Last season's European champions would have won their 17th Scudetto had they claimed three points in Udine and Roma failed to win.

However, Milan will secure their first championship since 1999 if they beat Roma at the San Siro next Sunday, while a draw would maintain their six-point gap with two games left to play. A Roma victory, on the other hand, would throw the title race wide open.

Milan, who were dumped out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League earlier this month, have 76 points from their 31 matches played, six more than second-placed Roma.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti played down the importance of next week's showdown with Roma, saying the title would not necessarily hinge on that game alone.

"Next Sunday we play Roma and have the chance to win the Scudetto, but if it does not happen then, there will be two more games to achieve our target," he said.

"We have a six-point lead and everything is in our hands. We are in control of the title's destiny and the pressure is all on Roma."

Roma coach Fabio Capello insisted his players were capable of beating Milan at the San Siro to keep the championship alive.

"While there is a chance we will give everything we've got," he said.

"Milan are in a strong position but if were to win next week it would make things very interesting.

"We are playing well and are very confident we can get the result we need."

Roared on by 15,000 of their expectant travelling fans, Milan's best chance to break the deadlock against a stubborn Udinese side came in the 23rd minute.

Brazilian midfielder Kaka carved his way through and shot from an acute angle, only to be denied by the lighning reflexes of Morgan De Sanctis in Udinese's goal.

Milan finished strongly and almost grabbed a late winner when John Dahl Tomasson's deflected effort looped inches over the bar.

Roma, playing in the Sicilian city of Palermo due to a two-match stadium ban for crowd trouble at last month's Rome derby, survived several scares before breaking Empoli's resistance four minutes from half-time.

Christian Panucci's deep cross sailed into the penalty box and captain Francesco Totti stole a yard on his marker to head home.

Second-half substitute John Carew scored within five minutes of coming on to put Roma in control, before Totti netted his 20th goal of the season with a delicate lob. Defeat left Empoli third from bottom on 27 points.

Reigning champions Juventus' hopes of trying to snatch second place from Roma were virtually extinguished after they lost 4-3 against Lecce at the Delle Alpi stadium where Ivory Coast striker Cedric Konan scored twice for the Puglians.

Inter Milan held on to fourth place and maintained their one-point lead over Lazio after drawing 0-0 with the Rome side at the San Siro.

Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic came closest to scoring when his fierce free-kick struck the crossbar in the second-half.

Parma, the third team in contention for the fourth and final Champions League place and level on 52 points with Lazio, drew 1-1 at struggling Reggina.

Perugia are set to join Ancona in the second division after drawining 1-1 at Brescia, while Siena are still in danger of the dreaded drop after going down 3-1 at Bologna.

Modena moved up a place and are now fifth from bottom after winning 1-0 at home to Sampdoria, while Chievo won 2-0 at Ancona.