26 September 2014
After a 3-1 away success over Sassuolo put Juventus on the verge of their third successive league title, Roma’s 4-1 defeat seven days later at Catania decided Turin as the final destination of the Scudetto title in May 2014.
Antonio Conte’s side entered their penultimate home game of the season on the back of a four-match winning run and with the added incentive of crossing the 100-point barrier for the inaugural time in Serie A history.
Prior to kick-off, the Bianconeri took to the field to celebrate with their adoring crowd after successfully confirming themselves as worthy champions of Italy for the 32nd occasion.
A stunning pre-match choreography to pay tribute to the champions! #JuveX3 #JuveAtalanta pic.twitter.com/xMsqnkJVi8
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 5, 2014
With the stadium firmly in party mood, chances were few and far between during a first-half in which Atalanta shaded possession.
Dani Osvaldo, a January loan signing from Premier League outfit Southampton, fashioned two chances within the first ten minutes. The Italian striker first flashed a low effort past Andrea Consigli’s upright before seeing his dipping header spectacularly tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.
Down the other end, Marco Storari found himself relatively untroubled during the first 45 minutes as both sides went into the break with the score at 0-0.
HALF-TIME: #JuveAtalanta 0-0. No goals so far at #JStadium and one shot on target for either side.
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 5, 2014
Carlos Tevez’s introduction at half-time unsurprisingly spurred the game into life as Fabio Quagliarella and Paul Pogba both saw their efforts parried by Consigli before the Argentine cleared the crossbar from the edge of the Atalanta box.
With 18 minutes left on Andrea De Marco’s watch, the goal finally came.
A brilliant move saw Pogba’s flick arrive at the feet of Simone Padoin whose first-time strike cannoned in off the inside of the post.
GOAL! #JuveAtalanta 1-0. #Padoin breaks the deadlock, crashing a low strike off the post and into the back of the net against his old club!
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 5, 2014
It was the midfielder’s second goal for the club after netting against Fiorentina in March 2012 and put his side well on their way to sealing an 18th home win on the bounce, edging them ever closer to inter-city rivals Torino’s record of 21 consecutive victories.
After suffering an injury-hit campaign, there was further joy for Juventus as Simone Pepe entered the fray with five minutes left for his first appearance since December’s Coppa Italia clash against Avellino.
Padoin’s drive was enough to see the Bianconeri reach an incredible 96 points with two games remaining and in the process, ensure a centenary of victories under Antonio Conte’s tutelage.
It's our 31st @SerieA_TIM win of the season and Antonio Conte's 100th in charge of Juventus! #JuveAtalanta #JuveX3 pic.twitter.com/oLAyfLdsWW
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 5, 2014
100 victories with you. Cheers, boss!
During the post-match interviews, Sebastian Giovinco explained that the club still had one more target to pursue, even after sealing their third consecutive title.
#Giovinco: "Celebrating with a victory makes it even sweeter. We're now going for our other objective, a 100 point finish." #JuveAtalanta
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 5, 2014
Pepe praised the Bianconeri faithful for their support during what had been a difficult season for the winger.
.@pepigno7: "I'll never stop thanking the Juve fans who have always been close to me during the hard times." #JuveAtalanta
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 5, 2014
A full recap of the players’ post-match words can be found here.
