Staff Reporter.
Juventus dropped to ninth in Serie A as Verona condemned Massimiliano Allegri’s side to a fourth league defeat of the season.
Giovanni Simeone scored twice in three minutes to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.
Weston McKennie reduced the arrears with 10 minutes remaining, but there was to be no late reprieve for the visitors.
The result lifts Verona above Juventus, who trail joint leaders Napoli and AC Milan by 13 points.
Allegri’s team managed just four efforts on target throughout the 90 minutes, although they did hit the crossbar through Paulo Dybala in the first half.
“We just need to work,” Allegri told DAZN. “We have to take responsibility and accept reality, that we are a mid-table team. The qualities are there, but we need to do so much more.
“In some way we will come out of it. Things will settle down.”
Juventus have now conceded at least 15 goals in their first 11 Serie A matches of the season for the first time since 1961-62.
“He’s a great striker, there is no need for explanation,” Verona coach Igor Tudor said. “As well as being a fine striker, he’s intelligent, humble, eager to learn.
“The quality isn’t just in the legs, but also in the mentality and hunger.”
Napoli can consolidate first place at Salernitana on Sunday, while Milan travel to fourth-placed Roma later that evening.