Juventus crowned Serie A champions

Posted Monday, May 06, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Juventus wrapped up their 29th Serie A title with a narrow 1-0 home win over relegation-threatened Palermo.

A second-half penalty from Arturo Vidal was enough to see Juve crowned champions for the second successive season with three games to spare.

Paul Pogba's dismissal for spitting at an opponent left the home side having to play out the final seven minutes with a man less, but Antonio Conte's men held on to spark the celebrations at the Juventus Stadium.

It was a different story for Palermo though, whose defeat combined with Genoa's win over Pescara means they are now three points adrift of safety and looking in serious danger of going down.

With a point still needed to seal the title, Juve coach Conte took no risks and named his strongest team against a Palermo side who have been in good form recently during an unbeaten five-match run that has brought them three wins.

Juve soon stamped their authority on the game and appeared to want to wrap things up as quickly as possible to allow them to enjoy the occasion with the full stadium already preparing for the title celebrations.

However, they were unable to turn their domination into goals as Palermo stood firm.

The Sicilians' resistance lasted just under an hour before Massimo Donati was adjudged to have pushed Mirko Vucinic inside the penalty area and a penalty was awarded.

Vidal stepped up to place his shot low into the bottom right-hand corner with Stefano Sorrentino diving the other way.

Palermo now needed two goals to put Juve's title party back on ice and the home fans responded in anticipation of the final whistle which was still half an hour away.

Those 30 minutes still had to be played, though, and Juve forward Fabio Quagliarella was keen to make the most of his chance after replacing Vucinic.

He struck the crossbar in the 81st minute with a fine shot from outside the penalty area.

Pogba followed suit with a shot which Sorrentino saved well, but the French midfielder then reacted badly to a push by Salvatore Aronica, spitting at the Palermo defender and earning a straight red card.

It was the only blot on an otherwise perfect afternoon for the Bianconeri as the celebrations for their latest Italian title began.