Rome, Oct 5 (DPA) Juventus spoiled their unbeaten Serie A record as Edison Cavani and Fabio Simplicio stunned them in a 2-0 defeat suffered at Palermo.
After the Sunday’s loss, Juve remained rooted on 14 points, while Sampdoria drew 1-1 at home to promoted Parma earlier Sunday to go level with Inter Milan at the top of the Italian Serie A.
Inter, who snatched a last-gasp 2-1 over Udinese Saturday, and Sampdoria both have 16 points from seven games, with Inter enjoying the better goal difference.
Juve displayed poor midfield schemes and sterile offensive tactics that gave strikers Vincenzo Iaquinta and Brazilian Amauri no chances to threaten throughout the first half.
The Sicily hosts went two up before the break thanks to their gritty and orderly game, with Fabrizio Miccoli trying an early drive before providing a good cross for Cavani’s wide header.
The Uruguayan forward tried a tight-angle shot in the 36th minute and on the following action finalised a counter attack favoured by Felipe Melo’s botched a control in midfield.
International goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon again stood no chance in the 41st minute as Brazilian Simplicio burst past the defence to volley past Buffon off a free kick by Miccoli.
Amauri opened the second half with a fast high drive that was Juve’s first telling chance before Dane Christian Poulsen in the 48th minutes aimed a wide volley.
More troubles for Buffon came from Australian Mark Bresciano, who aimed a wide header in the 55th minute as Palermo threatened with swift counter attacks and four minutes later forced Buffon to stop Miccoli’s shot inside the area.
Juve’s Brazilian star Diego curled a free kick against the bar in the 62nd minute although goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu seemed able to slap the ball had it been goalbound.
The Palermo crowd had more chances to root for their heroes as they closed the game with Cavani firing a wide drive and Miccoli shaking the post to the left of Buffon.
After earlier Sunday games, Genoa lie fifth after a 3-1 win secured with 10 men at Bologna, while Fiorentina lie next to Juve as they drew 0-0 at home to Lazio.
Struggling giants AC Milan rescued a 1-1 draw at 10-man Atalanta, Roma beat Napoli 2-1 through a brace from Francesco Totti and Chievo also won 2-1 at Cagliari.
Siena and 10-man Livorno drew 0-0, and on Saturday promoted Bari also drew 0-0 at home to lowly Catania.
rounak