It was far from an assured performance, but Juventus finally, on their fifth attempt, got the result they desperately needed: a win.
Earlier today, the Bianconeri traveled to face Spezia. Up until then, Massimiliano Allegri's side had picked up just two points from their first four games, matching a rather unwanted record from the 1960's. Indeed, it's been 60 years since Juventus failed to win their first four matches, and the pressure was on Allegri to get things right to avoid them making history for all the wrong reasons.
Meanwhile, Spezia, who are in their sophomore term in Italian football's top flight, were seeking to make it two wins on the spin. Thiago Motta's men had ended their own winless run by beating Venezia 2-1, and despite being the underdogs, hoped to take advantage of Juve's less-than-impressive form to spring an upset.
Goals from Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Gyasi and teenager Janis Antiste had Spezia, for a while, at least, feeling that they just may have done enough to pull this tough mission off and had Juve fans in a panic that they may be staring down the barrel of yet another bad result.
However, Federico Chiesa, now back from injury, turned things around with his goal, paving the way for Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt to secure all three points shortly after.
And now, with their first - and much awaited - win finally in hand, Juventus will look to begin clawing their way up the table when they take on Sampdoria this weekend.
