Juve crash at Sampdoria as Buffon rested
Captain Gianluigi Buffon and defender Andrea Barzagli were rested by Juventus in the wakeof Italy’s World Cupexit as the Serie A champions lost 3-2 at Sampdoria on Sunday.
Juventus were three goals down heading into injury time after Colombian Duvan Zapata, Uruguayan Lucas Torreira and ItaliandefenderGianMarcoFerrari scored in the second half for the Genoa side.
Thesix-timereigningchampionsgottwobackinstoppagetime with Gonzalo Higuain scoring from the spot and substitute Paulo Dybala grabbing a second just before the final whistle.
ButJuventusfelltothird position four points behind leaders Napoli -- 2-1 winners over AC Milan on Saturday -- with Inter Milanmovingsecondthankstoa Mauro Icardi brace in a 2-0 win over Atalanta.
Napoli have 35 points from 13 games,twopointsaheadofInter, with Juventus on 31 and Roma fouthapointbackwithagamein hand,afterbeatingLazioinapulsating Rome derby on Saturday.
“This was an unexpected slap in the face,” said Juventuscoach Massimiliano Allegri.
“Today’s game is one of those that happen once in a year, it’s a difficultgametoexplainandthat leaves you a bit gobsmacked.
“Weshouldhavebeenpatient, even if things weren’t going our way.It’salonggame,youhaveto stay calm.”
The Turin side had the better chances early on with a Higuain shot deflected wide and Mario Mandzukic and Juan Cuadrado forcingsaves.Sampdoria’smovie producerpresidentMassimoFerrero likened the victory to that of “a Fiat 500 over a Ferrari”.
“Mr Buffon said that other teamstendtogetoutofthewayof Juventus, well today he and his Juventus got out of our way.”
Allegri tookarisk as herested goalkeeper Buffon and defender Barzagli withDybalastarting on thebenchagainstasidewhohave made their home ground a fortress this season.
“Buffon and Barzagli are getting over the (World Cup) disappointment,” explained Allegri.
“After 15 days with the national team with enormous pressure, it’s just right to rest.
“It’s football, it’s another drama, an extraordinary event that has unfortunately left Italy out of the World Cup, but we know how to get up and start again.”
Sampdoria kept Juventus pinned back in the first half with Zapata breaking the deadlock when he headed in after a FedericoBernardeschierroron52minutes, with Torreira firing in the secondon71minutesandFerrari a third eight minutes later.
MILAN: