Juventus stretched their lead in Serie A to six points thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo brace in a 2-1 win at Empoli while second-placed Napoli were held 1-1 at home by AS Roma. The following are five talking points from the weekend: MAZZARRI RAGES AGAIN OVER SENDING-OFF, VAR Torino coach Walter Mazzarri was again angry at the referee after he was sent off in the first half of his team's 1-1 draw at home to Fiorentina. He was also furious after his side had a penalty appeal turned down, claiming the referee should have at least reviewed it with the VAR. "I asked for an explanation and was sent off," said the former Napoli, Inter Milan and Watford coach. "I can't stand this arrogance of those who have power. "I've been coaching for a lifetime, I'm not a rookie... They think it's better to send Mazzarri off, that way he won't talk." "I want referees to recognise their mistakes," he added. "Why don't they use the VAR when we're playing? Udinese, Bologna, Fiorentina and now this game... it's systematic." SIMEONE DROPPED BY FIORENTINA After failing to score in his previous five games, Fiorentina striker Giovanni Simeone was dropped for the Torino game. "I wasn't completely satisfied with his recent performances and I saw players that did better than him in training during the week," said coach Stefano Pioli. "At the moment, we are not doing well in finalising the chances we create." The son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has scored twice this season. DE PAUL RESCUES UDINESE AGAIN Winger Rodrigo de Paul rescued Udinese again as he set up the first goal for Kevin Lasagna and then curled in a superb equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Genoa. The 24-year-old, who made his Argentina debut in this month's friendly against Iraq, has been involved in eight of out Udinese's 10 goals this season, scoring five and providing three assists. Udinese have nine points and are three clear of the relegation zone. FROSINONE WIN AT LAST Promoted Frosinone won their first game of the season at the tenth attempt and did it in style, beating SPAL 3-0 away. Having failed to score in their first six games, Frosinone have now managed six goals in the last two following their 3-3 draw at home to Empoli the week before. Coach Moreno Longo, who led Frosinone out of Serie B last season, thanked club president Maurizio Stirpe for keeping faith in him. "I dedicate the win to him because there are few presidents and men like him who around ready to give us support in difficult circumstances," he said. VENTURA SEES HOPE DESPITE ANOTHER CHIEVO DEFEAT Chievo slumped to their sixth defeat in a row and their second since former Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura took charge of the team, losing 2-1 at Cagliari. The Flying Donkeys have minus one point after having three points deducted for accounting irregularities although the 70-year-old insisted there were signs of hope. "We started playing at the beginning of the second half and we realised that we can create spaces and pass the ball around, also putting Cagliari in difficulty," he said. "We have seen the first concepts of a gameplan and a team." (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
