Milan power past Pescara, Juve march on

AC Milan swept aside relegated Pescara Calcio 4-0 to close in on a top-three finish in Serie A on a day when Juventus prevailed 1-0 at Atalanta BC.

The contest in Pescara was nine minutes old when Mario Balotelli struck from the spot. Sulley Muntari took receipt of Robinho's free-kick and finished unerringly to make it two and Mathieu Flamini put the result beyond doubt after half-time. Balotelli added the final flourish, turning inside the area and slamming high into the roof of the net. 

As for the champions, they made it nine victories in a row thanks to Alessandro Matri's 18th-minute winner in Bergamo, while second-placed SSC Napoli dispatched hosts Bologna FC 3-0. Elsewhere, Udinese Calcio edged out US Città di Palermo 3-2 to climb into fifth and plunge the home side deeper into the relegation mire. S.S. Lazio are two points back in sixth after overwhelming FC Internazionale Milano 3-1 at San Siro. 

At the bottom end of the table, the game between Torino FC and Genoa CFC finished goalless, while AC Siena must conjure something special to wriggle free of the relegation noose after succumbing 1-0 at home to fourth-placed ACF Fiorentina. Meanwhile, Parma FC won 1-0 at Cagliari Calcio.