Juventus retain Seria A title

Rome: Juventus won the Italian title for the 31st time on Saturday after Arturo Vidal’s first half strike saw Massimiliano Allegri’s side defeat Sampdoria 1-0. It was Juventus' fourth league title in a row with as many games to spare this season and set them up perfectly for their upcoming Champions League semifinal duel with Real Madrid. Chilean midfielder Vidal met Stephan Lichtsteiner’s deep floated cross with a perfectly placed header in the 32nd minute to put Juventus 17 points ahead of second-placed Lazio.

 

Juve needed just a point to finally end the one-horse race for the Serie ‘A’ crown. Vidal’s first league goal since January was enough for them to both win the league and become the first side to win at Sampdoria this season despite resting Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chielini and Alvaro Morata ahead of their Champions League first leg clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday. “You never get tired of winning. The older you get the more titles satisfy you, because they could be the last titles you win,” said Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon.

 

“The thought of Real Madrid has pulsed around the place for some days now, so it’s inevitable that while the joy is there for having closed the league, we need to be ready for this match so that we don’t regret anything,” he added. 

Beating Madrid would set this season out from the previous three title-winning campaigns, in which they underwhelmed in Europe, and would be further vindication for Allegri, who was sacked by AC Milan midway through last season. and panned by Juve fans when he was announced as the replacement for the beloved Antonio Conte in pre-season.

 

“My first few days here were good. I think I only had five or six players and we lost a friendly 2-3,” he joked. “On Tuesday we need to have the same attitude but be even better than today, because we’ll have in front of us a team of amazing players,” he added.