Genoa, Italy – Marco Rigoni helped Genoa claim a shocking 3-2 win over Lazio at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday as the midfielder scored the winner deep into second-half stoppage time.
The 33-year-old Rigoni is under contract with Novara of Serie B and was on loan to Chievo in the first half of the season, but he made an immediate impact upon his loan switch to Genoa by knocking off third-place Lazio with a goal in the fifth minute of added time.
Genoa found itself in front by two goals before halftime as Marco Borriello and Andrea Bertolacci struck in the 16th and 22nd minutes, respectively.
Sergio Floccari pulled one back for Lazio in the 58th minute before Stefano Mauri equalized with a penalty kick eight minutes from time.
The two sides looked destined to split the points, but Rigoni popped up late on with his second Serie A goal of the season and the first for his new club.
It proved to be a crucial strike as Genoa has climbed out of the relegation zone with the win by improving to 21 points.
Lazio fails to keep pace with the rest of the pack at the top of the Serie A table, falling nine points back of first-place Juventus and six points back of second-place Napoli after their respective wins this weekend.
Juventus 2, Chievo 1
Verona, Italy - Juventus reclaimed top spot in Serie A on Sunday, earning a 2-1 win over Chievo at the Stadio M.A. Bentegodi.
The visitors were up by two before the halftime break thanks to goals from Alessandro Matri and Stephan Lichtsteiner. Cyril Thereau pulled one back for Chievo in the 52nd minute but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal.
The Bianconeri improves to 52 points to move three points clear of Napoli while Chievo remains on 28 points.
Siena 3, Inter Milan 1
Siena, Italy - Inter Milan saw its winless run in Serie A play extended to three games on Sunday, suffering a disappointing 3-1 loss to Siena at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Innocent Emeghara's opening goal in the 21st minute was immediately canceled out by Antonio Cassano, but Alessio Sestu restored Siena's lead in the 24th minute.
Cristian Chivu was sent off for Inter in the 54th minute for denying a clear scoring opportunity, and Siena took advantage when Alessandro Rosina converted the ensuing penalty.
Siena climbs out of the cellar on goal differential, going level with Palermo on 17 points apiece. Inter remains on 40 points.
AC Milan 2, Udinese 1
Milan, Italy - Mario Balotelli scored twice on his AC Milan debut to help his side claim all three points in a 2-1 defeat of Udinese at the San Siro on Sunday.
Balotelli made his high-profile switch from Manchester City to AC Milan this week and proceeded to make an immediate impact back in Italy, scoring for his first goal for his new club in the 25th minute.
Milan held the one-goal lead until the 55th minute when Giampiero Pinzi struck with his second goal of the season, but Balotelli popped up in the fourth minute of added time to convert a game-winning penalty to see the Rossoneri climb to fourth place with 40 points on the season.
Udinese remains on 33 points, losing two of its last three league games.
Fiorentina 2, Parma 0
Florence, Italy - Fiorentina claimed its first Serie A win in 2013 by cruising to a 2-0 defeat of Parma at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday.
The home side received goals on either side of halftime as Luca Toni and Stevan Jovetic struck in the 27th and 50th minutes, respectively, to power the club to its first win since December 22.
Fiorentina improves to 39 points, eight points better than Parma, which has lost two straight league games.
Bologna 3, Pescara 2
Pescara, Italy - Bologna came from behind to take all three points in a 3-2 win over Pescara at the Stadio Adriatico on Sunday.
Penalties reigned supreme in the first half as Vladimir Weiss, Alessandro Diamanti and Gaetano D'Agostino all converted from the spot to see Pescara claim the edge, but Bologna equalized through Alberto Gilardino in the 50th minute and grabbed the winner through Panagiotis Kone 15 minutes later.
Bologna climbs to 25 points on the season, five points clear of the final spot in the relegation zone, occupied by Pescara.
Atalanta 2, Palermo 1
Palermo, Italy - Palermo slipped to the bottom of the Serie A table on Sunday, falling at home to Atalanta in a 2-1 loss at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
After a scoreless first half, Atalanta claimed the lead thanks to goals from Carlos Carmona and German Denis. Nelson pulled one back seven minutes from time, but it failed to spark a comeback from Palermo, which remains on 17 points.
Atalanta moves six points clear of the drop zone, improving to 26 points.
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