Hassan Salihamidzic headed in Mauro Camoranesi's free kick ten minutes from time, handing the Bianconeri a crucial win at Olimpico.

Despite questioning the free kick decision, Ancelotti also believes that his players' lacking of height, compared to Juve, caused trouble.

"Let us say the free kick that decided the match was a ‘gift’ to Juventus, as unless the rules have changed then a shoulder to shoulder challenge is allowed," he said after the game.

"Tonight we had a ‘short’ team, considering Juve had so many very tall players who are good in the air.

"We only had (Massimo) Ambrosini and (Paolo) Maldini who could counter them and that ensured Juventus were more effective on set pieces."

The defeat left the European champions in fifth place in the Serie A table, and they are in danger of slipping to seventh if Sampdoria and Udinese registered wins on Sunday.