Serie A wrap: Quagliarella nets points for Juve

22 September 2012 23:47

Fabio Quagliarella has taken his goal tally to three in as many days as Juventus defeated Chievo Verona 2-0 in Serie A.

Quagliarella scored two goals in four minutes to take his team past Chievo, adding to his strike away to Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Heading into Saturday's match, questions had been asked whether Juventus had a deep-enough squad to rotate players and keep the team fresh but head coach Antonio Conte made it clear he has plenty of depth at his disposal, making five changes to the side he selected against Chelsea.

Quagliarella, Paul Pogba, Emanuele Giaccherini, Mauricio Isla and Lucio all started, with the first three all making a significant impact.

Giaccherini's corner set up Quagliarella's first goal, while Pogba, the 19-year-old former Manchester United youth player, was fantastic in place of Juventus' regular deep-lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

After a goalless first half, Juventus took the lead in the 64th minute when Quagliarella got free in the penalty area to spectacularly volley Giaccherini's corner and although Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino got a hand to the ball, it still snuck in off the post.

Just four minutes later, Quagliarella received Kwadwo Asamoah's pass at the top of the box, nipped past his opponent and slotted his shot into the far corner to wrap up Juventus' victory.

The win continues Juventus' 100 percent start to the season and the reigning champions lead Serie A with 12 points from four matches, although Napoli and Lazio can draw level with the Turin-based club if they win on Sunday.

In the other Serie A match, Parma had to come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against visiting Fiorentina.

Argentine defender Facundo Roncaglia put Fiorentina in front in the 20th minute, unleashing a rocket of a shot, which flew into the top corner from over 25 metres.

But Parma escaped with a draw thanks to a penalty in the 93rd minute, which Jaime Valdes slotted home.