The Scudetto race is on after AC Milan's 3-1 win over struggling Messina yesterday.
Messina striker Giuseppe Sculli gave the hosts a sixth minute lead before Milan substitute Marek Jankulovski levelled the score shortly after the half-hour mark.
Italian international Gennaro Gattuso's strike allowed the Rossoneri to go into the break with a 2-1 lead before Alberto Gilardino settled the match with three minutes left to play.
The outcome allowed AC Milan to reduce the deficit with Juve to just three points with three games left to play, after the Bianconeri were held at home to a 1-1 draw against Lazio.
Their opponents Messina were forced to play with 10 men from the 35th minute after midfielder Antonio Nocerino was sent off for a double booking.
The hosts finished the game with eight players on the pitch after Sculli and defender Salvatore Aronica joined Nocerino in the changing room with three minutes remaining.
Rivals Milan also had their share of problems, with coach Carlo Ancelotti forced to make his three substitutions before the half-hour mark with Kaka, Alessandro Nesta and substitute Massimo Ambrosini sustaining injuries in what was a very combative contest.
Milan finished the game with 10 men after Clarence Seedorf was sent off for a late tackle.
Ancelotti said afterwards: "This was a strange game with a controversial lead-up caused by some irresponsible comments. We paid the price for those statements promising a battle royal.
"Kaka has a nasty bruise on his knee and we'll have to see his condition tomorrow before deciding if he can play against Barcelona. As for the Scudetto, all we can do is try to win the last three ties and see what happens."
Messina striker Giuseppe Sculli gave the hosts a sixth minute lead before Milan substitute Marek Jankulovski levelled the score shortly after the half-hour mark.
Italian international Gennaro Gattuso's strike allowed the Rossoneri to go into the break with a 2-1 lead before Alberto Gilardino settled the match with three minutes left to play.
The outcome allowed AC Milan to reduce the deficit with Juve to just three points with three games left to play, after the Bianconeri were held at home to a 1-1 draw against Lazio.
Their opponents Messina were forced to play with 10 men from the 35th minute after midfielder Antonio Nocerino was sent off for a double booking.
The hosts finished the game with eight players on the pitch after Sculli and defender Salvatore Aronica joined Nocerino in the changing room with three minutes remaining.
Rivals Milan also had their share of problems, with coach Carlo Ancelotti forced to make his three substitutions before the half-hour mark with Kaka, Alessandro Nesta and substitute Massimo Ambrosini sustaining injuries in what was a very combative contest.
Milan finished the game with 10 men after Clarence Seedorf was sent off for a late tackle.
Ancelotti said afterwards: "This was a strange game with a controversial lead-up caused by some irresponsible comments. We paid the price for those statements promising a battle royal.
"Kaka has a nasty bruise on his knee and we'll have to see his condition tomorrow before deciding if he can play against Barcelona. As for the Scudetto, all we can do is try to win the last three ties and see what happens."
