The 33-year-old demonstrated his credentials for Euro 2008 selection with his powerful dead ball strike from 20 yards which clipped the post on its way to beating Brazilian keeper Doni.

Roma were denied by both the post and Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon in search of an equaliser and are now just one point ahead of their Turin rivals, and 11 adrift of runaway leaders Internazionale.

Claudio Ranieri's side were full of confidence heading into the game and created the first chances.

The impressive Del Piero won a second-minute corner off Daniele De Rossi, and his delivery caused havoc in the penalty area until Roma hacked the ball away.

De Rossi had got in the way of a strong Pavel Nedved shot from over 20 yards out as Roma weathered the early storm.

Roma's first chance came on 18 minutes, Mancini hitting an 18-yard shot which deflected dangerously off Francesco Totti but Cristian Molinaro managed to clear.

The Turin side, who are now unbeaten in 14 Serie A games, continued to pose an attacking threat and great vision from Nedved's searching lob for Jonathan Zebina was just a little too long.

David Trezeguet passed into Vincenzo Iaquinta on 39 minutes, who turned with the ball 10 yards out and volleyed towards goal, but Doni produced a great reflex save to his left.

The Brazilian goalkeeper was unable to stop Del Piero's effort, but Roma almost struck back seconds later in first-half injury time.

Taddei crossed a low ball in from the right, and though Simone Perrotta could not connect, Totti was there to strike against the post.

Roma continued to dominate possession, passing well but unable to create many incisive chances.

Zebina took a 20-yard shot for Juve on 57 minutes that barely flew over, before two headers from centre-back Philippe Mexes on 63 and 71 minutes missed the target, the first just skimming the crossbar.

With 13 minutes to play, Buffon had to keep out De Rossi's long-range free-kick from 30 yards, a fierce left-footed strike which the Italy number one dived to his right to save from the top corner.

Juve dominated the remaining minutes but were unable to extend their lead.

A wayward Del Piero shot from over 20 yards fell kindly for Iaquinta, who deflected the ball just wide on 81 minutes.

Del Piero then swung a free-kick from 25 yards out on target, but Doni was alert and made a diving save for a corner with six minutes to play.

The Juve number 10 managed to create one final chance in injury time from a set-piece, his dangerous crossed free-kick from 35 yards just evading the efforts of Nicola Legrottaglie to score.