Juventus crush Sampdoria

Juventus crush Sampdoria

Juventus ran out comprehensive 5-1 winners against Sampdoria to take second place from their opponents in the Serie A table.

Goals from Amauri (two), Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet ensured a one-sided scoreline at the Stadio Grande Torino.

Giampaolo Pazzini scored Samp's consolation with the Blucherchiati slipping to third, one point behind Juve and two shy of leaders Inter Milan, who take on Palermo on Thursday.

This was an eagerly-anticipated match between two sides perched in the top three following promising starts to the season.

Samp coach Luigi Del Neri described the contest as the first true test for his players, who had surprised many with their flying start of six wins in nine Serie A games heading into the clash.

Juve were also riding high with five wins, but suffered a setback this week with the news striker Vincenzo Iaquinta would be sidelined for around five weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

Despite his absence, the Bianconeri dominated from the start and could have taken the lead after 10 minutes.

Fabio Grosso's shot was parried by Samp goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi with Diego latching onto the rebound, only for his follow-up to be deflected narrowly wide.

Castellazzi was called upon again moments later to make a great reflex save from Chiellini's header.

Ciro Ferrara's men continued to rule the roost and Amauri was the next player to threaten with a 14-yard drive which was swept off the line by Stefano Lucchini.

The opening goal soon followed with 27 minutes on the clock. The Samp defence fell asleep during a corner from Sebastian Giovinco allowing Amauri an easy tap-in.

Samp looked a far cry from the side which had lost just once in the league coming into this clash, and their confidence took a further knock two minutes before the interval when Chiellini made it 2-0, slotting home a cross from Amauri.

A third goal arrived five minutes after the restart with Diego and Giovinco linking up on the left wing before the latter supplied a cross to the far post for Camoranesi to turn in.

Samp coach Del Neri could only look on bewildered as his players conceded another goal in the 63rd minute.

Camoranesi's cross from the right was again missed by the visiting defence and Amauri rose to head past Castellazzi.

The Blucherchiati at least managed to muster an attack two minutes later, one which paid off as Pazzini nodded home a perfect cross from Antonio Cassano.

But the match was already beyond them and Juve had time for one more goal as the clock ticked down.

Trezeguet added his name to the scoresheet two minutes from time with Grosso pumping in the cross which the Frenchman met in the six-yard box with another header.