Juventus showed they are not to be ignored in the title race as they sailed to an easy 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Siena.
Hasan Salihamidzic opened the scoring in the 32nd minute before Serie A top scorer David Trezeguet added a second just before the hour mark to leave his side a point behind Roma and eight points behind runaway leaders Internazionale.
Siena were unlucky to not get all three points against Serie A high-flyers Napoli last week and despite their lowly position came into the match full of confidence.
But Juventus barely broke sweat and should have gone ahead as early as the fifth minute when Alessandro Del Piero put a tantalising cross in towards Antonio Nocerino, who missed the target from close range.
Three minutes later Pavel Nedved tried his luck from outside the area which Alexander Manninger saved easily.
And seconds later the Siena keeper had to move smartly to keep out Salihamidzic's header just as it looked likely to creep inside the right post.
The Bianconeri threatened again soon after as Nocerino headed on Cristiano Zanetti's shot to Trezeguet, but the star striker's shot from distance went well wide.
Manninger was in fine form and again kept Siena level as he reacted well to stop Cristian Molinaro's long-range effort in the 25th minute.
The hosts should have taken the lead three minutes later though as Del Piero started a great counter-attacking move which Nocerino will be disappointed he did not finish as he shot well wide from 10 yards.
But just after the half-hour mark the Bianconeri did go in front after some confusion in the Siena area saw the ball fall to Salihamidzic who did not miss from close range.
Trezeguet could have doubled their advantage on 39 minutes but the France striker sent Del Piero's cross narrowly wide from 10 yards.
The Siena defence were all at sea and they were lucky not to find themselves further behind at the break as confusion in the back four let in Nicola Legrottaglie but he missed from close range.
Juventus came out after the break determined to finish off the game and could have done so immediately after the restart as first Massimo Maccarone sent a powerful shot over the bar and then Salihamidzic headed agonisingly wide of the right post.
Tiago had a great chance to increase Juve's advantage but Manninger pulled off another stunning save to tip the Portugal midfielder's shot over the bar on 54 minutes.
But five minutes later the hosts did double their lead.
Trezeguet controlled Tiago's pass with his right heel before firing a stunning shot low into the right corner for his 13th goal of the season.
Del Piero came agonisingly close to scoring a spectacular third but he curled his 15-yard free-kick inches wide of the right post in the 67th minute.
Siena almost pulled one back on 74 minutes but Gianluigi Buffon reacted well to keep out Simone Loria's powerful header.
And the Juventus keeper showed exactly why he is often called the best keeper in the world as he pulled off a superb save to keep out Valerio Bertotto's great free-kick from the edge of the area which had seemed destined for the back of the net.
Source : www.sportinglife.com
