Juventus maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-1 win over Ascoli as AC Milan suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at Sampdoria on Sunday.

Champions Juventus moved on to nine points from three matches, two ahead of Fiorentina who beat Udinese 4-2. Livorno also have seven points after their 0-0 draw with AS Roma, as do Lazio and Palermo after wins over Treviso and Siena.

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini equalled Dino Zoff's record of 570 Serie A appearances but had little else to celebrate after a defeat that left his side five points behind Juventus.

Juve's victory marked a return to form for their captain Alessandro Del Piero.

The diminutive forward, who has struggled to earn a starting place since Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival last season, produced an inspired performance, putting his team ahead with a 13th-minute penalty after midfielder Domenico Cristiano handled in the area.

Juventus dominated possession but a deflected shot by Serie A debutant Alfredo Cariello shortly after the half hour drew Ascoli level.

Del Piero re-established Juve's lead with a well struck free kick just before the break and they could have extended their lead in the second half if Ibrahimovic's finishing had been more precise.

AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino gave his side an early lead at Sampdoria and wasted a chance to double the advantage when he blasted Andriy Shevchenko's cutback high over the bar.

His wastefulness was punished in the 38th minute when Sampdoria striker Emiliano Bonazzoli turned and fired the equaliser into the top corner of Dida's net from close range.

Milan came out strongly after the interval but repeatedly ran into Sampdoria's suffocating defence and Max Tonetto grabbed the winner in the 58th minute, unleashing a powerful shot from the left that beat Dida at his near post.

CAME DOWN

Udinese have been revelling in the spotlight since their 3-0 Champions League win over Panathinaikos in midweek, but they came down to earth with a bump at Fiorentina.

Sulley Muntari's powerful drive put them ahead at the end of an edgy opening 30 minutes, but goals by Stefano Fiore and Luca Toni gave the hosts a halftime advantage.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes Vincenzo Iaquinta, who struck a hat-trick against Panathinaikos, had a goal overruled for pushing a defender.

With Udinese's players still protesting against the decision, Marco Donadel whipped in Fiorentina's third goal from a free kick. Toni then bagged his second of the game following a counter attack.

Iaquinta finally got on the scoresheet with a stoppage-time penalty, but it was too late.

Lazio beat Treviso 3-1 and Palermo won 2-1 at Siena.

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