MILAN (AFP) - Juventus slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly SPAL on Saturday (April 13) to put their Serie A title celebrations on hold, while Franck Kessie scored from the spot to keep AC Milan in the Champions League places with a 1-0 win over Lazio.
Massimiliano Allegri's side had needed just a point to claim their eighth Scudetto in a row with a record six games to spare, and they looked on track to seal the title when young gun Moise Kean stuck his foot out to direct a Joao Cancelo effort home after half an hour in Ferrara.
However, Kevin Bonifazi and Sergio Floccari responded with two precious second-half goals which moved lowly SPAL seven points clear of the relegation zone.
"Making records is very difficult, it takes energy and there is also Europe to concentrate on," said Allegri, who rested key players including Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final decider against Ajax in Turin.
"If we had put all our regulars in it would have been easier to win it, but there is also the goal to obtain on Tuesday."
Juventus have a 20-point advantage on second-placed Napoli and can still seal the title in record time on Sunday if Carlo Ancelotti's side fail to win at bottom club Chievo.
Ronaldo was rested for the second time this season and the club fell to just their second defeat of the campaign.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner returned from a thigh injury during the week to score an away goal in the first leg of their tie with against Ajax, which ended 1-1 on Wednesday.
Defender Leonardo Bonucci was also rested along with Blaise Matuidi, Alex Sandro, Mario Mandzukic and Miralem Pjanic, with forward Federico Bernardeschi coming off the bench late in the game.
Mattia Perin replaced Wojciech Szczesny in the Juventus goal with Kean getting his second start alongside Paulo Dybala up front.
Seventeen-year-old defender Paolo Gozzi and midfielder Grigoris Kastanos, 21, were given their first starts.
"We paid a little for our inexperience," said Allegri. "We played with a lot of youngsters. I regret this defeat because I think the match deserved more a draw than a loss."
Kean broke the deadlock when he redirected a tame Cancelo drive, thrusting out his right boot to turn the ball beyond Emiliano Viviano.
The Italy international became the youngest player to score in four consecutive Serie A matches, having scored six in as many games, and played in just eight this season.
But Bonifazi pulled SPAL level three minutes after the break when he connected with a corner to head past Perin.
Floccari fired in the winner on 74 minutes, prompting Allegri to send on Bernardeschi to try and salvage a point.
But SPAL held on to move up to 13th after a fine run of recent form that has seen them win four of their last five and beat Champions League-chasing Lazio and Roma and now runaway leaders Juve.
It was just the second time that SPAL have beaten Juventus, with the last time back in 1957.
ROMA 'MIRACLE'
The battle for Europe remains tight with Kessie's penalty after 79 minutes ending Milan's four-match winless run as they moved back into fourth.
Claudio Ranieri's Roma had temporarily moved into the Champions League places with Edin Dzeko scoring the only goal against Udinese.
But Milan are now one point clear of Roma with Lazio dropping to eighth, six points off the elite European places, but with a game in hand.
In heavy rain in Rome, Dzeko scored his first home league goal in nearly a year.
The Bosnian connected with a Stephan El Shaarawy cross to finish off from close range.
"For the season we've had it's already a miracle that we're here," said Dzeko of their Champions League challenge. "Now that we're there, we have to play every game the way we did in this second half (Saturday)."
Champions League contenders Torino and Atalanta host Cagliari and Empoli on Sunday and Monday respectively.
TEAM NEWS: Reds retain Kerevi, warned of Shark attack if defence doesn't improve 17 Apr 2019 Super Rugby reds captain Samu Kerevi has been named to face the Sharks despite speculation he would be
Reds: ok to attack or not? : X4Foundations - reddit.com
British crash investigators have launched an underwater operation to recover a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying Argentine UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane.
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane
Long live football! The Premier League returns to reign over Europe MARCA; Football: Jurgen Klopp fires up Liverpool with 'It's only pain' motto, Pep Guardiola urges City to 'be precise' The
City will pounce if Liverpool slip up: Guardiola
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful that Anthony Martial will be available to face Wolves after the forward went off injured in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Watford. Martial found the net with a
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits 'feeling in dressing room like a
BOSTON -- Kyrie Irving offered a simple message to science teachers Monday. "I'm sorry," the Boston Celtics star said. And with that, Irving made clear that he regrets publicly saying the Earth is
Girl's Day drop sexy MV teaser for "Ring My Bell" - Koreaboo
LONDON • Regardless of claiming that Tottenham's English Premier League title hopes are over, Mauricio Pochettino believes his gamers will nonetheless be motivated to offer their greatest shot after they host Arsenal at Wembley at present.
Coventry: U23s extra motivated for London Stadium Arsenal
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs. Manchester City swept back to the top of the Premier League as Gabriel Jesus but Jurgen Klopp's team can regain top spot if they
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs
'Monday night football' comes to the Emirates Stadium tonight as Arsenal , in search of their 10th successive league home win 2015 Arsenal Aston Villa 4-0. 2014 Arsenal Hull City 3 - 2 aet. C Palace 2 - 3 Arsenal - Match Report & Highlights Crystal Palace 2 - 3 Arsenal : Alexis Sanchez scores twice for Gunners. By James Walker-Roberts.
Palace punish sloppy Arsenal in 3-2 win at the Emirates
How Reds learned from Man City - and what Klopp said after defeat Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now "When you lose games you analyse them more than when you
Not just the people at Groningen. Every big club in Holland. Ajax's run to the 2017 Europa League final and to the Champions League semi's this year saw a clutch of young stars come to the
Justin Kluivert: The Ajax kid who will be king - goal.com
Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet Fulham's Joe Bryan in action with Newcastle United's Kenedy. Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Soccer: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
Football: Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky FA Cup trip to Newport Guardiola (above) has urged his players to adapt to a battered playing surface at Rodney Parade. PHOTO: REUTERS
Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to Newport
0 comments:
Post a Comment