Juve stunned as Inter go second

This season’s Serie A title race is shaping up to be the most interesting in years and it took another turn yesterday when Juventus fell to a surprise 3-2 defeat at Sampdoria.

Inter Milan beat Atalanta 2-0 in the evening match to go second, two points ahead of six-time defending champions Juventus. Napoli, which beat AC Milan 2-1 on Saturday, are top with 35 points to Inter’s 33. Fourth-place Roma have 30 points with a game in hand.

Duvan Zapata, Lucas Torreira and Gian Marco Ferrari put Sampdoria 3-0 up in the second half before Juventus threatened an astonishing stoppage-time comeback with a penalty from Gonzalo Higuain and a strike from Paulo Dybala.

It will be a blow to Juve’s confidence ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona.

“Explaining this match is difficult, it’s a match which leaves you with your mouth open because we didn’t let them have almost any chances,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. “We played very well in the first half but if we didn’t score it means we weren’t good in finishing. Then we conceded a goal on their first chance, that’s also football.”

IMMENSE JOY

It was Marco Giampaolo’s first victory over Juventus as a coach.

“I’m very happy and I thank these lads for having given me this immense joy,” he said. “After 10 years I’ve finally beaten Juventus, I hope I won’t have to wait another 10 to beat it again.”

Sampdoria are sixth with 26 points, two points behind Lazio. Both have a game in hand.

Two headers from Mauro Icardi sent Inter into second spot. The Argentinian missed a couple of opportunities before opening the scoring in the 51st after he was left unmarked to head in Antonio Candreva’s free kick.

The Inter captain doubled his tally on the hour with a stooping header into the bottom left corner from Danilo D’Ambrosio’s cross.