Serie A wrap: Lazio close gap on Juve

Juventus’ lead at the top of the table was cut to just three points after Lazio cruised to victory in Serie A action on Sunday.

The defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw at Parma, a result that saw their advantage reduced as Lazio defeated 10-man Atalanta 2-0.

After an extremely stretched first half, Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half.

From the top of the box, the Italian international unleashed a free-kick inside the wall and a deflection off Jonathan Biabiany helped guide the visitors into a 52nd-minute lead.

Antonio Conte’s men appeared happy to defend their one-goal advantage but a lack of urgency cost them in the 78th minute as substitute Nicola Sansone secured a point for Parma.

Juventus are now winless in two league games and a solitary win ahead of Lazio, who extended their unbeaten streak to nine games thanks to a second-half strike from Sergio Floccari and a Davide Brivio own goal.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Champions League hopefuls Napoli powered past lowly Palermo 3-0 at the Stadio San Paolo.

Goals from Christian Maggio, Gokhan Inler and Lorenzo Insigne handed Napoli their third win on the bounce, consolidating third position in the process.

Catania clinched a 1-0 win over Roma, who were without Daniele De Rossi, Francesco Totti, Pablo Osvaldo or Miralem Pjanic and Fiorentina’s hopes of European football took a hit after Udinese earned a 3-1 win courtesy of Antonio Di Natale’s two-goal performance.

Torino moved clear of the relegation zone with an entertaining 3-2 victory over bottom side Siena, while Cagliari snapped a nine-game losing streak following their 2-1 triumph at home to fellow strugglers Genoa.

More to follow….