Italian champions Juventus became one step ahead of retaining their Serie A title after beating Palermo 2-1 on Sunday while second-place AC Milan kept the race open to the final day as they edged Parma 3-2. At the Stadio Delle Alpi, Czech Republic international Pavel Nedved put Juventus ahead in the fist half before Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubled the lead after the interval. Denis Godeas pulled one back for the visitors shortly after but it was not enough to hand his side a precious draw. Juve are now in pole position to secure their second successive title, as they sit on top of the Serie A table with 88 points, three ahead of second-place Milan with one game to go. The Bianconeri could lose the title only if they suffered a defeat to Reggina next week and Milan, who have the better head-to-head record, win against Roma. Nedved grabbed the lead in the 31st minute after he fired a close-range shot which nipped in between the legs of Palermo keeper Federico Agliardi. Ibrahimovic added the second six minutes after re-start when he went face-to-face with Palermo keeper before drilling a low shot into the net, his first goal more than two months.
Kaka Godeas narrowed the gap in the 62nd minute after he fired a powerful drive past Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Elsewhere, Milan kept their title hopes alive following a 3-2 win over Parma at Ennio Tardini venue. Milan went to the lockers with a two-goal lead after Brazilian duo Ricardo Kaka and Marcus Cafu scored in the 29th and 43rd minutes. Bernardo Corradi pulled one back in the 53rd minute but Clarence Seedorf killed off the opponents' hopes of returning to the game just two minutes later. Corradi was on the score sheet again as he scored the consolation three minutes from time. In other matches, Lazio crushed Ascoli 4-1, Fiorentina thrashed Reggina 5-2, Inter Milan tied Siena 1-1, Empoli beat Messina 2-1. Roma edged Treviso 1-0, Livorno held by Sampdoria 0-0, Udinese defeated Cagliari 2-0 and Chievo were held to a goalless draw with Lecce.
