Cagliari stunned Juventus 2-0, allowing leaders Inter to open up a seven-point lead at the top of Serie A following a controversial 1-0 success over Fiorentina on Sunday.
AC Milan moved up to second place after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored two goals deep into injury time to secure a crucial win at Catania.
Juve’s title chances took a serious hit as they were well beaten by an energetic Cagliari team who won their fifth match in six — their only defeat in that spell a thrilling 4-3 reverse at the San Siro against Milan.
PHOTO: AFP
It means Juve now have a must win clash at home to Inter next weekend, but coach Ciro Ferrara was more interested about the points lost this week.
“Were Juve disappointing? I think we were watching different games,” he said when asked about the match.
“In the first half we had some difficulties but in the second we had several chances,” he said. “Of course I’m disappointed about the gap to Inter and our inconsistent performances but today’s defeat wasn’t deserved.”
In Sardinia, Cagliari had much the better of the first period and deservedly took the lead on the half hour through a sensational goal by Brazilian Nene.
From a quickly taken free-kick he took a touch and hit a rocket into the top corner from 25m and at an angle that beat Buffon at his near post.
Francesco Pissano saved Cagliari 10 minutes from time with a crucial diving block to stop a Christian Molinaro volley from 6m out before goalkeeper Federico Marchetti palmed away a dangerous Alessandro Del Piero free-kick.
Substitute Alessandro Matri sealed the victory a minute from time as he ran onto a Jeda flick-on, beat Fabio Cannavaro on the outside and shot under Buffon.
Substitute Huntelaar’s late goals, three and five minutes into injury time, earned Milan a 2-0 win over Catania they didn’t deserve.
But it was a great moment for the Dutch striker who has had a torrid time since moving to Italy and is rumored to be leaving in the January transfer window.
Inter dominated Fiorentina but needed a helping hand from the referee to turn that into three points.
Muntari Sulley had two good chances for Inter in the early stages but twice shot wide, and then Ricardo Quaresma hit a cross shot just past the far post on the half hour.
On 50 minutes Walter Samuel headed home from a corner for Inter but his effort was ruled out as he had a solid grip on Dario Dainelli’s shirt.
On 65 minutes Milito was played in by Dejan Stankovic but with only Viola goalkeeper Sebastien Frey to beat he curled his shot wide.
Late on Antonio Gilardino almost stunned Inter as he wriggled free of the backline and then flicked the ball past Julio Cesar only to see it rebound away off the outside of the post.
Inter secured victory thanks to a dubious penalty after Milito flopped to the ground in the box under minimal contact from Gianluca Comotto. Milito picked himself up to slot home the spot-kick.
Italian Serie A
Team | P | GD | PTS | |
1 | Inter | 14 | 22 | 35 |
2 | AC Milan | 14 | 5 | 28 |
3 | Juventus | 14 | 11 | 27 |
4 | Sampdoria | 14 | 1 | 24 |
5 | Parma | 14 | 1 | 24 |
6 | Genoa | 14 | 2 | 23 |
7 | Cagliari | 14 | 5 | 22 |
8 | Bari | 14 | 3 | 21 |
9 | Roma | 14 | 2 | 21 |
10 | Fiorentina | 14 | 2 | 21 |
11 | Napoli | 14 | -1 | 20 |
12 | Chievo | 14 | 0 | 18 |
13 | Udinese | 14 | -2 | 18 |
14 | Palermo | 14 | -2 | 17 |
15 | Lazio | 14 | -5 | 13 |
16 | Bologna | 14 | -7 | 13 |
17 | Atalanta | 14 | -8 | 12 |
18 | Livorno | 14 | -11 | 12 |
19 | Catania | 14 | -9 | 9 |
20 | Siena | 14 | -12 | 6 |
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