Juventus edged closer to the Serie A title on Monday when they beat Lazio 2-0 to move 11 points clear at the top.
Bayern Munich showed Juventus that they have a bit to go before they can compete with the best sides in Europe, they remain the dominant force in Italian football.
It took Juve only eight minutes to take the lead in Rome. Lorik Cana was adjudged to have brought down Mirko Vučinić and Arturo Vidal sent Federico Marchetti the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic lamented the penalty decision.
“At the start we dominated,” he said. “Then we complicated matters by giving away the penalty.
“Juve then took advantage of a goalscoring chance, but they have to be congratulated for the victory.”
Antonio Conte’s side doubled their advantage just before the half hour, Vučinić’s splendid flick finding its way to Vidal, who poked past Marchetti. Cana miscued Lazio’s best chance of the opening period, though Juve had further openings of their own, Claudio Marchisio and Vidal both denied by last-ditch defensive blocks.
Lazio had opportunities in the second half to get back into the game but Michaël Ciani was thwarted by Gianluigi Buffon, while Libor Kozák headed into the ground having been picked out at the back post by Ederson.
However, Juve should also have added to their own tally, Marchisio scuffing the rebound after Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick had been parried by Marchetti.
So with only six games to go, Juventus are now 11 points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A and could wrap up the title before the end of the month,
Lazio, on the other hand, despite losing seven of their last 11 league matches, remain in fifth position level on 51 points with city rivals Roma, though ahead thanks to a better head-to-head record.
