Thaindian News

Rome, Feb 16 (IANS) Juventus failed to reclaim the top spot of the Italian Serie A football standings after being held to a goalless draw by Parma.

Juventus dominated Wednesday’s game in terms of opportunities but could not convert them, remaining in second spot, a point behind AC Milan, with a game in hand on the pacesetters.

Juventus head coach Antonio Conte blamed the referee for failing to award penalties.

Juventus had two strong appeals for a spot-kick rejected, and Conte was left enraged by that.

“We dominated the game for long periods and need to win in these situations, so it is a shame we didn’t get all three points,” Conte was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

“And the footage speaks for itself. I think at this stage referees are afraid of giving a penalty to Juventus. We have only received one spot-kick this season.

“I am not just talking about today’s incidents, but it is a general view of the whole campaign that people are afraid of giving a penalty in our favour,” he said.

Conte’s men were well-rested coming into the match, which was postponed last month due to bad weather in Parma.

It was actually mid-table Parma who were threatening inside early on but McDonald Mariga’s weak shot was easily saved by Gianluigi Buffon, and after that it was largely all Juventus.