Rome - Juventus late Saturday kept the pace of Serie A leaders Inter Milan edging Torino 1-0 through a late goal from international defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The win in the high-voltage city derby pushed Juve on to 56 points from 27 games, with reigning champions Inter leading on 63 after beating Genoa 2-0 earlier Saturday.

Lowly Torino are just one point above the drop zone, but held Juve on the ropes in the first half hour, missing good chances when Roberto Stellone aimed a high header and Simone Barone had a fast drive and a header saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve had less ball possession, but still came close through a great volley and a downward header from Vincenzo Iaquinta that gave Matteo Sereni chances to display his diving skills.

The goalkeeper was again crucial for Torino as he parried a tricky drive from Claudio Marchisio and a shot that Brazilian Amauri tried from an angled position after the break.

Other prodigious saves on 71 minutes denied Juve's efforts this time with Sereni blocking a close-range header from Olof Mellberg and deflecting Hasan Salihamidzic's tap-in on the post.

There was no blame on Sereni 10 minutes later, when Chiellini burst past the defence to nod home a free kick curled by veteran substitute Pavel Nedved.

In earlier action, Sweden's ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic resumed his scoring habits being on target in Inter's 2-0 beating of Genoa that Mario Balotelli sealed in the second half.

In a previous game, Roma had captain Daniele De Rossi sent off as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by visiting Udinese to dent their pursuit of a Champions League berth. (dpa)