Rome - Defender Fabio Grosso late Sunday notched a crucial winner for Juventus in a lacklustre 1-0 win over guests Udinese that kept the Turin side within five points of Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Reigning champions Inter won 3-1 at Bologna Saturday, when promoted Parma upset hosting Fiorentina 3-2, while third-place AC Milan Sunday beat visiting Cagliari 4-3 in the weekend's most spectacular game.
At Turin's Stadio Olimpico, Brazil play-maker Diego tried to set a fast pace for Juve when he called Samir Handanovic to deflect his smashing shot that was then cleared by the defence as Amauri lurked for a tap-in.
The Slovenian goalkeeper on 12 minutes blocked another drive from Sebastian Giovinco, but the Juve's attacks gradually lost steam due to the slippery pitch and the careful defence from Udinese.
The guests from Udine had international Antonio Di Natale suspended and played a largely defensive game with Antonio Floro Flores as lone striker.
Juve often lacked precision and did little else in the first half save a fast but uneventful shot by Mauro Camoranesi on 30 minutes.
The international winger triggered Juve's lead on 51 minutes with a low feed for a winning volley from Grosso, who left Juve's rear package and was left unmarked inside the area.
Veteran Alessandro Del Piero came on after Juve's goal to end a two-month absence, but provided little support upfront as Udinese went after an equalizer switching to a three-pronged attack.
The recovered Mohamed Sissokho came on along with Del Piero to provide support in midfield, but the home fans had several chances to worry until the whistle as they witnessed some panicking from Juve's defence.
Earlier Sunday, Roma captain Francesco Totti scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 drubbing of promoted Bari as he too returned after an injury lay-off and drew level with top-striker Di Natale on nine goals.
Sampdoria are fourth after a 2-1 win against 10-man Chievo, who played half game without the red-carded Brazilian Luciano.
Lowly Livorno clinched a last-gasp 2-1 win over Genoa, but remain third from last level on points with Atalanta, Bologna and Lazio, who drew 0-0 at Napoli.
Palermo and Catania drew 1-1 in a Sicily derby and Atalanta won 2-0 at bottom-side Siena.
