Amauri helps dull Juventus edge Siena (1st Lead)

Oct 25, 2009, 16:34 GMT

Rome - A lacklustre Juventus had Amauri on target as they struggled to beat bottom-side Siena 1-0 Sunday and remain third in the Serie A, four points behind Inter Milan.

Inter moved on to 22 points from nine games after a 2-1 win over Catania on Saturday, when Sampdoria trounced Bologna 4-1 to remain second on 20 points.

Confusion reigned at Juventus as they struggled to edge the Tuscany hosts through a second-half header from Amauri, who on 71 minutes nodded home a free-kick curled from Brazilian compatriot Diego.

Juve, however, had few reasons to celebrate, given their ongoing lack of grit and organization in midfield, which provided strikers David Trezeguet and Amauri very few chances to score.

Defender Giorgio Chiellini came close with a header in a first half that ended with a great save from Gianluigi Buffon to block a break by Siena's Swede Albin Ekdal.

A worse fate befell Fiorentina on home turf against Napoli, who snatched a 1-0 win through a late goal from Christian Maggio, a former player of the Florence side.

French custodian Sebastien Frey was the best among the hosts, deflecting a spot kick from Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella and producing a series of stunning saves on efforts from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik.

The defeat held Fiorentina on 15 points alongside Palermo, who clinched a last-gasp 1-0 win over Udinese.

Surprising newcomers Bari lie on 14 points after a 2-0 win over dull guests Lazio, who in the final minutes had Ousmane Dabo dismissed for a harsh from-behind foul on Edgar Alvarez.

Promoted Parma also lie on 14 points despite a 3-1 beating suffered at Atalanta, while Cagliari rallied against 10-man Genoa to secure a 3-2 win before the home crowd.

Struggling giants Roma crashed to a 1-0 home defeat to Livorno, a promoted side who improved their lowly standing with the arrival of new coach Serse Cosmi and despite the 63rd-minute dismissal of goalkeeper Alfonso De Lucia.

Giants AC Milan lag 10 points adrift from Inter, but can reduce their gap when they close the weekend in Verona against Chievo.