Italian league leader Juventus lost for the second time in four days, falling at Palermo 1-0 Saturday to give defending champion AC Milan a chance to close to within two points of the top.

Franco Brienza scored the winner for Serie A newcomer Palermo in the 12th minute, curling a left-footed shot past goalkeeper GianLuigi Buffon from the edge of the area.

Juventus, which led AC Milan by eight points last Sunday and seemed to have the title secured, also lost to visiting Sampdoria on Wednesday.

Juventus has 50 points, while Milan has 45 heading into its game against visiting Lazio on Sunday.

Sampdoria moved into a third-place tie by defeating nine-man Fiorentina 3-0.

Francesco Flachi and Max Tonetto scored first-half goals and captain Aimo Diana added another in the second half. Fiorentina's Valeri Bojinov and Daniele Delli Carri both received red cards in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Sampdoria is tied with unbeaten Inter at 38 points, but Inter can reclaim sole possession of third place if it beats host Parma on Sunday.

(Agencies)