One step closer to second place (Juventus)

Mission accomplished. After Udinese, Juventus beat Roma too and have earned maximum points from the two games against their rivals for a place in Europe. The game at the Olimpico was decided by Del Piero, who earned a vital win for the team: his masterpiece free kick after 45 minutes ensured three golden points, allowing the team to close the gap with Roma to only one point. Second place would mean qualifying directly to the Champions League without going through the qualifiers.

On a day when Inter Milan won again and AC Milan drew at Parma, the win achieved by the Bianconeri is worth double. With the Champions League now coming back, and Inter Milan, Roma and AC Milan busy with those games, the chances for Juve to climb the table increase dramatically.

It was a memorable evening for the Olimpico crowd. Juventus won for the first time against true top-level rivals and confirmed they like playing against Spalletti's team, as they've now beaten them twice this year and earned a draw away from home against them too. Now it's time for Reggina: Juve will pay them a visit next Saturday, before the two matches in five days against Torino and Fiorentina.

TIM 2007/08 Serie A - Day 23
Turin, Olimpico Stadium. Saturday February 16 2008, 8.30 pm

JUVENTUS-ROMA 1-0 (1-0)
GOAL: Del Piero 45 mins.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi (Nocerino 46 mins), Zanetti, Nedved (Palladino 82 mins); Iaquinta, Del Piero, Trezeguet (Sissoko 68 mins). Subs not used: Belardi, Grygera, Salihamidzic, Tiago. Manager: Ranieri.
ROMA: Doni; Cassetti, Ferrari, Mexes, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro (Aquilani 72 mins); Taddei (Giuly 60 mins), Perrotta (Esposito 82 mins), Mancini; Totti. Subs not used: Zotti, Panucci, Cicinho, Brighi. Manager: Spalletti.
REFEREE: Saccani from Mantova.
YELLOW CARDS: Mexes 39 mins, Chiellini 56 mins, Nocerino 85 mins.
NOTES: attendance 21,139 (€ 542.305,28 takings).