MILAN (AFP) - Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri scored one apiece for Juventus, as the Italian football champions reinforced their Serie A title defence with a commanding 2-1 win away to Inter Milan at the San Siro on Saturday.

Inter began the day 18 points adrift of the leaders and despite having a game in hand, had hoped to close the gap as they continue to battle for a top three place that would guarantee Champions League football next season.

However, the Nerazzurri, who welcomed several players back late from World Cup qualifying matches in South America, were outclassed in the first half and, despite Argentinian Rodrigo Palacio producing a superb leveller 10 minutes after the restart, the hosts were silenced again when Matri struck on the hour.

Juventus now sit 12 points ahead of second-placed Napoli, who were due to face Torino in a tricky away game later on Saturday, and 21 ahead of Inter.