07 February 2015
Goals from Carlos Tevez, Leonardo Bonucci and Alvaro Morata enabled the Bianconeri to complete a seasonal double over Milan with this evening’s 3-1 triumph at Juventus Stadium.
A riproaring start by the hosts saw them take the lead just shy of the quarter-hour mark through an inspired Tevez, who expertly sprang the offside trap to gather Morata’s through ball and stroke home.
And while Milan found themselves level 14 minutes later thanks to a debut goal from Luca Antonelli, Juventus’ response was instant, Bonucci prodding the ball over the line from a matter of yards after being teed up by Tevez three minutes later.
A crucial three points in the Bianconeri’s quest for a fourth consecutive Scudetto were wrapped up with 65 minutes played, Morata guiding the ball home after Claudio Marchisio had seen a venomous drive bounce back off the upright.
Beginning with the intensity that typifies such meetings, Juventus saw chances come and go for Morata and Arturo Vidal before bagging the goal their positive start merited on 14 minutes.
Morata it was who provided the assist, prodding the ball through for Tevez to hold off the despairing chase of Gabriel Paletta before slotting coolly underneath the onrushing Diego Lopez for his 14th Serie A goal of the campaign.
Comfortable in possession and with Tevez proving a particular thorn in the Rossoneri rearguard, Juventus appeared to have the game firmly in their grasp as they pushed to extend their advantage.
But a rare foray into Bianconeri territory earned the visitors a corner from which debutant Antonelli was able to head past Gigi Buffon for the leveller on 28 minutes.
Yet Filippo Inzaghi’s men barely had time to celebrate before seeing their parity evaporate, Bonucci turning Tevez’s flick-on beyond a stranded Diego Lopez to restore the hosts’ lead three minutes later.
And the effervescent Argentine could have extended the Bianconeri’s advantage deep into first-half stoppage time, only to find Diego Lopez alert to palm his well-struck shot from the fringes of the area out of harm’s way.
Half-time words from Inzaghi in the Rossoneri dressing room yielded a positive response from his men, who would have drawn level on 54 minutes through substitute Giampaolo Pazzini had it not been for an incredible Buffon save from point-blank range.
But they were left to rue that missed opportunity just over 10 minutes later, with Morata finding himself in the right place at the right time to turn the ball over the line after Marchisio had seen a purposeful low drive cannon back off the post.
Further chances came and went for Tevez and Marchisio but the Bianconeri remained good value for their advantage and were able to see out a thoroughly deserved three points with relative comfort.
The victory takes the reigning champions 10 points above nearest challengers Roma, who will look to keep up the pressure when they play tomorrow afternoon in Cagliari.
