Juve coach warns against writing-off Napoli title hopes

MILAN, March 14 (Reuters) - Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has warned against writing off the chances of rivals Napoli after the Serie A title race reached what many feel could be a turning point at the weekend.

Juve went top for the first time since September after they beat Udinese on Sunday, while Napoli were left trailing by a point after being held by Inter. The Turin side will go four points ahead if they win their game in hand at home to Atalanta on Wednesday.

Napoli had led from mid-December until Sunday, at one point winning 10 league games in a row, but were still unable to shake off Allegri's dogged Juventus, who are chasing a seventh successive title.

"We have only been in front for a few days, we need to keep playing well and not let go of the bone," Allegri told reporters.

"Napoli are still there, they still have a good chance of winning the title, we still have to play them ... and we have some other difficult matches.

"Napoli will not let up, they can reach 100 points which at the moment is what is needed to win the title," he added. "They are definitely not out of the running."

Juve have 71 points with 11 matches to play, including Wednesday's, while Napoli have 70 points and 10 matches left. The two sides meet in a potentially decisive game in Turin on April 22.

Last year, Juventus won the title with 91 points, four clear of AS Roma.