Juve put up tough fight but end up a goal short

Milan, Nov. 20: Captain Gianluigi Buffon and defender Andrea Barzagli were rested by Juventus in the wake of Italy’s World Cup exit as the Serie ‘A’ champions lost 2-3 at Sampdoria on Sunday.

Juventus were three goals down heading into injury time after Colombian Duvan Zapata, Uruguayan Lucas Torreira and Italian defender Gian Marco Ferrari scored in the second half for the Genoa side.

The six-time reigning champions got two back in stoppage time with Gonzalo Higuain scoring from the spot and substitute Paulo Dybala grabbing a second just before the final whistle.

But Juventus fell to third position four points behind leaders Napoli — 2-1 winners over AC Milan on Saturday — with Inter Milan moving second thanks to a Mauro Icardi brace in a 2-0 win over Atalanta.

Napoli have 35 points from 13 games, two points ahead of Inter, with Juventus on 31 and Roma fouth a point back with a game in hand, after beating Lazio in a pulsating Rome derby on Saturday.

“We should have been patient, even if things weren’t going our way. It’s a long game, you have to stay calm,” said Juventus coach.

The Turin side had the better chances early on with a Higuain shot deflected wide and Mario Mandzukic and Juan Cuadrado forcing saves.

Sampdoria’s movie producer president Massimo Ferrero likened the victory to that of “a Fiat 500 over a Ferrari”.

Juventus were three goals down heading into injury time after Colombian Duvan Zapata, Uruguayan Lucas Torreira and Italy’s Gian Marco Ferrari scored in the second half for the Genoa side

— AFP