Del Piero double sinks Siena

By Paolo Corradini

Two second-half goals from Alessandro Del Piero helped Juventus FC to an impressive win against AC Siena that temporarily stretched the Turin side's lead at the top of Serie A to six points.

Quick goals
With the other top teams playing tomorrow, Juventus capitalised on the chance to put daylight between themselves and nearest rivals AC Milan with three goals in ten minutes at the start of the second half. Del Piero put the visitors ahead on 53 minutes with a simple side-footed effort, before doubling the lead with a shot from distance on the hour.

Camoranesi header
The Juventus captain then helped ensure the three points with a left-wing free-kick that Mauro Camoranesi headed in. Until then, Siena had looked a composed outfit, although they struggled to break down a resilient Juve defence, but the goals finished the game as a contest.

Pazzini opener
At the other end of the table, winless Atalanta BC remained in the relegation zone after a 2-2 draw against Cagliari Calcio at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Gianluca Pazzini gave the home side a perfect start when he found the net with a lovely volley after just two minutes, but Cagliari levelled ten minutes later when Gianfranco Zola's pass found the unmarked Mauro Esposito, who made no mistake from close range.

Sublime volley
Simone Loria then added the second on 29 minutes with another simple finish. However, Atalanta's Riccardo Montolivo equalised in spectacular fashion with a sublime 20-metre volley five minutes before the interval, and although Cagliari's Massimo Brambilla was shown a second yellow card on 50 minutes, the home side were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.