AS ROMA reinvigorated the title race by beating Catania 1-0 yesterday to cut the gap on leaders Inter Milan to five points. Champions Inter recorded their third straight draw when they were held 0-0 by Sampdoria on Saturday after having two players sent off and second-placed Roma took advantage despite showing late nerves.

Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic, up front alone with Francesco Totti suspended and Luca Toni injured, prodded in an 18th-minute corner to overcome visiting Catania who are fourth from bottom.

Claudio Ranieri’s Roma side, who lost for the first time in 21 matches in Thursday’s Europa League game at Panathinaikos, have stormed up Serie A after a sticky start and host Inter in late March in one of their 13 remaining games.

Asked if the title race had reopened, Ranieri said: “Honestly no. You still can’t say it but we move forward. Our mind is on the Europa League campaign. Inter are a great side.”

Third-placed AC Milan, seven points behind Inter and with a game in hand at Fiorentina on Wednesday, triumphed 2-0 at Bari thanks to Marco Borriello’s stunning volley and an Alexandre Pato goal.

Juventus moved up to fourth after a patchy 2-1 victory at Bologna, their third win in a row under Alberto Zaccheroni.

Napoli and Palermo are one point behind Juve after the Naples club were held 0-0 at Siena and the Sicilians Lazio 3-1.