JUVENTUS suffered another blow in their bid for Champions League qualification as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Monza on Sunday.
Juventus are languishing in 13th in the Seria A table with 23 points, two places behind Monza.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side have not been able to recover momentum after being docked 15 points this month following an investigation into the club’s transfer dealings.
Juventus had won eight league games on the bounce either side of the World Cup to get themselves back into contention for a top four finish and perhaps even a late title push.
But the deduction, coupled with a three-game winless run, leaves them 15 points behind AC Milan in the last Champions League qualification spot.
And their season went from bad to worse as they lost at home for the first time since April against the minnows.
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Remarkably, it was their second league defeat of the campaign to the Serie A debutants.
Monza took the lead after 18 minutes when Jose Machin sent a well-timed through ball to Patrick Ciurria who shot high into the net.
Dany Mota doubled Monza’s lead six minutes before half-time when he got the ball inside the box, rounded Wojciech Szczesny and slotted into the empty net.
Juventus dominated the second half but were repeatedly denied by Monza keeper Michele Di Gregorio.
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There was one positive for the Old Lady, who welcomed back Paul Pogba from injury.
The midfielder didn’t get on the pitch but was back named in a matchday squad for the first time since Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Liverpool almost 10 months ago.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
