(AFP) – Sep 2, 2007

ROME (AFP) — A last minute goal from Giorgio Chiellini earnt Juventus a 3-2 win at Cagliari and allowed the disgraced former champions to hold onto top spot in Serie A on Sunday.

Juve are back in the top flight after romping to the Serie B title last season following their demotion, and points deduction, for match-fixing. They were also stripped of their two titles in 2005 and 2006 for the offence.

They did not produce the free-flowing football of a week ago when they blitzed Livorno 5-1, but their second straight victory allowed them to stay ahead of Roma, who eased past Siena 3-0, at the top on goal difference.

But despite the victory in Sardinia, Juve's former Chelsea and Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri was far from happy.

"We still need to improve. We are under construction at the moment with a new squad, a new tactician and I cannot even say how long it will take to reach the full potential of this side," he said.

"I can only say we still have to do better. I'm not happy yet and the players know that.

"We are winning, but winning is not everything. I want to see an intense, fast-paced match that is a 90-minute advertisement for football."

Juve twice took the lead, only to be pegged back by stubborn opponents before defender Chiellini rose highest at the back post to head home a Mauro Camoranesi free-kick in the last minute to earn the Old Lady of Turin a victory they scarcely deserved.

France forward David Trezeguet continued his fine start to the season, notching his fourth goal in two games, and 99th in Serie A, in the 54th minute and captain Alessandro Del Piero restored Juve's lead on 77 minutes but both times it lasted only a few minutes before Pasquale Foggia restored parity from the penalty spot.

In the capital, Roma eased to victory against Siena with Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani giving the hosts the lead on 17 minutes.

French forward Ludovic Giuly scored his first goal in Serie A eight minutes from time after being set up by Aquilani before Francesco Totti put the gloss on the victory a minute from the end with a fine individual effort.

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said the match had been tougher than the scoreline suggested.

"After the opening goal Siena did well to snap at our heels. We had the chances to extend our lead, but didn't finalise them," he said. "After the break our roles were reversed and we sealed the points."

In other matches, Palermo bounced back from their home defeat to Roma last weekend by cruising to a 4-2 win at Livorno.

Udinese were humiliated 5-0 at home by promoted Napoli, with Uruguayan forward Marcelo Zalayeta, formerly of Juventus, scoring a double.

In Sicily, Catania made their first return to the Angelo-Massimino stadium since its closure following the death of policeman Filippo Raciti during violence during the aftermath of a derby game against Palermo last season.

But the return home could not inspire the home side who were held to a 0-0 draw by Genoa.

In Sunday's late game Lazio were held to a 0-0 draw at Sampdoria.

On Saturday, Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals as champions Inter Milan beat Empoli 2-0.

Inter, still missing injured pair Marco Materazzi and Patrick Vieira, were in front after 13 minutes when Ibrahimovic volleyed in a Maicon cross.

Inter made sure of the three points with seven minutes remaining as Ibrahimovic finished off a sweeping move.

Inter's city rivals AC Milan must wait until Monday to play Fiorentina having wrapped up the European Super Cup against Sevilla in Monaco on Friday.

Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »