Inter Milan lead in Italian Serie A, Napoli close, Juventus in crisis

With nine matches left to play, Inter Milan are dreaming of retaining their Italian top-flight title following a profitable weekend of action.

Champions Inter, delivered a top display to beat title-chasing rivals Atalanta 2-0 on Sunday, extending their lead over second-placed Napoli to three points.

Playing away from home at a hostile Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Inter took all three points thanks to efforts from Carlos Augusto and Lautaro Martinez.

Second place Napoli could only manage a 0-0 draw at a robust Venezia and they will be relieved with a point following a splendid display from the home side.

"We did what we were supposed to do today, but when you create so many chances you have to score. And the opportunities they had mostly came from our errors." Napoli coach Antonio Conte told DAZN Sport.

Atalanta remain third and are now six points behind Inter.

Bologna cemented fourth spot following a 5-0 demolition of Lazio also Sunday, where five different scorers registered for the home side at the Renato Dall'ara Stadium.

Juventus and Thiago Motta are in deep trouble after a second heavy defeat is as many weeks, with coach Motta looking increasingly unlikely to still be in charge come the start of next season according to reports in Italian media.

The Turin giants were poor versus eighth-placed Fiorentina who took full advantage of a lackluster Juve side to win big, 3-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Robin Gosens and Rolando Mandragora put Fiorentina two up inside 18 minutes before Albert Gudmundsson made sure of the points seven minutes after the break with a thunderous shot.

Fiorentina remain eighth with 48 points one ahead of the struggling AC Milan.

Monza, who drew 1-1 with Parma on Saturday remain rock bottom with 15 points.

Venezia in 19th have 20 points, while Como who are coached by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas are 13th with 29 points, seven off the drop zone.

The league takes a two-week break as concentration now shifts to World Cup qualification.