Veteran striker Luca Toni struck his 16th goal in Serie A this season to help Verona to a 1-0 win in the 'Derby della Scala' away to city rivals Chievo on Saturday.
Following a challenge with Gennaro Sardo, Toni pounced on a loose ball in the Chievo box to beat Michael Agazzi in the hosts' net for a 65th minute winner.
Verona's 14th win of the campaign moved them up to eighth, only three points adrift of Inter Milan in fifth spot and the first Europa League qualifying place.
Chievo, who began the day only two points above the drop zone, remained fifth from bottom but could find themselves in the danger zone if Bologna and Livorno win their respectives games against Inter and Juventus.
Inter, who are 32 points behind leaders Juventus, host Bologna later Saturday while Juventus host Livorno on Monday.
In midweek, Roma closed the gap on Juve to eight points with a 4-2 win over Parma in a game that was postponed earlier this season and are away to Cagliari on Sunday.
Toni's 16th league goal means he is now only two behind Serie A leader Carlos Tevez of Juventus and one behind Torino's Ciro Immobile.
Source: AFP
