Lazio's hopes of gaining some breathing space in the race for a Champions League place were dashed here on Monday as they lost 1-0 at home to Juventus.
Simone Pepe's 87th minute goal dealt an unwelcome blow to the hosts - who were reduced to 10 men for the final 10 minutes when Cristian Ledesma was sent-off for a second bookable offence - hopes of Champions League football next season.
Lazio only lead Udinese and bitter city rivals AS Roma by a point with three matches remaining while victory kept Juventus hopes of grabbing the last Champions League spot alive, as they are four points adrift of Lazio.
The decisive matches could well come next weekend as Lazio travel to Udinese while Roma are at home to AC Milan, who only require a point to seal the title.
Lazio: Fernando Muslera; André Dias, Giuseppe Biava (Lionel Scaloni 71), Javier Garrido, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Francesco Matuzalem, Cristian Ledesma, Christian Brocchi, Hernanes; Mauro Zárate, Sergio Floccari
Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon; Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Fabio Grosso, Marco Motta (Hasan Salihamidzic 71); Alberto Aquilani, Felipe Melo, Simone Pepe, Milos Krasic; Alessandro Del Piero, Alessandro Matri (Luca Toni 71)
