Caprari, Giuseppe Di Serio, Gabriele Moncini, Marco Sau, Igor Lucatelli.
BENEVENTO: Lorenzo Montipo, Daam Foulon, Alessandro Tuia, Luca Caldirola, Federico Barba, Riccardo Improta, Nicolas Viola, Perparim Hetemaj, Artur Ionita, Gianluca Lapadula, Adolfo Gaich.
SUBS: Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Di Pardo, Radu Dragusin, Gianluca Frabotta, Weston McKennie, Rodrigo Bentancur, Carlo Pinsoglio.
JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Wojciech Szczesny; Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs de Ligt, Federico Bernardeschi; Federico Chiesa, Adrien Rabiot, Arthur, Dejan Kulusevski; Alvaro Morata, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Bianconeri are aiming to move second in Serie A and close the gap on runaway leaders Inter to seven points. Meanwhile, their 16th-placed opponents are desperately seeking to end a run of 11 matches without a win.
Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of the Serie A showdown between Juventus and Benevento at the Allianz Stadium.
9′ Tuia receives the first yellow card of the game for a trip on Morata.