Juventus strengthened their hold on the Serie A title race with a 2-1 win at Inter.
Juventus strengthened their hold on the Serie A title race with a 2-1 win at closest rivals Internazionale.Juve came into the game protecting a nine-point lead and they increased their advantage after claiming a late victory.
Alessandro Del Piero proved to be the hero for the Old Lady of Italian football, as he netted a late free kick to claim the points.
Inter took the game to Juve from the off and thought they had taken the lead in the first half when Adriano stroked home a sumptuous free kick, but his effort was chalked off, as the award was indirect yet the Brazilian struck direct for goal.
The home side were rocked onto their heels on 63 minutes as Zlatan Ibrahimovic stole in at the far post to slot home a cross from Mauro Camoranesi.
Inter rallied and drew level 15 minutes from time, as Walter Samuel rose above Patrick Vieira to head home a corner.
Fabio Capello summoned talisman Del Piero from the bench and he did not disappoint, as he flashed home a fantastic free kick five minutes from time.
Gianluigi Buffon ensured the points were taken back to Turin when he pushed an Alvaro Recoba free kick onto the bar in injury time.
Filippo Inzaghi helped himself to a hat-trick, as Milan thumped Reggina 4-1.
The Rossoneri had to come from a goal down to win after Carlos Paredes gave Reggina the lead after just ten minutes.
The lead proved short-lived as Inzaghi equalised for Milan just three minutes later and Alberto Gilardino fired them in front before half time with a flying header.
Inzaghi grabbed his second of the contest on 54 minutes and he completed his treble in the dying seconds to end a good week for Milan.
Roma continued their superb run of form with a 2-0 win at Siena.
Daniele de Rossi broke the deadlock for the Giallorossi on 70 minutes and Alessandro Mancini wrapped up the win with the second goal deep into injury time.
Carlo Mazzone marked his first game in charge of Livorno with an impressive 2-0 win over Fiorentina.
Two second half goals from Cristiano Lucarelli were enough to give Livorno the points against high-flying Fiorentina.
Lucarelli broke the deadlock on 67 minutes from the penalty spot with Dario Dainelli seeing red for Fiorentina.
Lucarelli wrapped up the win with the second goal 15 minutes from time.
Sampdoria boosted their European hopes with a 4-1 victory over Messina.
Zlatan Muslimovic stunned the home side when giving Messina the lead on 17 minutes.
Samp hit back and drew level three minutes later through Marcello Castellini.
Messina suffered a blow on 67 minutes when goalkeeper Marco Storari was sent off for a professional foul and from the resulting penalty Sergio Volpi scored to give the hosts the lead.
Substitute Max Tonetto added a third goal ten minutes from time, but Arturo Di Napoli gave Messina hope when pulling a goal back from the penalty spot a minute from time.
Salvatore Foti made sure of the win with a fourth goal for Sampdoria in injury time.
Parma picked up a precious point in their battle against relegation after a goalless draw with Ascoli at the Ennio Tardini.
Lecce remain at the bottom of the table after a goalless draw at Cagliari.
Palermo piled the misery on struggling Empoli with a late 1-0 victory at Stadio Carlo Castellani.
Andrea Barzagli netted the winner for Palermo in the final minute to dent Empoli's survival hopes after the visitors were forced to play the last 20 minutes with just ten men following the sending off of Paul Codrea.
Click on fixture for full match summary:
Cagliari 0-0 Lecce
Empoli 0-1 Palermo
Internazionale 1-2 Juventus
Livorno 2-0 Fiorentina
Parma 0-0 Ascoli
Reggina 1-4 Milan
Sampdoria 4-2 Messina
Siena 0-2 Roma
