AC Milan surged up to joint second in Serie A thanks to Filippo Inzaghi's hat-trick in a 5-1 home thrashing of lowly Torino on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti's in-form side moved level with Juventus on 64 points but are still 10 behind leaders Inter Milan with just six games left in the season.
Stuttering Juve drew 1-1 at home with Inter on Saturday and Milan quickly made sure they took advantage, Inzaghi nodding in David Beckham's corner after 13 minutes.
Beckham, returning to the starting lineup after two games on the bench, caused havoc and Inzaghi soon flicked in another of his crosses with fourth-bottom Torino completely powerless.
Inzaghi, 35, converted Ronaldinho's pass in the second half before Kaka netted a penalty, Ivan Franceschini grabbed a consolation and Massimo Ambrosini finished off a good move.
Ancelotti, linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid, had been warned by club bosses that third place was the minimum requirement after limping in fifth last season.
Second spot now looks a distinct possibility with the San Siro meeting with Juve on May 10 especially important given head-to-head records separate teams on the same points.
Fiorentina wasted the chance to climb into the fourth Champions League qualifying spot when they lost 3-1 at Udinese.
Fourth-placed Genoa's 1-0 defeat by Lazio on Saturday had opened the door for the Florence club but Udinese, knocked out of the UEFA Cup on Thursday, secured a comfortable victory with midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino scoring twice.
Fiorentina in fifth stay two points adrift of Genoa.
Sixth-placed AS Roma moved five behind Genoa after beating second-bottom Lecce 3-2 thanks to Francesco Totti's brace.
Bologna remain third-bottom, two above Lecce, after succumbing 4-1 at Europa League hopefuls Palermo in a poor first game in charge for Giuseppe Papadopulo.
Bottom side Reggina though boosted their outside hopes of survival with a deserved 1-0 win at home specialists Atalanta.
Fabio Ceravolo struck in the first half for the Reggio Calabria side, who are four adrift of Torino and safety.