Serie A: Juventus suffer shock reverse

Bottom-placed Parma stunned league leaders Juventus with a 1-0 win at the Stadio Tardini on Saturday evening.

Jose Mauri's goal was enough for the Gialloblu to make it seven points from their last three games, and 16 for the season, while putting a minor dent in the Bianconeri's hopes of a fourth straight league title.

Juve's lead at the top of the table could be cut to 11 points this weekend, although it was clear that their focus had already shifted to a more important appointment on Tuesday, without taking anything away from a deserved victory for beleaguered Parma.

With one eye already on the Champions League quarter-final tie with Monaco, Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri made wholesale changes to his starting XI, picking Marco Storari over Gianluigi Buffon in goal and giving Angelo Ogbonna a start in a back four, resting Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli.

Up front, Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata seem set to be named against Monaco after both were left out with Fernando Llorente and Kingsley Coman starting, while Andrea Pirlo was not even on the bench.

Parma, whose relegation is already sealed following their declaration of bankruptcy, showed pride in beating Udinese in midweek, having drawn with Inter Milan last weekend, and they looked motivated once again, going close to taking the lead through Ishak Belfodil.

Juve, on the other hand, appeared to be saving their energy, even though they were still able to create a few chances for Arturo Vidal and Llorente.

The first half ended with another good chance for Juve with Antonio Mirante making a good save from Coman.

Chances continued to arrive at both ends of the field with Llorente heading wide and Claudio Marchisio just missing the target for Juve before Parma took the lead on the hour.

Mauri picked his spot beyond the reach of Storari, and bottom-placed Parma had the advantage against the league leaders.

Allegri's reaction was to send Morata on while Simone Pepe followed soon after with the Juve coach clearly keen to avoid an embarrassing defeat.

It did not help with Juve clearly unable to focus on the task in hand but they still hold a comfortable lead at the top of the table despite a second loss of the season.