Massimiliano Allegri thanked "sensational" Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for denying AC Milan any share of the points at San Siro on Saturday night.
He was a spectator as Mario Mandzukic pegged the hosts back and celebrated from afar when Paul Pogba turned the game on its head to clinch a 2-1 victory for the reigning champions.
A fifth straight Serie A title appears to be Juve's to lose, given they are nine points clear of Napoli before Hellas Verona visit the San Paolo, but Allegri is urging caution ahead of a tricky run-in.
Having watched his evergreen stopper repel Mario Balotelli, Keisuke Honda and Carlos Bacca, he told a postmatch news conference: "Gianluigi Buffon's saves? Sensational.
"We didn't start brilliantly but picked up after Milan went in front. Credit to the Rossoneri for the way they played.
"We've now got time to rest up ahead of the three games in seven days that begin with Palermo.
"We've still got a long way to go until the Scudetto is won. We need to keep going.
"Tonight's victory is an important step in our hunt for a fifth consecutive title."
Milan were lucky to finish the night still in sixth as they were left prone to surprise package Sassuolo, who fortunately for Sinisa Mihajlovic slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Genoa.
The Serbian coach, who put his faith in Balotelli by starting the misfiring striker against the leaders, also praised Buffon while insisting the performance gives him hope for the rest of the season.
"It's hard to comment on this defeat," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We did not deserve to lose.
"We have not been lucky this year, the result makes me angry but I'm proud of the fact we saved face. We went out on top and this display makes us confident about the Coppa Italia final.
"Buffon made the difference and I cannot blame my players for anything.
"Now, apart from Roma, we are only playing teams who are beneath us in the league so we will do well if we play against them like we did against Juve.
"Today the lads proved they can give the best teams a good game. It's a psychological problem."
