Serie A wrap: Juventus draw again

Serie A leaders Juventus twice gave up the lead to draw 2-2 at home to Genoa on Saturday, while Fiorentina were held by Catania.

Juve had won just once in their last four league matches ahead of the clash in Turin.

That disappointing sequence became three successive draws, and four in five outings, following the visit of a stubborn Genoa to the Juventus Stadium.

The hosts led as early as the sixth minute, when Alessandro Matri diverted a long-range effort from Claudio Marchisio beyond Genoa goalkeeper Sebastien Frey.

The away side were back on level terms when captain Marco Rossi headed home Alexander Merkel’s cross in the 31st minute.

Striker Matri restored Juve’s lead shortly before the hour mark when he collected Andrea Pirlo’s forward pass, before beating Frey with a clinical finish.

Mirko Vucinic and Matri both passed up chances to add a third, and they would be made to rue those missed opportunities.

With five minutes remaining, Andrea Caracciolo latched on to a knock-down from fellow substitute Juraj Kucka, before squeezing his shot past Juve goalkeeper Marco Storari to claim the equaliser.

Despite recording another draw, Juve remain top of the table.

But they are just one point clear of second-placed Udinese, who can move into first if they win at home to Novara on Sunday.

Also on Saturday, Catania staged a similar escape act, coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away to Fiorentina.

Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic put hosts Fiorentina in front after 20 minutes at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Gennaro Delvecchio levelled for the visitors two minutes before half-time.

And while Jovetic struck again to make it 2-1 on 62 minutes, Argentine forward Maxi Lopez produced another equaliser with eight minutes remaining.

The draw leaves Fiorentina eighth, one point and one place worse off than Catania.