The Malta Independent on Sunday
Juventus beat 9-man Chievo to take sole leadership
Juventus eventually earned a 20 victory after Chievo went down to nine men for two utterly bizarre red cards for Samuel Bastien and Fabrizio Cacciatore.
Chievo were reduced to 10 men thanks to two moments of sheer stupidity from Samuel Bastien. He was booked for jumping with elbow raised on Kwadwo Asamoah, then two minutes later blatantly reached over to drag the same player back by the collar right in front of the referee. The second yellow card was simply inevitable.
Stefano Sorrentino was alert to smother a Sami Khedira scorcher and when Mandzukic swung his boot at a Douglas Costa cross, but Chievo also lost Nenad Tomovic to injury.
Federico Bernardeschi came off the bench and was caught in possession by Jaroszynski for a cross that saw Cacciatore’s header blocked by Wojciech Szczesny.
However, Cacciatore fell awkwardly during that move under pressure from Asamoah and protested to the referee when play wasn’t stopped, allowing a Juve counter. The referee told Cacciatore to leave the field and the fullback did so only after complaining and making a handcuffs gesture in the style of Jose Mourinho. This infuriated the official, who sent him off with a straight red card.
Chievo were down to nine men and eventually capitulated, as Mandzukic got out the way of Bernardeschi’s pull-back to allow on-rushing Khedira to drill home from 12 yards.
Serie A
Yesterday
Yet the Flying Donkeys almost equalised when Birsa’s inspired long ball found Ivan Radovanovic, but Szczesny came tearing out to intercept the attempted lob.
Juventus finally added a second late on, as Higuain peeled away from defenders to nod in a Douglas Costa cross at the back post, ending his goal drought.
Atalanta eased past Sassuolo 3-0 in Serie A yesterday to move up to seventh in the standings, a point outside the Europa League qualifying berths.
Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli was at fault for the opening goal as he flapped at a free kick which was crossed in from the left and Andrea Masiello
Serie B
Yesterday headed into an empty net.
Matteo Politano almost leveled at the start of the second half but his effort crashed off the left upright.
Bryan Cristante thought he doubled Atalanta's lead in the 64th but it was ruled out on video review for offside.
Cristante did get on the scoresheet seven minutes from time.
Shortly after, VAR was used again, but this time to Atalanta's benefit, as Remo Freuler's goal was awarded after it was initially ruled out by the linesman.
Sassuolo defender Edoardo Goldaniga was sent off following a second yellow card in stoppage time to complete the home side's misery.
Lega Pro A
Today