AP, Milan :
Gonzalo Higuain scored twice as Juventus came from behind to win at Atalanta 3-1 in Serie A on Saturday.
League leader Juventus maintained its one-point advantage over Inter Milan, which won at Torino 3-0.
Robin Gosens opened the scoring for Atalanta early in the second half but Higuain netted twice in eight minutes and set up Paulo Dybala in stoppage time.
“It is difficult to dominate here; they make everyone suffer,” Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri said. “It’s like going to the dentist; maybe you come out well, but you suffer.”
Juventus was without Cristiano Ronaldo, having left the forward at home so he’s fully fit on Tuesday for the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
Atalanta hadn’t beaten Juventus in Serie A since 2001 but had a great chance to take the lead in the 17th minute when it was awarded a penalty. But Musa Barrow hit the crossbar and Mario Pasalic headed the rebound over.
Atalanta dominated but was kept at bay by some fine saves from Wojciech Szczesny, until 11 minutes into the second half. Barrow crossed from the right of the penalty area for an unmarked Gosens to head in at the back post.
Juventus leveled in the 74th as the ball went to Higuain in a scramble in the penalty area and his swiveling effort was deflected into the bottom right corner.
“For us its three points lost after having been superior in everything for 75 minutes,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said. “Higuain’s equalizer is the illustration of an unlucky day: Double rebound and a deflection.”
There was controversy around Higuain’s second as there appeared to be a handball from teammate Juan Cuadrado in the buildup. Atalanta players were furious and called for an on-field review but the video assistant referee deemed it unnecessary.
Higuain turned provider in stoppage time with a delightful cross-field ball for Dybala to extend Atalanta’s winless run to five matches.
Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku scored again for Inter to help it to a comfortable win in miserable conditions in Turin.
