Cristiano Ronaldo scored two superb headers as Juventus got back to winning ways with a 3-0 home victory over bottom club Crotone to keep the defending champions in the Serie A title race.
Following defeat to Napoli in the league and Porto in the Champions League, Juventus had been under scrutiny, but the defending champions eased to a comfortable victory to move up to third in the table.
Pirlo’s side are now eight points behind leaders Inter Milan but they still have a game advantage.
Despite dominating the majority of the first half, Juventus were made to wait until the 38th minute before a breakthrough came, with Ronaldo heading home an Alex Sandro cross.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner then got his second of the match by doubling the lead before half-time, this time powering home another header after Aaron Ramsey had put the ball into the box.
Weston McKennie added a third goal from close range after 66 minutes after Crotone failed to clear a corner.
