ITALIAN SERIE A:SUBSTITUTE Christian Poulsen finally found favour with Juventus fans when he scored in injury-time to seal a remarkable 2-1 win at Catania yesterday.
Juventus, reduced to 10 men after just 12 minutes, climbed back above AC Milan into second spot after the Dane took advantage of a defensive error to net his first goal of the season.
Poulsen has struggled to gain a place in the hearts of Juve fans following some average displays and a run of injuries since a move from Sevilla last July.
He made up for it in style in Sicily, and also spared Vincenzo Iaquinta’s blushes after the striker was dismissed only moments after heading the opener.
Iaquinta was booked for removing his shirt in celebration but received a second yellow card moments later for a foul.
Japanese forward Takayuki Morimoto brought the hosts level early in the second half before Poulsen struck.
Injury-hit Juve are seven points behind leaders Inter Milan after the champions won 3-0 at Lecce on Saturday. AC Milan are third on 45 after drawing 1-1 with bottom side Reggina.
However, Kaka, who scored a 67th-minute penalty for the Rossoneri, has been ruled out for at least 15 days with a foot injury, his club AC Milan said yesterday. The playmaker will miss Brazil’s friendly with Italy on Tuesday and next Sunday’s big league derby with Inter Milan.
