Inter Milan increase lead in Italy

Alessandro Del Piero and Kaká scored hat-tricks for Juventus and AC Milan respectively but one goal was enough for FC Internazionale Milano to win at Torino FC and extend their lead at the top to six points.

Julio Cruz's near-post header after 30 minutes proved sufficient for Inter to profit from nearest rivals AS Roma's draw with AS Livorno Calcio on Saturday with just four games remaining. A 4-0 win at Atalanta BC all but sealed a UEFA Champions League qualifying spot for Juve, who need just a point from their remaining fixtures as confirmation. The away side took the lead after just 40 seconds in Bergamo with a Nicola Legrottaglie header. Del Piero then got his first five minutes later, hooking in David Trezeguet's knock-down. He added his second in the 34th minute and completed his hat-trick midway through the second half.

Milan stayed in touch with fourth-placed ACF Fiorentina after Kaká's treble against Reggina Calcio. The Brazilian converted penalties in the eighth and 34th minutes but Edgar Barreto's long-range effort reduced the deficit. However, Kaká's cross-shot restored the two-goal cushion and further strikes by Filippo Inzaghi (72) and Pato (89) rounded off their 5-1 win.
Reggina's loss means they are now bottom of the table on goal difference despite Empoli FC losing 2-0 at Cagliari Calcio. A ninth-minute Robert Acquafresca strike gave the Sardinian side the lead and Michele Fini finished off the away team. Elsewhere, UC Sampdoria defeated UEFA Cup berth-chasing rivals Udinese Calcio 3-0 with Claudio Bellucci scoring twice.
Calcio Catania beat S.S. Lazio 1-0 through a Gionatha Spinesi penalty in a game where the Rome side finished the game with nine men. Parma FC stayed just above the relegation zone after having three men sent off in a 2-1 home loss to SSC Napoli while Genoa CFC won 1-0 at AC Siena.