Juventus extended their lead at the top of Italy’s top flight to five points on Sunday but club coach Massimiliano Allegri knows there is a long way to go before he and his players can feel comfortable.

The three-time defending Serie A champions beat Verona 4-0 at home just three days after demolishing the same team 6-1 in Turin to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

Sunday’s result was all the more significant after second-placed Roma were held to a 1-1 draw at Palermo on Saturday.

“Credit to the lads,” Allegri said.

“I’m working with a great group that’s aiming to achieve an extraordinary target.

“It wasn’t easy to win after putting six past the same team but we handled the game well.

“The most positive aspect is perhaps the clean sheet, it’s been a while since our last one and we defended really well.”

Juve have won 14 times and lost just once in 19 league games heading into the half-way point.

The Bianconeri boast the best attack and defence in the competition, with the Turin giants having found the back of the net 42 times while only conceding nine goals.

“There’s room for improvement,” Allegri said.

“However we’re playing well and when we all move in the right way, with focus, it’s difficult to attack us.

“We still get caught napping at times, but the lads are enjoying a great season and have what it takes to win the league and progress in the Champions League.

“We’re in good shape physically and are back motoring along, something that can make the difference in the second half of the season.

“There’s still a long way to go, we know we could experience sticky patches at some stage.”

Allegri expects Roma to battle for the Scudetto until the end.

“We are five points clear and there are 19 league games remaining so we have to work in the same manner,” he said.

“In the second half of the season it is always more difficult to take points and we will try to prepare in the best possible way.”