Paulo Dybala came on from the bench to score the winner as a lacklustre Juventus overcame Serie A strugglers Bologna 1-0 on Sunday. 

Despite putting in a below-par performance for much of the encounter, Juve took the lead when Dybala – whose long-term future in Turin is rumoured to be in doubt – slotted home from close range eight minutes after coming on. 

Dybala's effort came against the run of play, with Juve sparred by wasteful finishing and a superb block from Alex Sandro, who prevented Ibrahima Mbaye from putting Bologna ahead. 

However, Juve's strength in depth proved the difference as they became the first side in Serie A history to win at least 22 of their first 25 games of a season, with the result also a timely boost for boss Massimiliano Allegri after the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid in midweek. 

Bologna were unfortunate not to capitalise on their opponents' sluggish start – Federico Santander clipping over from close range before Nicola Sansone and Simone Edera shot wide. 

Santander should have done better with a strike that flashed wide just before the half-hour mark, and Federico Bernardeschi's curling effort almost made Bologna pay for their profligacy. 

Juve barely improved in attack after the interval and needed a fantastic last-ditch intervention from Alex Sandro to deny Mbaye from point-blank range.

Allergi turned to Dybala for inspiration and was swiftly rewarded for the positive change when the Argentine forward latched on to a loose ball and made no mistake with a composed first-time finish in the 67th minute.

Bologna rallied late on and Mattia Perin came to Juve's rescue in the closing minutes, tipping Sansone's dipping strike onto the woodwork to make sure his side kept a 14th clean sheet in Serie A this term.