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Juve score in the last minute to hold on to top spot

Juventus' David Trezeguet, left, shoots to score past Cagliari goalkeeper Marco Fortin during their Italian Serie A soccer match in Cagliari, Italy, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

A last minute goal from Giorgio Chiellini earned Juventus a 3-2 win at Cagliari and allowed the disgraced former champions to hold on to top spot in Serie A on Sunday.

Juve are back in the top flight after romping to the Serie B title last season following their demotion, and points deduction, for match-fixing. They were also stripped of their two titles in 2005 and last year for the offense.

They did not produce the free-flowing soccer of a week ago when they blitzed Livorno 5-1, but their second straight victory allowed them to stay ahead of Roma, who eased past Siena 3-0, at the top of the table on goal difference.

But despite the victory in Sardinia, Juve's former Chelsea and Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri was far from happy.

"We still need to improve. We are under construction at the moment with a new squad, a new tactician and I cannot even say how long it will take to reach the full potential of this side," he said. "I can only say we still have to do better. I'm not happy yet and the players know that. We are winning, but winning is not everything. I want to see an intense, fast-paced match that is a 90-minute advertisement for football."

Juve twice took the lead, only to be pegged back by stubborn opponents before defender Chiellini rose highest at the back post to head home a Mauro Camoranesi free-kick in the last minute to earn the Old Lady of Turin a victory they scarcely deserved.

France international forward David Trezeguet continued his fine start to the season, notching his fourth goal in two games, and 99th in Serie A, in the 54th minute and captain Alessandro Del Piero restored Juve's lead on 77 minutes but both times it lasted only a few minutes before Pasquale Foggia restored parity from the penalty spot.

In the capital, Roma eased to victory against Siena with Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani giving the hosts the lead on 17 minutes.

French forward Ludovic Giuly scored his first goal in Serie A eight minutes from time after being set up by Aquilani before Francesco Totti put the gloss on the victory a minute from the end with a fine individual effort.

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said the match had been tougher than the scoreline suggested.

"After the opening goal Siena did well to snap at our heels. We had the chances to extend our lead, but didn't finalize them," he said. "After the break our roles were reversed and we sealed the points."

In other matches, Palermo bounced back from their home defeat to Roma last weekend by cruising to a 4-2 win at Livorno.

Udinese were humiliated 5-0 at home by newly promoted Napoli, with Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta, formerly of Juventus, scoring a double.

In Sicily, Catania made their first return to the Angelo-Massimino stadium since its closure following the death of policeman Filippo Raciti during violence in the aftermath of a derby game against Palermo last season.

But the return home could not inspire the home side who were held to a 0-0 draw by Genoa.

In Sunday's late game Lazio were held to a 0-0 draw away at Sampdoria.
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