While helping to temporarily extend their lead at the top of Serie A to six points, Sassuolo's visit to Juventus Stadium on Friday evening also served as a timely reminder of just how far the hosts had come since the two sides last went head to head.
Running out 1-0 winners courtesy of Paulo Dybala's excellent strike, various members of the Bianconeri setup had reiterated the significance of their loss to the same opponent back in October, as Leonardo Bonucci explained to Mediaset Premium before kick-off.
"The last time we met Sassuolo it was a fundamental match, as from that moment onwards we returned to being the real Juventus," the defender said (h/t Football Italia).