AC Milan took what could ultimately be a decisive step towards their first Scudetto since 1999 as they won 2-0 at Bologna to go five points clear at the top of Serie A on Sunday.

Bologna midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata of Japan, left, is pursued by AC Milan Portuguese soccer star Manuel Rui Costa during their Italian first division soccer match at the Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. AC Milan won, 2-0. [AP]

Roma slipped up by losing 1-0 at Brescia on Saturday and the Rossoneri took full advantage as they negotiated a tricky-looking fixture at the Stadio Dall'Ara.

Andriy Shevchenko put Carlo Ancelotti's team in front with his 16th Serie A goal of the season early in the game, and substitute Jon Dahl Tomasson sealed victory in the dying seconds for the European champions.

Juventus ensured next weekend's clash with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico will be even more eagerly-anticipated than usual as the champions defeated Chievo 1-0 to pull level with Fabio Capello's team in second place.

Once again the Bianconeri were not at their best, and had Mauro Camoranesi's 10th-minute strike to thank as they nonetheless claimed all three points.

But the statistic that will have pleased boss Marcello Lippi the most is undoubtedly the zero in the goals conceded column.

Lippi blasted his team's defending in their 3-3 draw at struggling Empoli last weekend, but the silver-haired coach would have been far happier with his side's performance at the back against Chievo.

In the race for Champions League places, Lazio and Parma could only manage disappointing draws.

The cash-strapped Romans, looking to rebuild following the sale of midfielder Dejan Stankovic, took the lead in the 11th minute of their home fixture against Sampdoria through Stefano Fiore's goal.

But Fabio Bazzani - the most prolific home-grown striker in Italy's top flight along with Roma's Francesco Totti - equalised with his 11th of the season four minutes after the break, and that was the way it stayed.

Parma had nothing more than a 2-2 draw at struggling Perugia to show for their efforts, with all the goals coming in the first half.

The Grifoni have yet to win in the league this season but they took the lead against the financially-stricken Emilians thanks to veteran Dario Hubner.

But two goals inside three minutes from Domenico Morfeo and Alberto Gilardino turned the game on its head, before Brazilian wing-back Ze Maria squared it up again three minutes before half-time from the penalty spot.

Marco Marchionni then missed a late spot-kick for Parma following an incident that saw home defender Vangelis Nastos sent off as the match ended level.

Brazilian striker Adriano began his second spell at Inter in great style with a brace as the Nerazzurri crushed Siena 4-0 at the San Siro.

Alvaro Recoba was also on target twice as Alberto Zaccheroni's side romped to a surprisingly easy win.

Recoba it was who opened the scoring with a brilliant strike midway through the first half.

Adriano, recently signed from Parma, doubled the advantage four minutes after the interval and a Recoba penalty on 67 made it 3-0.

Adriano's second 12 minutes from time rounded off the scoring.

Udinese stole a march on Sampdoria in the bid to earn a UEFA Cup spot for next season, Italy Under-21 striker Vincenzo Iaquinta netting two minutes into stoppage time to give Luciano Spalletti's men a 1-0 victory over a hard-working Modena side.

At the other end of the table, Ancona look doomed as their 2-0 home defeat against Lecce left them still winless and 13 points adrift of safety.

Goals from Lecce's Javier Chevanton and Axel Konan ensured new Ancona boss Giovanni Galeone began his reign at the Stadio Del Conero with a defeat.

In addition to Roma's shock defeat there was one other Serie A fixture on Saturday.

Reggina won the battle of the strugglers with a 2-0 home success over Empoli.

Reggina's goals both came from the penalty spot, Francesco Cozza netting after 49 minutes and David Di Michele in the dying minutes.

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