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Monday, 11 April 2011

Toni hits winner as Juve come back to beat Genoa

Luca Toni came off the bench to score a late winner for beleaguered Serie A giants Juventus Sunday in a pulsating 3-2 win against his former side Genoa.





   The veteran striker had the better of Dario Dainelli to find the net with a lob past Portuguese Eduardo and had his say in Juve's second equalizer scored by Alessandro Matri.

   Juve remained two points behind sixth-place Roma, who held on to the last of two Europa League berths after stunning Udinese 2-1 late Saturday with a brace from captain Francesco Totti.

   The noon game at Turin's Stadio Olimpico got complicated for Juve after an early own goal from Leonardo Bonucci as he intercepted a pass from Luca Antonelli.

   There was constant pressing but few telling actions from Juve in the rest of the first half, save a central header from Bonucci on 39 minutes and a wide effort from Simone Pepe.

   The same Pepe opened the second half with a shot smashed from the top left corner of the box, and equalized on 49 minutes as he saw his header deflected by Marco Rossi into his own goal.

   Winger Milos Krasic came close for Juve three minutes later, but was denied by Eduardo's brilliant save before Marco Storari was also called to a crucial save on a drive by Antonio Floro Flores.

   The in-form Genoa striker Floro Flores finished off a following attack from Genoa with a great drive by Storari's left post as the defence allowed him to control a cross inside the box.

   The game's pace remained brisk despite the stifling noon heat and Matri levelled again for Juve on 63 minutes off an assist from the just fielded Toni.

   Ten minutes later, Toni also set up the onrushing Pepe, but the forward saw his low shot well deflected by Eduardo, who was helpless on the veteran's flick with seven minutes left.

   In Saturday action, Esteban Cambiasso and Douglas Maicon were on target for Inter Milan to help them beat Chievo 2-0 and end a bad run that seems to have compromised their season in the Serie A and in Europe.

   With six games left, the reigning champions moved within two points of leaders AC Milan, who beat them 3-0 last Saturday and close the weekend late Sunday at Fiorentina.

   Chasers Napoli can leapfrog Inter in second place when they visit Bologna Sunday with a three-point gap from the top. 




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