By DPA
Milan : Juventus grabbed a last-gasp 3-2 win against Cagliari in a pulsating game that both sides ended with 10 men.
The fast Sardinia side started briskly Sunday at the Sant’Elia, coming close on 15 minutes as Argentinian Joaquin Larrivey fired wide and four minutes later when Alessandro Matri aimed his header above the bar.
Daniele Conti and Larrivey again threatened with wide shots and Matri missed one more header on the half-hour mark as Juventus seemed unable to create any telling action.
A glaring chance, however, went begging for the guests on 45 minutes when captain Alessandro Del Piero profited from a defensive blunder and curled the ball past keeper Marco Fortin only to miss the gaping goal.
The first Juventus goal came in the 53rd minute when David Trezeguet flicked home amidst a dithering defence to bring his season’s goal tally to four.
The visitors’ lead lasted only two minutes as a foul from substitute Nicola Legrottaglie was sanctioned with a spot kick converted by Pasquale Foggia despite Gianluigi Buffon guessing correctly.
The international goalkeeper was crucial on 71 minutes saving a close-range shot from defender Paolo Bianco, five minutes before Mauro Camoranesi volleyed home for Juventus’ 2-1 lead.
A second spot kick for Cagliari on 80 minutes, again converted by Foggia, was followed by the dismissal of Jonathan Zebina, who protested after flooring Larrivey.
Cagliari defender Cristiano Del Grosso followed the Frenchman to the changing rooms as he was waved a second yellow card one minute later.
The match winner on 90 minutes came courtesy of defender Giorgio Chiellini, who headed home a Camoranesi free kick.
“We suffered and fought, we twice were breached, but we know that grit and determination, which is in Juve’s DNA, has been transmitted to the new players (in the team),” said Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri.
AS Roma lie level with Juventus on six points after a 3-0 win over Siena in the second game of the Serie A season.
Captain Francesco Totti, who notched 26 goals last season, celebrated the awarding of the Golden Boot before his home crowd by scoring his side’s last goal against the Tuscany visitors.
Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta did better, notching a brace for newcomers Napoli as they crushed Udinese 5-0 away, while Fabrizio Miccoli was also twice on target for Palermo in a 4-2 win snatched at Livorno.
Atalanta won 2-0 against Parma, Catania and promoted Genoa drew 0-0, Torino drew 2-2 with Reggina and late Sunday Sampdoria drew 0-0 at home against Lazio despite playing the last eight minutes without the dismissed Reto Ziegler.
Title holders Inter Milan have four points after beating hosts Empoli 2-0 Saturday courtesy of a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while AC Milan welcome Fiorentina Monday afternoon having won 3-1 the Super Cup match against Sevilla in Monaco Friday.