Rome, Jan 26 (IANS) Juventus’ 12-match winning run in the Serie A was snapped when they were held 1-1 by Lazio at the Roma Olimpico Stadio.
Napoli also had a difficult match Saturday as they managed to scored two minutes from end to get a 1-1 draw at home against Chievo, reports Xinhua.
Juventus, who have not tasted defeat in Serie A since a 2-4 defeat at Fiorentina in October, suddenly faced an uphill battle in the 25th minute when their goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was red carded for bringing down Miroslav Klose in the area.
Antonio Candreva converted the resulting penalty to give Lazio an unlikely 1-0 lead.
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Juventus did not appear to be hindered by the dismissal and they continued to dominate the tempo.
The reigning champions were rewarded on the hour mark when a superb move was finished by Fernando Llorente‘s looping header from Stephan Lichtsteiner’s pin-point cross.
Earlier Saturday, Napoli’s fading title hopes were dealt another blow as they were held by strugglers Chievo.
Chievo took a surprise lead after 18 minutes via a superb half-volley from Gennaro Sardo.
Napoli’s relentless pressure finally paid off in the 88th minute when Raul Albiol drove a half-volley into the floor that bounced into the bottom corner.
Rafael Benitez’s men should have equalised in the 25th minute when Jose Callejon’s ball across the face of goal was inexplicably put wide by Gonzalo Higuain at the back post with the goal gaping.
Dries Mertens also went close when his effort from an acute angle struck the outside of the post.
The result means that Napoli remain third and 12 points behind leaders Juventus, while Chievo are just one point above the relegation zone in 16th.
