Juventus claims victory to leapfrog Roma
Federico Chiesa and Aaron Ramsey were on target as Juventus sealed a 2-0 Serie A win over Sampdoria at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday (AEDT).
Italy international Chiesa put Andrea Pirlo's side on its way midway through the first half with his sixth top-flight goal of the season, while Cristiano Ronaldo missed opportunities to extend its advantage.
Fabio Quagliarella twice went close for Claudio Ranieri's side after the break, but Juve wrapped up a third consecutive win over Sampdoria without conceding a goal when Ramsey scored in stoppage-time.
The result means Juve leapfrogs Roma into third – seven points behind leader AC Milan – although Paulo Fonseca's side will move back above Juve if it beats Hellas Verona on Monday (AEDT).
After a sluggish start, Juve went ahead with its first shot on target in the 20th minute.
Ronaldo fed Alvaro Morata down the right and the Spain international's low cross was tucked away by Chiesa from six yards.
Ronaldo twice came close to extending Juve's lead before the interval, but Emil Audero tipped over his fierce long-range strike and the Portuguese superstar later missed the target after rounding the Sampdoria goalkeeper.
The hosts, who failed to register a shot on target in the first half, improved after the break, with only a superb block from Giorgio Chiellini denying Quagliarella an equaliser.
Wojciech Szczesny thwarted the veteran striker from a tight angle soon after as Sampdoria threatened to draw level.
That threat soon disappeared, though, and substitute Ramsey made sure of a vital three points when he slid home from Juan Cuadrado's pass following a swift counter-attack.
