Juventus keep the heat on Milan

It’s full steam ahead for Del Piero and Juventus who are chasing AC Milan in the Italian league [GALLO/GETTY]

Alessandro Del Piero came off the bench to help Juventus to a 2-0 win over Inter Milan in Serie A on Sunday as Antonio Conte’s team kept the pressure on leaders AC Milan.

Inter left Martin Caceres completely unmarked to head Juventus into the lead in the 57th minute and Del Piero – who had scored in midweek against AC Milan in the cup – sealed the result in the 70th.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon pulled off a string of fantastic saves in the first half to keep his side level in the hotly contested match, known as Italy’s Derby.

Milan, who beat Roma 2-1 on Saturday, lead second-placed Juventus by four points.

Inter slip to eighth and have now won just one of their past 10 league games.

Inter could have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Maicon picked out Diego Milito, but Buffon got down well to block the Argentinian’s 15-yard shot.

Juventus should have gone in front moments later when Caceres lifted the ball into the area but Alessandro Matri headed straight at Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Buffon pulled off a brilliant save to deny Diego Forlan at point-blank range and then minutes later did well again to keep out Milito’s effort from a similar position.

Juventus took the lead seconds after Julio Cesar had tipped Claudio Marchisio’s cross over the bar. The Inter defence went missing as they left Caceres – who was having a brilliant game – all alone in the area to head home Andrea Pirlo’s corner.

Mirko Vucinic should have doubled Juve’s lead when he found himself one on one with Julio Cesar but fired straight at the Inter goalkeeper.

Juve did seal the game moments later when Arturo Vidal threaded the ball through for Del Piero to race onto and drill into the bottom left corner.

It could have been worse for Inter as Giorgio Chiellini sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal for Fabio Quagliarella but Maicon slid in in the nick of time to clear his effort off the line.