Benevento stun Juventus 1-0 as pressure grows on Pirlo

MILAN (AP):

Juventus' hopes of retaining their Serie A title diminished as they surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened Benevento yesterday, as the pressure grew still further on coach Andrea Pirlo.

Adolfo Gaich scored in the 69th minute following a horrendous mistake from Juventus midfielder Arthur.

Juventus remained third, 10 points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan, which had their match against Sassuolo postponed because of coronavirus cases in the Nerazzurri camp. AC Milan can move to within six points of Inter with a win at struggling Fiorentina later.

The victory, perhaps Benevento's biggest in its history, was the team's first win since January 6 and lifted Filippo Inzaghi's side seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Pirlo, who is in his first season as coach, was under increasing pressure after Juventus' recent elimination from the Champions League by Porto.

Juventus struggled to make an impact on Benevento, although it thought it had been given a penalty for a handball by visiting defender Daam Foulon in the 36th minute. However, the referee reversed his decision after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Cristiano Ronaldo had the ball in the back of the net two minutes later, but it was ruled out for offside.

Benevento took a shock lead when Arthur's cross across his own area to Danilo was underhit and pounced on by Gaich, who gleefully turned it into the bottom-left corner.

Ronaldo almost scored a stunning equaliser, nine minutes from time, but his overhead kick flew wide.