Italy round-up: Juventus closing in on title

Juventus FC moved to within touching distance of the Serie A championship with a 0-0 draw at S.S. Lazio, and need only a win at home to AC Perugia next week to secure their 27th league title.

Clear favourites
Juventus maintained their eight-point advantage at the top of the table as second-placed Internazionale FC were also held, drawing 1-1 at Atalanta BC, and with just three games to go Marcello Lippi's side are clear favourites.

Lazio on top
Juventus began knowing that victory against Lazio would secure the title should Inter fail to defeat Atalanta, but the home side were on top throughout the game, with Massimo Oddo and César Rodrigues both going close in the first period.

Penalty save
Argentina international striker Claudio López also missed two good opportunities before half-time, but Lazio's best chance arrived six minutes from the end, only for Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to save Stefano Fiore’s penalty kick.

Early advantage
Inter took the lead against Atalanta after just 13 minutes, as Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins ran on to a long ball from Domenico Morfeo and shot past Atalanta goalkeeper Alex Calderoni.

Late drama
However, the home side equalised in the 71st minute as Davor Vugrinec's deflected low shot was parried by Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo and Carmine Gautieri took advantage of the loose ball to score. Inter nearly earned all three points in the closing stages, but Calderoni produced a spectacular save to keep out Nelson Vivas' diving header.

Como relegated
AC Milan moved to within two points of Inter ahead of their midweek meeting in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, securing a 2-0 win at home to Como Calcio. A tenth-minute penalty from Filippo Inzaghi and an Alessandro Nesta goal a minute before the hour condemned Como to a defeat that sealed their relegation after a single season in the top flight.

Torino slip into Serie B
Como will be joined in Serie B by Torino Calcio, who slipped to their third relegation in the past eight seasons with a 1-0 defeat at home to Udinese Calcio, with Vincenzo Iaquinta scoring the only goal of the game nine minutes from time.

Chievo closing in
AC Chievo Verona moved into fith place, three points behind Lazio, with a 3-1 win at home to Piacenza FC. Eusebio Di Francesco gave the away side the lead two minutes into the second half, but two goals in two minutes from Ivone De Franceschi turned the match in Chievo's favour, and a third from Sasa Bjelanovic sealed the win.

Unexpected three points
Goals from Michele Paramatti and Tomas Locatelli gave Bologna FC a surprise 2-1 win at Parma AC, with the home side's goal coming from Adrian Mutu. Parma slipped to sixth following the defeat.

Away victory
Elsewhere, AS Roma were 3-2 winners at Reggina Calcio, Modena FC drew 1-1 at home to Empoli FC, while the match between Perugia and Brescia Calcio ended goalless.