Carpi ended the year with a 3-2 defeat to Juventus at the Stadio Alberto Braglia in their Sunday morning Serie A encounter.
Marco Borriello gave the Biancorossi a shock lead, but Juventus hit back with goals from Paul Pogba and a brace for Mario Mandzukic, a late surge occurred when Leonardo Bonucci turned it into his own net, but the Old Lady held on.
The hosts took a surprising lead after just a quarter of an hour. Former Juventus striker Borriello received the ball in an advanced position, ran at Leonardo Bonucci and caught Gianluigi Buffon off guard with a powerful strike.
The Bianconeri didn’t have to wait long to level the score, Mandzukic, after a flurry of attempts on goal, flicked the ball over his head in the box and blasted it on the volley past Vid Belec.
Sami Khedira had a speculative shot from distance, which Belec dealt with well considering the spin on the ball. The champions took the lead just before half time, Mandzukic met the cross from Patrice Evra in full flight, his header too powerful for Belec to stop.
In the second half the pressure continued to mount on Carpi, Dybala coming close to sneaking it in the near post at the restart.
The pressure told shortly after, a long ball over the top by Andrea Barzagli found Paul Pogba on the run, who controlled the pass and scooped it past the onrushing Belec.
Substitute defender Daniele Rugani thought he’d bagged his first for the club, but the referee pulled play back for an offside decision.
Carpi got one back when Leonardo Bonucci turned it into his own net, and almost threw away the three points, but Lorenzo Lollo miscued his strike in front of goal.
The result takes Juve to second before the late fixtures while Carpi remain 19th.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com