Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says his players needed to be patient in their 2-0 home win against Empoli on Saturday night.
The Bianconeri kept their 14-point lead at the top of the table intact with Carlos Tevez again on target and Roberto Pereyra scoring in the dying minutes of the game.
"Empoli was coming from eight positive results, they play good football and give nothing away," Allegri said.
"The lads did well trying to stretch Empoli as much as they could. In the second half we failed to perform in the same way we did at the start of the game and had to rely on goalkeeper [Gianluigi] Buffon.
"As for the midfield, we did well in that department, it was the first time they played together so I'm satisfied with their performance.
"[Simone] Padoin did well, he's very aware tactically and a very intelligent player. Just look at his campaign; he played on the left, on the right, behind the strikers, as a holding midfielder, we're lucky to have him."
Asked to give an update on injured players, Allegri said:
"[Claudio] Marchisio will resume training with the group tomorrow [Sunday].
"[Andrea] Pirlo is responding exceptionally well to treatment and could be in the squad for Saturday's game [against Parma]. If not, he could be in the squad for the Monaco game.
"[Arturo] Vidal suffered a small ankle injury and [Alvaro] Morata will be assessed tomorrow morning."
