Juventus 3-2 Genoa

A disputed penalty allowed Juventus to win their first game under coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

Genoa went ahead with a goal from captain Marco Rossi in the 16th minute, but Amauri brought the Bianconeri level shortly before the break.

Alessandro Del Piero put the home team in front after an hour, but Rossi struck back immediately with an equaliser Genoa more than deserved.

However, the game was decided in the 78th minute by a penalty earned and converted by Del Piero, although doubts remain whether it should have been a spot kick in the first place.

Four games without defeat had re-launched Genoa's push for a place in Europe next season and they looked confident early on.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos broke down the right wing and his dangerous cross was put behind by Jonathan Zebina as Robert Acquafresca loomed in the third minute.

The Rossoblu took a deserved lead in the 16th minute thanks to Rossi, who scored for the second week running.

His goal was decisive in the 1-0 win against Chievo last weekend and he also hit the post moments before providing a composed finish to an excellent team move.

He chose precision rather than power to beat Gianluigi Buffon from eight yards after Acquafresca pulled the ball back from the goal line.

Juve were disappointing, but they still managed to find an equaliser before the interval with Amauri netting his first goal since October, when the opponents were Genoa's city rivals Sampdoria.

Martin Caceres beat Domenico Criscito and sent in a cross from the goal line which Amauri met with a determined header, rising above both Papastathopoulos and Dario Dainelli and giving Marco Amelia no chance from six yards.

The second half was more even with Genoa missing two good chances through Sculli and Papastathopoulos, but the Bianconeri also posed a greater threat.

And Del Piero put them ahead with a goal the Juve fans have been waiting all season for.

He stole the ball off Criscito before exchanging passes with Diego, whose neat backheel put Del Piero through for Juve's second.

Their joy was short-lived, though, as Rossi pounced at the other end of the field to take advantage of a rare mistake by Buffon and bring Genoa level again just a minute later.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw until referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni gifted the home side victory.

He pointed to the spot when Del Piero rolled into the penalty area after tripping himself up with Papastathopoulos in close attendance and the Juve captain accepted the gift to despatch the spot-kick and earn Juve all three points.