Juve denied by Floccari double

Juventus's lead at the top of Serie A was reduced to ten points after the Italian champions were held to a 2-2 draw against FC Messina Peloro while FC Internazionale Milano's draw allowed AC Milan to climb into second position with a valuable home win.

Late leveller
It looked as though Juventus had done enough to earn themselves a significant three points in Sicily despite Fabio Cannavaro's 52nd-minute dismissal for a second bookable offence after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had cancelled out Sergio Floccari's fourth-minute opener before Adrian Mutu converted a penalty nine minutes from time. However, the home side made their superior numbers count with four minutes remaining as Floccari struck again to peg the league leaders back.

Inter held
Inter began the evening in second position but failed to capitalise on Juve's slip by drawing 0-0 against an obdurate AS Livorno Calcio side. The Nerazzurri's title aspirations have been undermined by their last three matches in which they have collected just one point and coach Roberto Mancini will be hoping for an improvement in form for their Champions League first knockout round first leg visit to AFC Ajax on Wednesday, while Juventus face Werder Bremen in Germany the same night.

Milan advance
Milan, who meet FC Bayern München on Tuesday, moved into second place as a first-half penalty from Alberto Gilardino proved enough for victory against Calgiari Calcio. The relegation-threatened Sardinian side were always in contention against Carlo Ancelotti's men but the Rossoneri held on for a win that took them within ten points of Juve and two ahead of Inter.