Alessandro Del Piero's stoppage-time spot-kick prevented Juventus' first defeat at Catania in 43 years after Gionatha Spinesi's splendid volley. Empoli hosted Reggina to a 1-1 draw in Tuscany.

Gionatha Spinesi scored a cracking goal, as he sprung the offside trap to volley in Giuseppe Mascara's cross with the outside of his right foot. There were suspicions of offside, but no doubts about the quality of the finish under the bar from six yards.

Alessandro Del Piero was incorrectly flagged offside when one-on-one with Ciro Polito from David Trezeguet's through ball, then Polito got a hand to another Del Piero effort - this time stopped correctly for offside.

It was a very open game and Biagianti's stop and volley was charged down bravely by Legrottaglie's face. Tension increased before the break when Giorgio Chiellini had penalty appeals for a clash with Vargas as a free kick was floated in.

Tiago Mendes' horrible mistake allowed Spinesi to run on goal and some more brave defending saw the finish deflected over the bar. Trezeguet wasted a good chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time, as he anticipated Pavel Nedved to nod Del Piero's cross wide. Hasan Salihamidzic also turned a header over from a Del Piero free kick.

Marco Marchionni replaced Tiago for the second half, moving Nedved to central midfield. Del Piero combined with Nedved, but the Czech's pass for Marchionni was over-hit.

A spectacular Del Piero overhead kick from Marchionni's cross was not far over the crossbar, but Mascara had a good chance smothered by Buffon. Del Piero aimed a looping header inches past the far post from Cristiano Zanetti's cross, as Juve were laying siege to the Catania net.

Nedved's volley was charged down by Christian Silvestri and another Del Piero header threatened. Catania were under pressure, but introduced star striker Martinez for a trident attack.

Raffaele Palladino replaced Nedved, but he wasted a golden opportunity when Polito missed the ball and the Under-21 international ballooned over the bar.

Vincenzo Iaquinta was the final gamble to get a point from the Stadio Massimino, so Catania striker Mascara turned into a makeshift defender to clear Del Piero's cross off the head of an unmarked Iaquinta.

Trezeguet turned a header into the ground that bounced off target, while at the other end Martinez drilled just wide from distance.

With 30 seconds left of normal time, Palladino sparked a counter and Del Piero was tripped from behind by Biagianti, although it is possible he might've got a touch to the ball. The referee pointed to the spot. Curiously, last season Polito saved a penalty from Del Piero when he was with Serie B side Pescara. Alex stepped up and sent Polito the wrong way to draw Juventus level.

Catania: Polito; Silvestri, Terlizzi, Stovini, Vargas; Edusei, Izco, Biagianti; Colucci (Martinez 67), Mascara, Spinesi (Tedesco 88)

Juventus: Buffon; Molinaro, Chiellini, Legrottaglie, Salihamidzic (Iaquinta 81); Nocerino, Tiago (Marchionni 46), Zanetti, Nedved (Palladino 76); Del Piero, Trezeguet

Luca Saudati saw his penalty saved as Empoli could only earn a 1-1 home draw with Reggina.

Empoli were shaken, but got straight back on level terms when Cirillo made a disastrous debut. He tripped Antonio Busce' and Luca Saudati converted the penalty to equalise.

Saudati then dribbled past the hapless Cirillo and fired just over the bar, while Sebastian Giovinco was causing all sorts of problems down the left flank.

On 15 minutes the referee pointed to the penalty spot again, once more Cirillo came in with a clumsy sliding challenge on Saudati. The striker got back up for his second penalty and aimed for the same corner, but this time Andrea Campagnolo was ready for him and parried.

The pitch was in dismal condition due to the heavy rainfall in Tuscany and Missiroli failed to get enough power on a cutback for his teammates when clear on goal, losing his footing in a puddle.

Campagnolo fingertipped Busce's header from a corner out from under the crossbar, Marianini volleyed another set play just wide and Guillermo Giacomazzi's header was off target.

Saudati stung Campagnolo's palms from distance as Empoli were taking control, so Reggina gave Uruguayan Christian Stuani his Serie A debut. Within seconds the visitors had a rare shot on goal, as Balli got down brilliantly to turn a Ciccio Cozza strike round the post after combining with Missiroli.

Stuani had a fantastic introduction to Italian fans, creating one chance and very nearly netting a second within the first three minutes of stepping on to the field, as Balli stuck out a foot to parry his low drive from another Missiroli assist.

Empoli substitute Abate's angled drive skimmed the far post after he dispossessed Cozza. Reggina boss Renzo Ulivieri was sent off for dissent yet again on 70 minutes, the third time since he took over the team.

The home side had appeals for a third penalty waved away as Luca Tognozzi's handling offence was considered involuntary. Luca Antonini also had a long-range effort parried and deep into stoppages Vannucchi's free kick was dealt with effectively.

The game ended with the first official 'terzo tempo', a new mandatory ruling in Serie A that forces the two teams to shake hands in the centre circle after the final whistle. It is an almost identical move to before kick-off, when both sides line up to exchange salutations.

Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Marzoratti, Vanigli (Abate 46), Antonini; Buscè, Marianini, Giacomazzi (Tosto 66); Vannucchi, Giovinco (Pozzi 73); Saudati

Reggina: Novakovic; Lanzaro, Valdez, Cirillo; Vigiani, Barreto, Cascione (Tognozzi 72), Cozza, Modesto; Missiroli; Ceravolo (Stuani 59)

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