Italy: Juventus join Lazio at the top

JUVENTUS took advantage of another bout of Palermo travel sickness to beat the Sicilians 3-0 yesterday and join Lazio at the top of Serie A.

Simone Pepe headed Juve in front in the first half before Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio each scored their fifth goal of the season to keep Juventus unbeaten after their first 10 games of the season.

Fifth-placed Palermo have a 100 per cent home record but have taken only one point in six away games and have yet to score on the road. Antonio Conte’s team went level on 22 points with Lazio, who have played a game more and drew 0-0 at Napoli on Saturday. Juventus visit Lazio next Sunday.

Udinese missed a chance to go top when they lost 2-0 at Parma, a result which kept them level on 21 points with defending champions AC Milan who drew 0-0 at Fiorentina on Saturday. Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin spent two seasons at Parma but got no favours from his former club as Jonathan Biabany headed the hosts ahead before the hour and Sebastian Giovinco converted a penalty. It was Giovincos seventh goal of the season.

Roma moved up to sixth place after goals from Miralem Pjanic and Fernando Gago gave them a 2-1 home win over Lecce.

Argentine forward German Denis scored twice for Atalanta, the first a penalty, in a 2-2 draw at Siena, leaving him as league topscorer with nine goals. Gaetano DAgostino and Alessandro Gazzi replied for Atalanta who twice came from behind in a battle of two promoted teams.