PREVIEW: Lowly sides a thorn in Juve's side

By Alberto Cagliano Feb 16, 2012, 10:23 GMT

Rome - Juventus kept up their faltering pace this week with a 10th draw from 22 Serie A games, which prevented them from going top ahead of AC Milan.

Late Wednesday, the unbeaten Bianconeri took home a single point from lowly Parma in a game rescheduled earlier this month because of a snowfall.

Title holders Milan, who meanwhile hammered Arsenal 4-0 in the Champions League's round of 16, stayed top on 47 points - one more than Juve, who have another game in hand.

As in earlier games with second-tier sides like Siena, Cagliari, Genoa, Chievo, Catania and Bologna, the Turin giants stuttered against defences that, as is the case for Genoa and Parma, are among the worst in the league.

'We had several chances to score,' coach Antonio Conte said. 'Some times the goalkeeper (Nicola Pavarini) was clever, other times we were not so good.'

Conte also complained about a couple of missed penalty calls and noted how Juve had a single spot kick awarded this season - Milan had six, Napoli five, Inter Milan four.

Despite wins against big guns Udinese, Inter, Lazio and Milan - beaten both in league and Italian Cup games - fans fear trouble from late Saturday's home game to Catania, a Sicily mid-table side who last weekend crushed Genoa 4-0.

Milan profited from the return of several injured players in their perfect game against the English guests and are in for an easy task at bottom side Cesena on Sunday.

Lazio are also in good form after moving to third place and late Sunday play at Palermo after an Europa League game with Atletico Madrid.

There is continental duty also for Udinese before visiting Cagliari.

Inter open the round at home to Bologna Friday, when Napoli play at Fiorentina.

Sunday afternoon action sees Lecce and Siena play at noon before Roma v Parma, Genoa v Chievo and Novara v Atalanta.