Thaindian News

Rome, April 12 (DPA) Juventus had Mauro Camoranesi dismissed as they lost 2-3 against Genoa and missed a chance to close in on Serie A leaders Inter Milan ahead of next weekend classic tie in Turin.
With seven games remaining, Inter are now 10 points ahead of Juventus, after being held earlier Saturday to a 2-2 home draw against guests Palermo, who came from behind as Edison Cavani and Davide Succi levelled goals from Mario Balotelli and league top striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Genoa’s aggressive midfield tactics overwhelmed Juve and gave the hosts a 29th-minute lead when Brazilian Thiago Motta fired home a loose ball from the limit of the box.

A spot kick in the 45th minute gave Alessandro Del Piero a chance to equalise, but Motta scored again with a majestic header shortly before the break.

Juve’s equalizing efforts lost steam on 65 minutes with the dismissal of Camoranesi for a foul on Giuseppe Sculli, who later on had a close-range header saved before Bosko Jankovic nodded against the post.

A desperate pressing allowed Juve to level through Vincenzo Iaquinta’s close-range lob past Robinho with seven minutes to go, but Raffaele Palladino put Genoa back in the lead four minutes later.

At Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza, Balotelli’s 15th-minute header was followed by Ibra’s spot kick conversion for a comfortable two-goal lead at the break.

The Swede scored his 20th goal to move one clear of Bologna’s Marco Di Vaio, but Jose Mourinho’s side had a rough second half and had to settle for their fifth draw in 16 unbeaten home games.

In the 73rd minute, the in-form Uruguayan Cavani, now on 12 goals, stormed on the right flank to beat Francesco Toldo, who was filling in for the injured Brazilian Julio Cesar.

Three minutes later Succi equalized from-close range off a cross from the inspired Fabrizio Miccoli.

In Rome, a 10-man Lazio won 4-2 in a pulsating city derby against nine-man Roma. Lazio, took an early two-goal lead that they retained to the end of the game despite a vehement reaction from Roma.

Fiorentina prevailed 2-1 over 10-man Cagliari, but remained behind Genoa in the race for the last available Champions League berth.

AC Milan remained third after a 1-0 win away to Chievo, Sampdoria won 3-1 at struggling Lecce, Siena crushed 4-1 lowly hosts Bologna, Napoli and Atalanta drew 0-0, Torino edged guests Catania 2-1.