JUVENTUS dealt a potentially fatal blow to 10-man AC Milan’s Champions League hopes with a 3-2 win in blockbuster match in Turin on Saturday.

Goals from Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Hassan Salihamidzic gave the host the edge over the reigning European champion, which counted two Filippo Inzaghi goals while Daniele Bonera was dismissed in the second half.

Juve thus closed the gap on second-placed AS Roma to seven points and the side looks almost certain to secure a place in Europe’s premier competition next season.

Milan trailed fourth-placed Fiorentina by four points but also has to contend with Udinese and Sampdoria in the battle for the final qualification spot.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team was running out of time to qualify for the Champions League.

“Things are getting complicated because four points with five games left is a lot,” he said.

The game started at a frenetic pace and Del Piero put the host ahead on 12 minutes, latching on to a pass from Mauro Camoranesi to shoot across Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac into the far corner, although defense and keeper should have done better.

Only a minute later Inzaghi flicked a close range effort wide after he met a cross from Giuseppe Favelli.

But just a minute after that Milan was level as Kaka tricked his way past Giorgio Chiellini on the left before putting the ball on a plate for Inzaghi in the six-meter box.

On 31 minutes the visitors went in front after a sublime move where Bonera played a pass into Massimo Ambrosini, who flicked the return over the defense for the full-back to square for Inzaghi to score a simple second.

But on the stroke of half-time Trezeguet put Juventus back in front with a goal that was actually credited to Salihamidzic.

Camoranesi sent over an inviting cross after Milan gave the ball away down the right and Trezeguet’s header was saved by Kalac only for Salihamidzic to bundle the rebound off Trezeguet and in.

Milan’s hopes of earning victory took a blow on 66 minutes as Bonera was shown a straight red for going in with studs up on Momo Sissoko, prompting Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to take off his two-goal striker and replace him with veteran Brazilian full-back Cafu.

Then 10 minutes from time Salihamidzic rose to meet a Camoranesi free kick to head home the winner.

(SD-Agencies)