Juve get a ‘slap in the face’

ROME: 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 3-2 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 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.

“This was an unexpected slap in the face,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

“Today’s game is one of those that happen once in a year, it’s a difficult game to explain and that leaves you a bit gobsmacked.

“We should have been patient, even if things weren’t going our way.”

He added: “Buffon and Barzagli are getting over the [World Cup] disappointment. After 15 days with the national team with enormous pressure, it’s just right to rest. It’s football, it’s another drama.”

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

“Mr Buffon said that other teams tend to get out of the way of Juventus, well today he and his Juventus got out of our way.”