Inter Milan edged out Treviso 1-0 on Wednesday to close the gap with Italian champions Juventus who were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Chievo in Serie A action. Argentine striker Julio Cruz scored a 22nd minute goal to help Inter clinch a hard fought victory that raised their point tally to 45 points in second place, 8 behind pace setters Juventus. Juve were stunned by a Daniele Franceschini's 21st minute opener from Franco Semioli's cross. Nine minutes later Frenchman Patrick Vieira put the 28-times Italian champions at level with a brilliant header. Elsewhere, AS Roma beat Reggina 3-1 thanks to a brace from skipper Francesco Totti and a late goal by Brazilian winger Mancini. In other matches, AC Milan scrapped past Ascoli with a 1-0 win, Palermo beat Parma 4-2, Empoli and Messina held Udinese and Lazio respectively to a 1-1 draw, Sampdoria beat Fiorentina 3-1, Lecce held Livorno to a goalless draw and Cagliari beat Siena 1-0.
