Happy Easter for Juventus and its 14 million fans, who unexpectedly find themselves at the top of the table after a crazy Saturday like never before. The paradox is that Juve owes a good portion of the primacy to Amauri, until a few months ago an unwanted and contested player, who instead risks becoming the symbol of a triumph. The rest was done once again by Antonio Conte, capable of sending the usual combative and determined team onto the field, not at all intimidated by "having to win by force". Serie A thus has a new mistress, who will now no longer be able to hide: the title is in his hands and with 7 days to go it's no small advantage. Of course, there are still many pitfalls, starting with the match against Lazio on Wednesday evening, but Juve give the idea of being ready to overcome them. On the other hand, the figures are with her: no defeat and better defense, all that is needed to sew the Scudetto on the shirt. The work built by Conte is missing only one last piece, to win under the weight of responsibilities. If he succeeds, then no one can take this title away from her.
THE MATCH
Antonio Conte had defined the match in Palermo as "the first of 8 finals", a sort of premonition that became reality after Milan's defeat. And so, when the referee Brighi blows his whistle at 18.30, Juventus find themselves with the possibility of overtaking the Rossoneri, a chance more tempting than any Easter egg. As expected, Conte lines up his players with a 3-5-2 formation, with only one surprise: on the left there is not De Ceglie but Estigarribia. In full defense emergency, Mutti responded with a Palermo with strong rear-wheel drive, which from the beginning renounced any offensive ambitions. Juve are fired up like never before, and after just twenty minutes they already have three goals as clear as the light of day, thwarted, in order, by Quagliarella (shooter from an excellent position), Vucinic (shot wide after jumping the goalkeeper) and Caceres (sensational mistake in front of Viviano's goal). In short, those expecting a hard-fought match immediately put their mind at peace, the match is played at one goal only, the rosanero one. Pro Juve ball possession is almost embarrassing, but after the first terrible minutes Palermo settles down, also because the black and whites try to break through only in central streets, which infuriates Conte. In the second half the script didn't change, and after 11 minutes the rosanero block collapsed: Pirlo's corner, Bonucci's imperious gap and black and white advantage. Even after the game-changing goal, Juve continued to attack as if nothing had happened. In the 22nd minute Conte replaced a rather inconclusive Vucinic with Matri, leaving Quagliarella on the field and the Neapolitan attacker repaid him immediately, bagging the ball behind Viviano with a deadly left foot. In fact, the match ends here, with Palermo avoiding boats in front of their fans and Juve saving energy in view of the match against Lazio. In fact, from Wednesday they will all be finals, this time for real.
THE REACTIONS
With the record acquired, Antonio Conte shows up at the press conference without the usual mask: “We had a long run-up and we were good at taking advantage of two unexpected stops from Milan. Having said that, there are seven games to go and our calendar is more difficult and demanding than Milan's. Of course, now we are no longer at the start of the championship…”. In short, the time for "hide and seek" is over, Juve have a real chance of winning the Scudetto. And patience if this will increase the pressure: "I always prefer to be in front – continued Conte – so I don't have to depend on anyone". The Juventus coach enjoys the maturity of his creature, acquired thanks to his work and dedication: “We have acquired awareness, self-esteem has increased and we are improving day by day. As I said to the boys: 'We wanted the bicycle, now let's pedal to the end'. We find ourselves seven games from the end first in the standings +1 on Milan and still unbeaten. And I like this thing about being unbeaten a lot, because it shows that work brings important benefits. I have to congratulate and give credit to the guys who are extraordinary." Closing dedicated to Amauri, the Juventus player par excellence of the day: "I'm doubly happy for him, he did us a nice favour".
