Rome, Sep 20 (DPA) Juventus took the lead in the Italian Serie A as Vincenzo Iaquinta and Claudio Marchisio were on target in a 2-0 win over promoted visitors Livorno.
The absences of mainstays Fabio Cannavaro and Brazilian Diego, plus at least three other players, didn’t hamper the pace of the Turin side, who led on a perfect 12-point tally from four games after Saturday’s win.
Livorno were the first to threaten at the Stadio Olimpico despite Juve’s fast get-go, but Francesco Tavano found Gianluigi Buffon perfectly positioned to block his close-range flick.
Alfonso De Lucia was not as ready, although he was not to blame, on eight minutes when Iaquinta rose above the defence to nod home a swerving cross from Mauro Camoranesi.
A further threat for Buffon came on 11 minutes as Nico Pulzetti forced another save with a drive deflected by a defender, and the international had to make two great saves to deny Cristiano Lucarelli and Brazilian Paixao Diniz after his side had secured a two-goal lead.
Marchisio took care of sealing Juve’s win, curling a great lob above De Lucia after Sebastian Giovinco set him up on the left flank of the area.
As the first half ended, Iaquinta botched the easiest of chances, firing against De Lucia from inside the goal area.
Controlling the game was Juve’s goal after the break, although Buffon had to make a couple of crucial saves, while the rather evanescent David Trezeguet shook Livorno’s woodwork in the 67th minutes and missed an easy deflection in the 77th.
Earlier Saturday, Napoli and visiting Udinese played out a brisk but scoreless draw at the San Paolo stadium.
rounak