Turin (Italy) (AFP)

Eight points ahead with four days to go: by beating Lazio Rome 2-1 on Monday thanks to a brace from Ronaldo, Juventus took a very big step towards a ninth straight Serie A title.

Depending on the results of its pursuers, Juventus could be crowned on Thursday and the 35th day, which will see them move to the field of Udinese (16th). Otherwise, it will only be postponed, and the 36th day and the reception of Sampdoria (13th) on Sunday could also do the trick.

During the long weeks of confinement, when Italian football was at a standstill, this duel between Juventus and Lazio was expected as the "final" of the championship.

But the Romans, authors of a formidable first part of the season, collapsed on the restart and Lazio, which slipped to 4th place, is one of the teams that most poorly managed the return to the field.

In the last five matches, Simone Inzaghi's men have only taken one point and instead of playing the finalists, they have only been able to accompany Juventus to the title.

The Roman workforce is very short and with Cataldi, Anderson, Parolo or Bastos, he presented himself on Monday with replacements and reservists in place of the holders.

The first half was very lackluster on both sides and Juventus from the first 45 minutes, slow and content with horizontal passes, is unlikely to impress many.

- Ronaldo-Immobile: the duel continues -

Lyon, which will find the Bianconeri in less than three weeks in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League, will be more wary of that of the second period, ruthless for half an hour on each opposing error.

In this register, Cristiano Ronaldo excels. The Portuguese first hit hard from outside the box. Bastos hit the ball with his arm and Ronaldo converted the penalty (51st).

Three minutes later, Dybala stole a ball on a lightness of the Roman defense and led the counter into the box where he served Ronaldo for an easy double (54th, 2-0).

With this goal, the five-time Ballon d'Or climbs to 30 goals since the start of the season in the league, including a penalty car (12). Since his arrival in Turin, he has reached 50 goals in Serie A, a milestone he had already reached in the championships in England and Spain.

Juve seemed in control at the time, but having already twice wasted a two-goal advantage in recent weeks, they scared themselves again.

Bonucci thus conceded a very avoidable penalty, transformed by Immobile (83rd, 2-1), also with 30 goals and which will contest the title of top scorer to Ronaldo until the end.

A few more scares later, Juventus saved their three points, and they're worth dear. Turinese are still neither very convincing nor very scary. But they are champions, or almost.

Full results of the 34th day:

Saturday:

Hellas Verona - Atalanta Bergamo 1 - 1

Cagliari - Sassuolo 1 - 1

AC Milan - Bologna 5 - 1

Sunday:

Parma - Sampdoria Genoa 2 - 3

Fiorentina - Torino 2 - 0

Brescia - SPAL 2 - 1

Genoa - Lecce 2 - 1

Naples - Udinese 2 - 1

AS Rome - Inter Milan 2 - 2

Monday:

Juventus Turin - Lazio Rome 2 - 1

© 2020 AFP