TURIN, Italy : Juventus' title hopes suffered a blow in a 1-0 home defeat by lowly Udinese in Serie A on Monday after defender Lautaro Giannetti scored in the first half to leave Massimiliano Allegri's side winless for a third consecutive game.

The loss leaves Juve in second place on 53 points, seven points adrift of Inter Milan, who have a game in hand, and a point ahead of third-placed AC Milan.

Udinese took the lead against the run of play in the 25th minute when Giannetti capitalised on a defensive error to net on the half-volley from close range after a free kick.

Juve thought they had equalised on the hour following a corner but the effort was disallowed because Federico Chiesa's cross went out of play.