Juventus 2-2 Atalanta

Juventus' grip on third place has grown ever more tenuous following a thrilling draw against Atalanta.

Atalanta stunned Claudio Ranieri's men when Luca Cigarini fired them ahead in the second minute but Vincenzo Iaquinta restored parity in the 26th minute before a stunner from Cristiano Zanetti put the hosts in front.

Substitute Maximiliano Pellegrino levelled matters a minute before half-time and, although both sides had chances galore to snatch a win, they had to settle for a point apiece.

Juventus have inched closer to AC Milan in the race for second place as they are now three points behind the Rossoneri who lost to Udinese yesterday.

However, the Bianconeri will be looking nervously over their shoulders at Fiorentina who are only a point behind following their victory over Sampdoria.

Juve will be hoping for maximum points in their final two games to avoid being overtaken by La Viola which would consign them to fourth place and starting next season's Champions League in the qualifying rounds.

It was a surreal atmosphere in the Stadio Olimpico with the normally packed-out stadium empty as Juve had been ordered to play the match behind closed doors following racist chants by their fans.

And the banned fans missed a thriller as the two teams played out a lively game which saw them share four goals as well as battering the crossbar.

Atalanta, who have nothing to play for, got off to the perfect start when Cigarini's long-range drive was deflected past Gianluigi Buffon by Nicola Legrottaglie.

Legrottaglie almost atoned for his error in the 25th minute but he smashed his effort off the crossbar and Cristian Poulsen headed the rebound over from close range.

However, Juve were back on level terms a minute later when an unmarked Iaquinta nodded in Pavel Nedved's cross.

The hosts almost took the lead two minutes later but Amauri headed onto the bar.

The woodwork came to Juve's aid in the 36th minute when Zanetti's right-footed volley from outside the area flew in off the underside of the bar.

Maximiliano Pellegrino, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, equalised shortly before the break when he headed home Gianvito Plasmati's corner.

Just as they had done at the start of the first half, Atalanta came storming out of the blocks at the beginning of the second.

Plasmati and Cigarini both hit the bar in the opening eight minutes, either side of a fierce drive from Alessio Cerci who raced all the way from the halfway line before unleashing a shot which Buffon did well to deflect wide.

Atalanta had yet another good chance to take the lead shortly after the hour mark but Cigarini's free-kick flew narrowly wide.

The Bergamaschi rattled the woodwork yet again nine minutes from time when Plasmati raced down field and let fly with a right-footed effort which crashed off the crossbar.