Cannavaro saves Juventus from humbling defeat at Cagliari

By Alberto Cagliano Apr 15, 2006, 17:12 GMT

Milan - A last-gasp goal by defender Fabio Cannavaro Saturday saved Juventus from a humbling defeat at Cagliari as the leaders were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw.

The result means AC Milan are now five points behind on 76 points thanks to a 1-0 win Friday over third-place Inter Milan and, despite being focussed on Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, can nourish hopes of catching Juve in the last four games.

Defending champions Juve didn't lack grit and missed no less than five chances in the first half through strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Del Piero only to fall behind to a spot kick awarded one minute from the break.

Honduran David Suazo took the penalty to beat Gianlugi Buffon after the flooring of substitute Antonio Langella by international defender Gianluca Zambrotta.

Juve came close to equalizing on 51 minutes through another header from Del Piero, who on 59 minutes squandered a spot kick.

A further chance went begging for Juve in injury time when Francesco Vega saved on the goal line before Cannavaro's levelling header triggered fierce protests that led to the dismissal of Cagliari's Antonio Langella.

'Juve threw themselves forward in the dying minutes and there were actions that should have been punished. But what disturbed me most was an elbow blow given by (Mauro) Camoranesi which should have left Juve with 10 men,' said Cagliari coach Nedo Sonetti.

The race for the fourth Champions League berth saw Fiorentina win 3-1 at relegated Treviso and leapfrog AS Roma, who were held to a 3-3 draw at Palermo despite racing into a 3-0 lead.

Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei opened the scoring for Roma on 23 minutes and Mancini made the score 3-0 in two minutes converting a spot kick and tricking the home keeper with a classy heeled effort.

Palermo seemed to be on the ropes, but managed to reignite the game, twice finding the net on 50 and 52 minutes through David Di Michele, who had hit the bar in the first half, and a header from Simone Barone, a defender who levelled on 78 minutes through a spectacular overhead kick.

League top striker Luca Toni notched his 28th goal from 34 games as he opened for Fiorentina on 25 minutes through a header from close range, then missed a great chance before Marco Borriello volleyed home to level for the tail-enders on 38 minutes.

Christian Brocchi and Riccardo Montolivo secured the victory for Fiorentina near the end.

Lazio beat guests Livorno 3-1 to retain sixth place and a UEFA Cup berth currently secured also by Chievo Verona, who beat third-from- last Messina 2-0 despite a 10-man deficit.

Empoli beat 2-1 Siena in a Tuscany derby, Parma stunned hosting Sampdoria 2-1 in a mid-table clash, Reggina won 2-0 over Ascoli, and second-last Lecce lost 2-1 at home to a now relatively safe Udinese.