A quickfire brace from Giovanni Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, opened up the Serie A title race on Sunday as Genoa claimed a stunning 3-1 win over leaders Juventus.

Juve's third defeat of a season in which they are hoping to secure a record sixth consecutive 'scudetto' left the Turin giants just four points ahead of on-form AC Milan, with several other challengers close behind.

Juventus travelled to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium without a number of key players, with forwards Paulo Dybala and Marko Pjaca and defender Andrea Barzagli notably all in the treatment room.

Experienced defender Giorgio Chiellini was on the bench recovering from a knock, meaning an inhabitual start in the back three for Swiss wing-back Stephan Lichtsteiner.

With Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain in the same straits due to a muscle problem, coach Massimiliano Allegri was forced to play attacking midfielder Juan Cuadrado up front alongside Mario Mandzukic.

Genoa -- who stunned Juve 1-0 at home two seasons ago when Antonio Conte was still in charge of the Turin giants -- sensed an upset, and were 2-0 up by the 13th minute thanks to a fine Simeone double.

After Gianluigi Buffon parried a Luca Rigoni drive and Lucas Ocampos’s follow-up effort, Simeone pounced to beat the 'keeper.

When Simeone was left unmarked on the edge of the box by Mehdi Benatia, it left the 21-year-old free to get down low and direct a diving header past Buffon, although Darko Lazovic deserved plenty of credit for turning Alex Sandro inside out prior to the cross.