Juvetus miss chance to stretch lead, Lazio lose to relegation-threatened Lecce

ROME -- Italian Serie A defending champions Juventus lost the chance to move 10 points clear at the top of the standings after they were defeated 4-2 by AC Milan on Tuesday. Lazio, ranked second currently, lost 2-1 to relegation-threatened Lecce.

Juventus dominated the first half. However, both sides failed to score. Juventus opened the scoring in the 47th minute by French international Adrien Rabiot's left-footed shot, which was his first Serie A goal. Six minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the advantage.

However, Milan turned the match around in the space of five minutes. Ibrahimovic converted a penalty in the 62nd minute following Leonardo Bonucci's handball. Then came quick-fire goals from Franck Kessie and substitute Rafael Leao. Milan scored their fourth in the 80th minute by Croatian international Ante Rebic.

Juve remain on track for a ninth straight title, sitting seven points clear of Lazio with seven matches remaining.

Earlier Tuesday, Lazio were beaten 2-1 at relegation-threatened Lecce. Lazio's defender Patric was dismissed in injury time for biting Lecce's Giulio Donati.

Lazio's strikers Felipe Caicedo put his team in the lead in the fifth minute, while Lecce equalized the game on the half-hour mark with a header from Senegalese forward Khouma Babacar. Lecce was awarded a penalty for a controversial handball against Patric, but Mancosu's shot went over the crossbar.

Lecce center-back Fabio Lucioni headed in a corner to give the home team a shock lead in the 47th minute.

The win helped Lecce end a six-match losing streak and climb out of the relegation zone.