Juventus wrap up seventh straight Serie A title
Rome, Italy (AFP) — Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri hailed his side’s winning mentality as they sealed a seventh-straight Serie A title yesterday, after a goalless draw against 10-man Roma at Stadio Olimpico.
The Turin giants had needed just a point to officially seal their 34th Scudetto title and become the first team to complete the league and Cup double for four consecutive seasons.
Roma played the final 20 minutes a man down after Radja Nainggolan was sent off for a second yellow card following a foul on Argentina striker, Paulo Dybala.
Allegri’s side also won the Italian Cup in Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday with a 4-0 win over AC Milan.
With one game left to play, Juventus cannot be caught by second-placed Napoli who are four points behind after winning 2-0 at Sampdoria yesterday.
“It’s not easy to keep the right mentality just a few days after winning the Italian Cup final,” said Allegri.
“I think the greatest strength was keeping calm in all situations. You reach the final objective with one small step at a time.”
Eusebio Di Francesco’s Roma, in third, had already sealed their Champions League place next season after Inter Milan’s 2-1 loss against Sassuolo.
Juventus had early chances with Edin Dzeko firing over a Lorenzo Pellegrini right-footer flying wide and Aleksandar Kolarov’s free kick hitting the side netting.
Dybala threatened early and broke through early in the second half after an Alex Sandro cross, but the goal was disallowed because the Argentina striker was offside.
Nainggolan received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes and from the 68th minute, Roma were down to 10 men.
But Juventus did not exploit their advantage as their game lost its momentum, although Dybala did have penalty appeals.
Juventus will play their final game in Turin next weekend and Allegri promised a big celebration.