Juventus close in on 7th title

Milan, April 16: Juventus took a major step toward a seventh straight Serie A title on Sunday as they beat Sampdoria 3- 0 after Napoli were held to a 0- 0 draw at AC Milan.

Douglas Costa changed the match when he came on for the injured Miralem Pjanic, providing three assists for Mario Mandzukic, Benedikt Hoewedes and Sami Khedira.

Juventus moved six points clear of Napoli with six matches remaining — including the two sides playing each other.

“We have to thank Pjanic for getting injured because maybe at that moment I wouldn’t have changed things,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri joked.

Juventus were looking to bounce back from the disappointment of Wednesday’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid, decided by a stoppagetime penalty in the second leg when seconds away from forcing extra time at 3- 0.

Lazio host Roma in the capital derby later Sunday in a crucial match for both sides’ Champions League chances.

The top four from the Serie A will qualify for Europe’s premier club competition. Lazio and Roma are third and fourth, respectively, but on the same number of points as fifth- placed Inter Milan, who drew 0- 0 at Atalanta on Saturday.

Milan, who had hopes of sneaking into the top four, are seven points behind.

BOUNCING BACK Juventus were keen to move on from Wednesday’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid. They struggled to find a way through the Samp defence and the visitors almost took the lead but Gianluigi Buffon, who was sent off midweek, managed to parry a closerange header from Fabio Quagliarella.

Pjanic limped off two minutes before the break and was replaced by Douglas Costa who had an instant impact as he whipped in a cross for Mandzukic to volley in under the bar.

Later, Juventus doubled their lead on the hour to take control of the proceedings.