Rome (AFP)

Without Ronaldo, absent from the last two Serie A matches because he was positive for Covid, Juventus can no longer do it: the Italian champion conceded his second draw in a row (1-1) in the league against Verona on Sunday for the 6th day, and remains 5th in the standings.

Andrea Pirlo's team, who played in pink, were often lackluster in this meeting, against a team from Verona who had already beaten the "Old Lady" in their previous confrontation on February 8 during the 23rd day of the Serie Last season.

In the first period, despite the efforts of Cuadrado, the most restless of the Turinese, the locals failed to deceive the Veronese defense - Italy's second after this match with 2 goals conceded -.

And what had to happen happened: the opening of the scoring on the hour mark by Hellas Verona, reflecting their domination at the start of the second half: Zaccagni, from a small outside foot, intelligently stood out in the area Favilli, entered 5 minutes earlier, who cheated Szczesny from the left.

Stung, the Turinese reacted strongly and equalized in the 78th minute by Kulusevski, entered a little earlier: the young Swedish striker, after having maneuvered the defender Faraoni on the left, deceived Silvestri with a beautiful curled shot from the left.

In his defense, Juve, who multiplied the chances in vain at the end of the match, played bad luck: two of his strikes, unleashed by Cuadrado (41st) and Dybala (76th), crashed on the crossbar.

Little consolation for the Turin team: it remains with AC Milan, which will play Monday night at the end of this day, the only unbeaten in Serie A.

- Naples second -

Earlier in the day, Napoli went to win at Benevento (2-1) to climb to second place, and Florence returned to success by beating Udinese 3-2.

The Campania derby was marked by the performances of the Insigne brothers, both scorers.

Roberto Insigne (26) was the first to stand out by allowing Benevento to open the scoring with a powerful strike under the bar (30 ').

But his big brother and Naples captain, Lorenzo Insigne (29) equalized with a superb curled shot with his left foot (60th).

Just entering the game, winger Matteo Politano and Andrea Petagna combined well allowing the striker to give Napoli the advantage seven minutes later.

The only downside for Gennaro Gattuso's team is Tiémoué Bakayoko's injury exit from a knee.

For their part, Fiorentina found their way back to victory after a draw and two defeats.

Deprived of Ribéry (37 years old) injured in an ankle, the Tuscans could count on Castrovilli (23 years old) author of a double.

The Italian international hope opened the scoring by taking a cross from Cristiano Biraghi (11th) then turned into a passer by crossing for the defender Milenkovic remained at the forefront (22nd).

With a nice shot in the top corner (51st), Castrovilli scored his 4th goal of the season.

Okaka (from the head in 43rd and 86th) allowed the Friulians to reduce the score.

Monday evening at the end of this 5th day, AC Milan, leader, receives Roma: if they sign a fifth success in a row, Ibrahimovic's teammates will take off in the standings.

© 2020 AFP