A QUICKFIRE BRACE from Giovanni Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, opened up the Serie A title race today as Genoa claimed a stunning 3-1 win over leaders Juventus.
Juve’s third defeat of a season in which they are hoping to secure a record sixth consecutive ‘scudetto’ left the Turin giants just four points ahead of on-form AC Milan, with several other challengers close behind.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted the defeat was a blow in a game that saw Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves added to the club’s lengthy injury list.
“It’s a blow and has brought us back to earth with a bump,” said Allegri. “I’m angry, but no team is capable of winning all the time.”
Juventus travelled to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium without a number of key players, with forwards Paulo Dybala and Marko Pjaca and defender Andrea Barzagli notably all in the treatment room.
With Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain in the same straits due to a muscle problem, Allegri was forced to play Juan Cuadrado up front alongside Mario Mandzukic.
Genoa sensed an upset, and were 2-0 up by the 13th minute thanks to a fine Simeone double.
“We’re delighted to have beaten the strongest team in Italy, it gives you a special kind of satisfaction,” said Genoa coach Ivan Juric.
“We had a great game and everyone was completely focused. I want us to kick on from this and have more confidence in ourselves.”
For the opener, Lichtsteiner was outfoxed by Diego Laxalt in midfield and the fleet-footed Uruguayan motored away to set up Luca Rigoni for a drive that Gianluigi Buffon did well to parry.
But Lucas Ocampos was quick to the rebound and when Buffon stopped the ball again, Simeone pounced to beat the keeper at the second time of asking.
When Simeone was left unmarked on the edge of the box by Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia, it left the 21-year-old Argentine free to get down low and direct a diving header past Buffon, although Darko Lazovic deserved plenty of credit for turning Alex Sandro inside out prior to the cross.
Genoa were looking dangerous every time they moved upfield, and a nervous Juve conceded a third before the half-hour.
A chaotic corner was knocked down for Rigoni to fire a volley goalwards and when Alex Sandro attempted a clearance, the Brazilian only managed to shin the ball over the line and into the roof of his own net.
Juve avoided a total whitewash when Miralem Pjanic stepped up to curl a superb free-kick past Mattia Perin eight minutes from the end.
Juventus have since announced that Alves suffered a serious leg break during the 3-1 loss.
The former Barcelona full-back was carried off on a stretcher with 14 minutes left to play at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, after hurting himself following a clumsy challenge on Lucas Ocampos.
Tests have now revealed that he has sustained a compound fracture and is therefore likely to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with further examinations set to take place tomorrow.
“The first assessments carried in hospital have revealed a compound fracture of the fibula of his left leg, which will be re-evaluated tomorrow [Monday],” a Juventus statement confirmed.
Leonardo Bonucci is also set for tests back in Turin after he picked up a thigh muscle injury in the shock defeat.
“With regard to Leonardo Bonucci, a strain to the left thigh was detected, which will also be reassessed,” the club said.
