Juventus extend lead

BOLOGNA beat Sampdoria 2-1 yesterday, allowing European champions Juventus to stake their claim to this season's Italian league title.

Juventus, who were 2-0 winners over Vicenza on Saturday, have now extended their lead at the top of the Serie A from five to seven points, and lined up their second championship trophy in three seasons.

Juventus are top with 44 points from 22 matches, ahead of Inter Milan and a rejuvenated Parma on 37 points, with Sampdoria pegged back on 36 and slipping from second place to fourth.

Vincenzo Montella notched his 14th goal of the season for Sampdoria, heading home from close range. But Igor Kolyvanov made it 1-1 soon after the re-start and the Russian striker followed up with an 89th minute winner.

England's Paul Ince scored twice as Inter beat Piacenza 3-0 on Saturday night, while Parma's fine run continued yesterday with a 3-2 win over relegation strugglers Cagliari.

French defender Lilian Thuram and 21-year-old Argentine striker Heinan Crespo were Parma's heroes of the day. Thuram scored his first goal in Italy since arriving this season from Monaco firing home in the 16th minute after striker Enrico Chiesa had floated a free-kick into the area.

The Frenchman then set up the second heading towards goal from a Chiesa corner in first-half injury time and Crespo finished it off to make it 2-0. Crespo added the third in the 50th minute.

Sandro Tovalieri scored twice towards the end for Cagliari, while Chiesa missed a late penalty for Parma.

Struggling AC Milan drew 1-1 with AS Roma at San Siro, with evergreen Pietro Vierchowod, who turns 38 next month, opening the scoring. However, Uruguayan substitute Daniel Fonseca had only been on the pitch five minutes when he headed in Roma's 75th minute equaliser.

Another of Milan's veterans, skipper Franco Baresi, who will be 37 in May, made a slice of Italian footballing history yesterday. Baresi's 520th match equalled the all-time record for league appearances set by Giampiero Ceccarelli for Cesena between 1967 and 1985.