Early goals from Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved and Federico Balzaretti put Juventus in control before Del Piero stole the show with his treble.

A hat-trick for the 32-year-old striker, his first for three years, took his total for the season to 11 goals.

Second-placed Napoli can reclaim a share of top spot if they win at home to Arezzo on Sunday.

Juve coach Didier Deschamps lavished praise on Del Piero but not just for his three goals.

"When he is fit, as he is at the moment, there's no stopping him," said the Frenchman.

"Today he played well even when he didn't have the ball, always willing to help the team. He always makes the difference."

A World Cup winner with Italy last year, Del Piero said it made no difference what division he scored his goals in.

"I never get tired of scoring goals," he said.

Nedved's left-footed shot opened the scoring before Balzaretti's attempted cross sailed over Salvatore Soviero's head and into the net.

Del Piero extended Juve's lead with an angled drive in the 43rd minute before doubling his tally with a cool finish after Nedved had initiated a swift counter-attack.

Del Piero ensured he took the match ball home in the 78th minute, tucking home after good work by David Trezeguet.

Juventus were demoted from Serie A and given a nine-point penalty for their part in the Italian match-fixing scandal.