Genoa 2-0 Juventus REPORT: Serie A champions pay price for resting Cristiano Ronaldo

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Juventus, who ended the match without a single on-target attempt, could now see their lead at the top slashed to 15 points should Napoli defeat Udinese later today. That is still a more-than-healthy lead to take into the international break, after which they face Empoli at the Allianz Stadium. For Genoa, meanwhile, they will look to push on from this impressive win when they return to action on March 30 with a trip to Udinese.

The champions are beaten! For the first time in 2018-19, Juventus fall to defeat in Serie A. It was a great display from Genoa, who had by far the better of the first-half chances – coming close through Sanabria and Kouame – before pushing on in the second period. Sturaro, who until January was contracted to Juve, and Pandev scored in the space of nine minutes, though only after Dybala had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR. The video assistants also stepped in to rule out a Genoa pen in the first half, but on the basis of the 90 minutes there is no doubt that the right team won.

FULL-TIME: GENOA 2-0 JUVENTUS

No Ronaldo, no party! Genoa are toying with their opponents, each pass being greeted by chants of “OLE!”. The ball is launched into the box but Rugani gets on the end of it. The visitors are unable to keep hold of the ball, with two minutes of added time to come.

With the 90 minutes of normal time up, Juventus have failed to register a single shot on target. Dybala did find a way through, but that was disallowed for offside. This has been a hugely disappointing display from the champions, as they continue to probe away to no avail.

Juventus win a free-kick, which Bernardeschi fires straight into the stands. It is a terrible attempt that surely signals the end of Juve’s hopes of rescuing something from this match.

GOAL! Genoa 2-0 Juventus – Pandev (81 mins)

Goran Pandev doubled Genoa’s lead against the Serie A champions with his goal on 81 minutes

Genoa take the ball to the corner – can you blame them?! Juventus soon win back possession, but they are reluctant to launch it forward and will instead try to pass their way through on goal. A reminder that the champions have not lost a league game all season. That will surely change in the next 10 minutes.

GOAL! Genoa 1-0 Juve – Sturaro (72 mins)

Kouame charges clear of Bonucci, who has looked tired all game, but he stumbles at the vital moment and the chance goes begging. Juventus risk shipping a third goal the way this match is panning out.

Can’s frustration is clear to see as he shoves Criscito to the ground. The Genoa defender makes the most of the contact, but a yellow card is the right call.

Pandev is shown a yellow card for his celebration. It is a booking that he will happily accept, having put his side on the brink of a famous victory.

GOOOAAALLL!!! GENOA 2-0 JUVENTUS! Juventus are heading for their first league defeat in nearly a year as another substitute finds the back of the net! Pandev takes Kouame’s reverse path in his stride and fires it across Perin, who is again caught out.

Kouame has wasted a couple of good chances today, but he has redeemed himself with this assist. The reverse ball gave Pandev a chance to shoot, and he was able to pick out the far corner of the net.

Sturaro makes a good run towards the back post but the pass towards him is intercepted by Perin, who will wonder if he could have done more to keep out the midfielder’s breakthrough goal.

CHANCE FOR KOUAME TO SEAL IT! Genoa waste the chance to kill off the match, as Kouame cuts inside after pouncing on a weak header from Can and balloons the ball over the crossbar. The forward made the wrong choice by shifting it onto his right boot.

Allegri is not really helping his side with these changes, constantly halting their momentum. Spinazzola, another who impressed against Atletico five days ago, is on for Bentancur.

Veloso is introduced for the final 15 minutes, taking over from Radovanovic. Genoa are closing in on a famous victory.

Allegri turns to Kean in place of Mandzukic, with his side needing a goal to preserve their unbeaten record. There is no Ronaldo on the bench for Juventus today, remember.

GOOOOOAAALLLL!!! GENOA 1-0 JUVENTUS! The former Juventus man fires Genoa ahead!! On the field for just a matter of minutes, Sturaro sets himself for the shot 20 yards from goal and whips it into the bottom corner, just out of Perin’s reach. Questions will be asked of the goalkeeper, but that is a superb finish.

Pandev maybe thought about taking on the shot himself, but he instead laid it off to Sturaro alongside him and his team-mate needed just one touch of the ball to set himself before bending it past Perin with his second.

Pandev waits for the contact from Can and hits the floor to win his side a free-kick in a good shooting position. Criscito leaves it for Radovanovic, who – after much build-up – blasts it straight into the charging two-man wall.

Prandelli makes his second change of the contest. Ex-Juve man Sturaro is on for Lazovic, who has had a good game but has started to tire.

Genoa see out the danger as Dybala blazes a volley off target from the latest corner. Juventus have a little over 20 minutes to find a breakthrough.

Juventus win a series of corners, each of which are some way off the mark. The latest one is helped back into the middle by Can, and it hits a home player on its way through as another corner is awarded.

SAVE! This is turning into an entertaining game of football, even if it remains goalless. Genoa are starting to take a few risks, sensing that Juventus are there for the taking. Kouame lays the ball off for Pandev, but the substitute’s tame shot is right at Perin.

Juventus have started to play some nice football. A slick move ends with Can attempting an audacious overhead kick at the back post, which he sends wide of the target. That was better than his first-half volley, at least!

GOAL RULED OUT! More drama here as Juventus’ goal is ruled out. There was apparently an offside infringement in the build-up, so Dybala’s goal has been wiped out.

GOOAAALLL!!! GENOA 0-1 JUVENTUS! Juventus think that they have taken the lead through their first on-target attempt of the contest, though VAR will first have to review it. Cancelo pounces on a loose ball and cuts it back for Dybala, who sweeps it past Radu with the help of a deflection Criscito. The question now is whether the goal will stand…