Captain Gianluigi Buffon and defender Andrea Barzagli were rested by Juventus on Sunday in the wake of Italy’s FIFA World Cup exit as the Serie A champions lost 3-2 at UC Sampdoria.
Juventus were three goals down heading into stoppage-time after Duvan Zapata, Lucas Torreira and Gian Marco Ferrari scored in the second half for the Genoese side.
The six-time reigning champions got two back in stoppage-time, with Gonzalo Higuain scoring from the penalty spot and substitute Paulo Dybala grabbing a second just before the final whistle, but Juventus fell to third, four points behind leaders SSC Napoli — 2-1 winners over AC Milan on Saturday — with Inter moving into second place thanks to a Mauro Icardi brace in a 2-0 win over Atalanta BC.
Photo: AFP
Napoli have 35 points from 13 games, two points ahead of Inter, with Juventus on 31 and AS Roma in fourth, a point further back with a game in hand, after beating SS Lazio in a pulsating Rome derby on Saturday.
“This was an unexpected slap in the face,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said. “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. It’s a long game, you have to stay calm.”
The Turin side had the better chances early on with a Higuain shot deflected wide, and Mario Mandzukic and Juan Cuadrado forcing saves.
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,” Ferrero said.
Allegri took a risk when he rested goalkeeper Buffon and defender Barzagli with Dybala starting on the bench against a side who have made their home ground a fortress this season.
“Buffon and Barzagli are getting over the [World Cup] disappointment,” Allegri said. “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.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely