Andrea Barzagli had lamented his side's dismal start to the season before the Derby d'Italia earlier this month, declaring that defeat against Inter that evening would effectively kill off Juve's title aspirations. 

The Old Lady survived that night but it is difficult now, especially when one takes heed of the results elsewhere in Serie A this matchday, to take affront to the Italian's comments. 

Giorgio Chiellini saw red as Nicola Sansone consigned the Old Lady to her fourth defeat of the season with an expertly executed free-kick midway through the first period. The result leaves Juventus languishing in the lower reaches of the Serie A standings.

Visitors lose their way

It was a scrappy affair during the opening exchanges, with the visitors, fresh off the back of their comprehensive 2-0 victory over Atalanta, ceding both cheap possession and fouls in dangerous areas.

Sassuolo, in contrast, looked lively, circling possession with assurance and forcing the champions onto the back foot.

But it was the Old Lady who threatened first when Paulo Dybala’s routine set-piece delivery almost fizzled its way through as Gianluca Pegolo, deputising for the suspended Andrea Consigli, miscued his fist.

The referee, Andrea Gervasoni, was brandishing cards at will, however, and Mario Lemina’s caution on 18 minutes proved decisive. The Frenchman upended Nicola Sansone on the edge of the 18-yard area and from the subsequent free-kick the 24-year-old curled a sumptuous effort into the top corner to break the deadlock.

Juve’s response was muted but Dybala, who arrived into the game having contributed either a goal or an assist in each of his five Juve starts, was proving a menace. Paul Pogba then drew fingertips from Pegolo with a rasping effort from distance.

Alex Sandro’s forays into Sassuolo territory had been sparse throughout the opening half hour, but the Brazilian’s deliveries were posing a threat. Mario Mandzukic, a hitherto spectator, was unfortunate not to provide the final touch to the left-back’s centre on 32 minutes; thwarted by the ever-present Francesco Acerbi.

The slick surface, aided by the perpetual rainfall, may have been propitious for the Bianconeri beforehand but Dybala was left cursing mother nature after the ball slipped through his feet inside the danger area.

However, Juve’s hopes of mounting a comeback were dealt a serious blow when Giorgio Chiellini was dismissed for a challenge on Domenico Berardi shortly before the interval. The Italian had been admonished with the game merely four minutes old and, though the referee may have been guility of over-officiating, his second offence more than merited a caution.

Sustained dominance

No sooner had the second period begun did Juve fashions perhaps their most menacing chance so far. Mandzukic was denied by a last-ditch slide tackle from Cannavaro before teeing up Pogba on the edge of the area, though the Frenchman dragged his shot wide.

Juve, though, were in the ascendancy. Poga’s influence was growing while Alvaro Morata entered the fray just shy of the hour mark.

The Spaniard’s impact was felt almost instantly when he freed Juan Cuadrado down the right after some stout hold-up play. The Colombian may have fired straight at Pegolo, who was cautioned minutes earlier, but an equaliser seemed imminent.

A deluge of corners followed but the Seahorses’ dealt with many, if not all, of Dybala’s deliveries. Leonardo Bonucci rose highest on one occasions but failed to keep his header down.

Hosts teetering on the brink

The Old Lady continued to press forward but the final-ball remained conspicuously absent. 

Allegri sent for Simone Zaza as the game crept into its dying embers and the former Sassuolo talisman almost engendered an equaliser in his first involvement. Receiving possession at the byline, the Italian flashed a cross into the danger area but there were no takers. So too did fellow substitute, Hernanes, threaten the Sassuolo No.1 minutes after his introduction with a line drive from the edge of the penalty area.