Juventus won 2-0 at Lazio on Friday to extend their winning run in Serie A to five matches thanks to an early own goal from Santiago Gentiletti and a glorious Paulo Dybala effort.
After a tricky start to the season, the champions have improved dramatically, and moved level on 27 points with fourth-placed Roma after a comfortable victory over lacklustre Lazio.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side are now just four points behind leaders Napoli, having played a game more, and are firmly in the title race following a fine run.
Second-placed Inter Milan host Genoa on Saturday, while Roma are at Torino. Leaders Napoli visit lowly Bologna on Sunday.
Juve took the lead in the seventh minute when Dybala drilled a ball across the face of goal and Lazio centre back Gentiletti, struggling to adjust his body position, deflected it past goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
Dybala added a second in the 32nd minute with an act of individual brilliance. The Argentina international flicked up Mario Mandzukic's pass, juggled the ball on his knee and slammed a 20-metre volley into the far corner of Marchetti’s goal.
It was an under-strength Juve side that took to the field at the Stadio Olimpico, with influential midfielders Sami Khedira and Paul Pogba missing through injury and suspension respectively.
Despite the absentees, the visitors started well while the home side were one-paced in attack and failed to deal with Juve's intense pressing game.
“We are still fourth or fifth despite this excellent run of form and, considering the stature of Juventus, it’s not enough,” Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon told Mediaset Premium.
“We’ve still got to hold out until the end of December and remain focused,” added Allegri.
“I don’t care who is ahead of us in the table, the fact remains if we don’t get a certain number of points, we’re out of the running (for the title).”
Lazio heads dropped after Dybala added the second goal and chances were few and far between after the break, as Juventus kept the ball from their opponents effectively and the hosts grew increasingly ill-tempered.
Lazio have now lost five of their last six games and remain in 10th place on 19 points.
But under-pressure Lazio coach Stefano Pioli said he will not 'desert the sinking ship' following the defeat on Friday.
But the decision may well be taken out of his hands with Marcello Lippi spotted at the Stadio Olimpico.
Defeat to Juventus was Lazio’s fifth loss in their last six league matches and prompted captain Lucas Biglia to burstinto tears at the final whistle.
"I will not resign," Pioli assured the media.
"I am primarily responsible for this, but I won't desert the sinking ship.
"It's inevitable that we're losing confidence considering these results," he continued.
"Just as victories fire you up, negative results bring you down. We can't do anything about this performance, but we can change our future."
