A Christian Panucci goal gave 10-man AS Roma a 2-1 home win over strugglers Empoli on Saturday, cutting Inter's lead in Serie A to four points before the champions take on Juventus later in the evening.
Max Tonetto gave Roma the lead and Sebastian Giovinco levelled for Empoli before Roma had Simone Perrotta sent off in the 57th minute. Panucci got Roma's winner six minutes later.
Second-placed Roma have 64 points from 30 games, nine more than third-placed Juve. Fiorentina consolidated fourth place, worth a slot in the Champions League qualifiers, by beating 10-man Lazio 1-0 at home thanks to Giampaolo Pazzini's second-half goal.
Lazio's Massimo Mutarelli was red-carded in the 37th minute. AC Milan remain four points behind the Florence side in fifth after Alexandre Pato gave them a 1-0 win at Torino.