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FOOTBALL EUROPE: Juve juggernaut rumbles on

/noticias.info/ Romanian striker Adrian Mutu scored twice as Juventus started 2006 as they ended 2005, beating UEFA Cup hopefuls US Città di Palermo 2-1 to stretch their lead at the Serie A summit to eleven points.

Bad omen

The Bianconeri surprisingly lost this fixture last season, and a repeat looked on the cards when defender Cristian Terlizzi gave the visitors the lead on 12 minutes, volleying in Eugenio Corini's cross. But Mutu cancelled the goal out within three minutes as he kept his composure to slot in the rebound after his shot had cannoned back off the crossbar.

Mutu second

With Pavel Nedvěd and Gianluca Zambrotta ruled out through injury and suspension, respectively, Juve did not enjoy their usual midfield dominance but their forwards remained a menace. Zlatan Ibrahimovic went close with an audacious back-heel before Mutu handed the home team the lead on 34 minutes, placing a low angled drive past debutant Cristiano Lupatelli after Patrick Vieira flick-on.

Palermo denied

Lupatelli kept Palermo in the game thereafter, making a memorable save to deny Ibrahimovic a stunning goal, and the visitors almost stole a point late on when Andrea Caracciolo rose above the Juve defence to get on the end of Corini's corner. But his header skimmed the upright and Juve held on to extend their lead at the summit, while Palermo remain eleventh.

Viola held

In the day's other game, AFC Fiorentina missed out on the chance to leap to second as they were held at Reggina Calcio. Both goals arrived in the space of 60 seconds, with the Amaranto taking the lead on 12 minutes when Vigiani's flick found Alessandro Lucarelli unmarked at the back post and the centre-back applied a simple finish. The Viola quickly levelled through Martin Jørgensen but a winner proved elusive. notas_de_prensa_archivo