Chievo 1-0 Juventus

The pressure continues to mount on Ciro Ferrara after the Juventus boss saw his side's lose at Chievo.

Gennaro Sardo's stunning first-half strike proved to be the only goal of the game as Juve turned in a performance lacking energy and confidence which comes on the back of a 3-0 hammering at the hands of AC Milan in their last league outing.

The Juventus board have voiced their confidence in Ferrara, and Wednesday's 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Napoli had boosted morale, but he is likely to come under scrutiny once again following an awful display in Verona.

And his efforts to turn his squad's fortunes around were not helped by the absence of Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mauro Camoranesi, Martin Caceres, David Trezeguet, Sebastian Giovinco and Christian Poulsen through injury.

Chievo had come into this match on the back of three straight defeats but they were by far the better side and this win will boost their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.

The home side made a bright start and had the Bianconeri on the back foot throughout the opening 15 minutes.

Pablo Granoche thought he was through on goal after 19 minutes but Gianluigi Buffon, returning after over a month on the sidelines with a meniscus injury came out to clear the danger for Juve.

Chievo thought they had taken a deserved lead after 28 minutes when Giorgio Chiellini turned the ball into his own net, but it was ruled out as the referee ruled that Elvis Abbruscato had been holding the defender.

But the home side were not to be denied and Sardo's magnificent goal finally put them ahead in the 33rd minute.

The 30-year-old defender advanced forward and let fly from fully 35 yards, with the ball fizzing into the top corner beyond a desperate dive from Buffon.

And it could have been worse for Ferrara's side after Brazilian midfielder Luciano found space down the right but his cross ran across the area without picking out any attacking players.

Juventus made a more purposeful start to the second half and felt they should have had a penalty as Marcos De Ceglie appealed for handball after his deflected cross had struck Sardo.

Juve continued to push forward although they struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a well-organised Chievo defence.

Diego won a free-kick after 66 minutes but veteran forward Alessandro Del Piero could only fire his tame effort straight at Stefano Sorrentino in the Chievo goal.

Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro had the best chance as the visitors chased an equaliser but his weak header was easily saved by Sorrentino as the Mussi Volanti secured a deserved win which moves them up to 11th in the Serie A table.