League leaders AS Roma lost 1-0 at home to Piacenza, lowly Cagliari defeated holders Parma 1-0 and struggling Venezia won 3-0 against Udinese.

Juventus led through Filippo Inzaghi in the 17th minute and 12 minutes later added a second with a superb chip from the edge of the penalty area by Yugoslav Darko Kovacevic.

Napoli, relegated in 1998, pulled a goal back in the 33rd minute when Juan Esnaider handled in the penalty area and Francesco Turrini converted the spot kick.

The Naples side took the game to Juventus after the break but always looked vulnerable at the back and Kovacevic struck again 10 minutes from time with a clinical finish after good work from Jonathan Bachini.

Lazio went ahead against Ravenna thanks to a sweet left foot drive from Croat Alen Boksic in 66th minute, but a diving header from Sebastiano Vecchiola 15 minutes from time meant Ravenna, currently 11th in serie B, travel to Rome in two weeks' time on level terms.

League leaders AS Roma face a tricky second leg at Piacenza after Gianpietro Piovani earned the visitors victory when he slotted home in the 37th minute after Ruggiero Rizzitelli's shot had hit the post.

Bottom club Cagliari, without a win in the league, enjoyed a little respite from their relegation fight with a Patrick Mboma penalty 15 minutes from time giving them a surprise home win over Parma.

A fourth minute strike from Mauro Milanese was enough for Perugia to take a one goal advantage to Fiorentina.

Luciano Spalletti, re-appointed Venezia coach on Monday after just three games away from the bench, saw his side defeat Udinese 3-0. Filippo Maniero scored twice.