Rome, Feb 17 (IANS) Juventus, Roma and Napoli all won convincingly in Serie A while Alberto Gilardino scored twice in the last 25 minutes to earn Genoa a 3-3 draw against Udinese.
League leaders Juventus celebrated their head coach Antonio Conte’s 100th Serie A match with a 3-1 home win over Chievo Sunday, reports Xinhua.
Kwadwo Asamoah put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute followed by Claudio Marchisio‘s goal (29th minute). Chievo pulled one back thanks to Martin Caceres’ own goal but Fernando Llorente‘s 57th-minute header calmed nerves and sealed the result for the hosts.
Roma remain nine points adrift of Juve in second after they beat 10-man Sampdoria 3-0 at Stadio Olimpico. Mattia Destro made the most of a rare start to score a double for the capital club, who bounced back from Wednesday’s Coppa Italia exit at Napoli in perfect fashion.
“I think that after the Coppa Italia there was a lack of respect for my team. Today we saw the response as the truth is always on the pitch. We saw a great Roma side, who are second in Serie A, play incredible football, are four points ahead of Napoli with a game in hand,” said Roma head coach Rudi Garcia.
“Tonight we proved that we are strong. You all know there was a lack of respect. People need to acknowledge what this team can do and say the truth. I have total faith in this team and I am right to do so.”
Napoli met little resistance at Sassuolo as goals from Blerim Dzemaili and Lorenzo Insigne helped them to a routine 2-0 triumph.
Genoa, twice two goals behind, staged a spectacular comeback to salvage a draw against Udinese at home. Udinese went 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Dusan Basta and Bruno Fernandes. Although Moussa Konate made it 2-1 in first half stoppage time, Luis Muriel’s penalty just after the break looked to have sealed the result for Francesco Guidolin’s side.
Alberto Gilardino stood out then, first scoring in the 69th minute before he bagged a dramatic leveller with 11 minutes left to play.
In other kick-offs, Parma scored three times in the last 16 minutes to win 4-0 at Atalanta while Catania shocked Lazio 3-1 and Livorno triumphed 2-1 at Cagliari.
