|
 |
| Camoranesi celebrates with his team [AFP] |
Juventus closed the gap on Inter Milan in Italy's Serie A as Mauro Camoranesi struck twice in two minutes to propel the Bianconeri to a 5-2 win at struggling Atalanta.
The victory gives them 24 points from 12 games, four points adrift of Inter Milan, who entertain AS Roma on Sunday.
Camoranesi headed his side ahead in the 36th minute and then smashed in a loose ball for his third goal in two games, following Juve’s 1-0 victory at Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League earlier in the week.
Jaime Valdes pulled one back after the break for Atalanta, who are managed by Antonio Conte, a contender for the job in Turin in the close season before his old Juve team mate Ciro Ferrara was promoted from caretaker to permanent coach.
Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo restored the visitors' cushion with a piledriver into the corner from well outside the box.
Atalanta's Fabio Ceravolo exposed the defensive fragility behind Juve's recent inconsistency in Serie A in the 71st, stepping inside his marker before curling the ball inside the far post.
But Diego and David Trezeguet were on target in the closing stages to wrap up the win.
Napoli held
Earlier Napoli's impressive form under new coach Walter Mazzarri appeared to fizzle out when they were held 0-0 at second-from-bottom Catania.
Napoli, who now share fifth place with Fiorentina, showed none of the fury that had enabled them to come from behind to beat Juventus 3-2 last weekend, their third win in four games after Mazzarri replaced Roberto Donadoni.
The Sicilians were more enterprising and Japanese forward Takayuki Morimoto missed a glorious opportunity before the break when he blasted at the keeper from short range with the goal gaping.
|