Juventus Still on Track as Borussia Monchengladbach Claim First Point

Juventus remained on track to qualify for the Champions League last 16 despite being held to a scoreless draw by Borussia Monchengladbach in a one-sided Group D clash in Turin on Wednesday. (Click here for latest Football stories)

Last season's beaten finalists have defied their poor Serie A form with a sterling start to the group stages this season.

But after beating Manchester City (2-1) away and dominating Sevilla in a 2-0 win last time out, Massimiliano Allegri's Italian champions just could not find a way past Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer to clinch the win that would have given them an element of comfort ahead of their remaining three group games -- two of which are away from home.

The result leaves Juventus top of the group on seven points, but just one ahead of City after the English side's last-gasp 2-1 win over Sevilla.

For the second consecutive game, following a scoreless draw at Inter Milan on Sunday, Allegri was left fuming, slamming some players as "selfish".

"Tonight, I'm very angry. We have to do better in the final 30 metres of the pitch," said Allegri.

"If there's a teammate in a better position, we have to pass the ball to him.

"On paper, we created a lot of opportunities but not so many were clear scoring chances. Some players made the wrong choices because they were selfish."

Gladbach coach Andre Schubert had pledged his revived Bundesliga side would come to Turin determined to go for the win, but there was little evidence of his promise.

But the German -- who replaced Lucien Favre after his shock resignation in mid-September following five successive league defeats -- was unapologetic.

"It's great to be coach of this side and I'm proud of the fact we snatched our first point from Juventus," he said.

"We had a good grip on the match and tried to strike on the counter, but I'm not happy with our offensive game tonight.

"I don't know how our next games will go but what is important is how we play, not where we finish in the group."

Brazilian Raffael saw a speculative effort go wide in the opening minutes, but the visitors spent most of the remainder sitting back and stifling Juve's steady stream of attacks.

Allegri had used some of his pre-match conference to call on misfiring midfielder Paul Pogba to lift his flagging game, and the Frenchman responded positively.

Pogba produced a number of chances, mostly from distance, in either half but failed to break down a stubborn visitors' backline.

The 22-year-old said he had taken Allegri's advice on board but said he would not change the fundamentals of his game, telling Premium Sport: "I always listen to what Allegri says and I always give 100 percent on the pitch.

"I should always do what he says, but I also have to play football the way I know how. I have to be patient and maybe the goals will come."

Juve's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata had been bidding for his sixth consecutive goal in a Champions League game, having pulled level with the club record of Alessandro Del Piero last time out.

But when he intercepted Alvaro Dominguez to send himself on path to goal, Morata was hauled down by the defender, who was issued a yellow card.

Morata then saw a shot blocked at the back post after running on to Pogba's chip and Pogba saw another free kick effort stopped by Sommer.

Juve had late penalty claims waved away when Mandzukic fell as he tried to run past Dominguez and on to Sami Khedira's through ball.

Allegri's frustration grew and minutes later Mandzukic was replaced by Simone Zaza, while Morata later made way for Paulo Dybala.

Their arrivals injected some pace and vibrancy into Juve's attack, but were not sufficient to stop Gladbach from claiming a first point that could prove useful in the event they end up battling for a third place finish for which the reward is a place in the Europa League.