Milan: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice but champions Juventus had to settle for a point as a late Gervinho double snatched a 3-3 draw after promoted Parma staged an impressive comeback in their Serie A game, Saturday.

Juventus’ dropped points allowed Napoli to cut the gap on the leaders to nine points after a confident 3-0 win over Sampdoria.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side had already had their confidence shaken after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta shattered their hopes of winning a fifth straight Coppa Italia.

Saturday’s draw was not the response Allegri had called for ahead of their Champions League last 16 first leg tie Frbruary 20 against Atletico Madrid.

“I’m happy for the goals but not the result,” said Ronaldo. “Parma didn’t do anything special, they waited for us to make a mistake. But we’re not worried; we know it will be a great season for Juventus.”

Juventus lined up with an inexperienced back line of Leonardo Spinazzola alongside Uruguay defender Martin Caceres who got his first start since moving from Lazio.

Sami Khedira rattled the post twice, before Ronaldo opened the scoring after 36 minutes with Daniele Rugani again scoring for the hosts on 62 minutes.

An Antonino Barilla header clawed one back for Parma two minutes later before Ronaldo completed his brace to return to the top of the Serie A goalscorers’ chart with 17.

But Ivorian Gervinho threw his side a lifeline on 74 minutes and grabbed a point at the death for Parma who remain 12th in the table, 31 points behind Juventus.

The seven-time reigning champions nevertheless remain unbeaten this season having dropped points just twice before against Genoa and Atalanta.

AFP