Juventus lost its first Serie A game of the season as Stefano Sturaro and Goran Pandev sealed a memorable 2-0 win for Genoa at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday.
Genoa activated its obligation to buy Sturaro from Juventus for €16.5million in February, less than two weeks after he joined on loan and he marked his first appearance of his second spell with the opener after 72 minutes. That was followed nine minutes from time by Pandev's fine strike past Mattia Perin to secure a deserved victory for the hosts.
Cristiano Ronaldo was rested after his midweek heroics against Atletico Madrid and Juve sorely missed his attacking threat in what was an insipid display.
Genoa came close to taking a surprise lead after 15 minutes but Perin showed superb reactions to paw away Antonio Sanabria's powerful drive from 12 yards. The host then had a penalty award overturned by VAR on the half-hour mark after Christian Kouame was deemed to have handled the ball before it struck Joao Cancelo's wrist.
Juve thought it had taken the lead with its first shot on target after 55 minutes through Paulo Dybala. Referee Marco Di Bello was instructed by VAR, however, that there had been an offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.
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The host took full advantage of that reprieve in a dramatic final 20 minutes.
Just moments after replacing Darko Lazovic, Sturaro sent a curling effort into Perin's bottom corner from 20 yards, which the Juve goalkeeper will feel he should have done better with. Things got even better for the host in the 81st minute when Pandev collected Kouame's pass and fizzed a low strike past Perin.
Allegri's side scarcely looked like clawing its way back into the game in the closing stages and could end the weekend with its lead at the summit cut to 15 points if Napoli overcomes Udinese later on Sunday.
What does it mean? Juve shows a rare fragility
It has swept aside all before it in Serie A this season but the Bianconeri looked utterly bereft of inspiration and fight against a superior Genoa side. It will be a worry for Allegri that his team looked so lacklustre in attack without Ronaldo, while he might have some restless nights wondering what Ajax's exciting band of youngsters could do to that creaking defence in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Sturaro haunts old side
The 26-year-old endured a frustrating five years at Juve, scoring just three goals and being farmed out on multiple loans. He did not take long to reacquaint himself with the Genoa fans, whipping in the opener to set up a famous win.
Dybala fails to impress
Given the chance to shine in the absence of Ronaldo, the Argentina international struggled to make an impact against a resolute Genoa defence. His disallowed goal means he has still scored just four times in the league this season – a woeful return in a team that has utterly dominated Serie A.
What's next?
Juve host struggling Empoli after the international break, while Genoa travel to Udinese.
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