New Delhi: Vincenzo Iaquinta continues his good form with a brace as the Bianconeri collected their second win under Ferrara and Nedved made his ultimate appearance for the Turin giants.
Pre-Match News
Bianconeri boss Ciro Ferrara stuck with the striking duo of Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta up front, while Nedved was deployed on the left of midfield for his last match with the club.
Lazio tactician Delio Rossi made a number of changes, leaving out his top three strikers in Mauro Zarate, Goran Pandev, and Tommaso Rocchi.
First Half
Juventus rejuvenation under Ciro Ferrara continues as they got off the bat immediately! Marchiso played a delightful through pass with the outside of the foot for Iaquinta, who slotted through the goalkeeper's legs after just three minutes.
Lazio should have equalised ten minutes later when Libor Kozak got in front of the defence, but his chip, that left Gianluigi Buffon stranded, was too high and over the bar.
The visitors were beginning to gain a strangle hold in midfield and Foggia cut inside of the box on 22 minutes, but his low shot was gathered by Buffon.
Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi found themselves in some promising positions on the wings, but often their final ball into the box was lacking. Then, Lazio played a clever free-kick very quickly, but Foggia's effort from a tight angle was easily palmed away by the Bianconeri shot stopper.
The Aquilotti had another chance to get back into the match, but Kozak was just offside when the ball was played to him in all kinds of space right in front of the goal.
In first-half injury time the hosts almost scored a spectacular goal! Nedved's lob from the left was nodded across by Iaquinta for Del Piero, but his bicycle kick was just wide of the post!
Second Half
Juventus had the first chance of the second half as Giorgio Chiellini stole the ball at the centre-circle and burst through the middle, he sprayed out wide for Iaquinta, but the return pass was just a bit too hard for the defender too control with the goal gaping.
Nedved nearly capped off his last match for the club with a goal, his vicious volley flying over the cross bar from the corner of the area.
However, the Bianonceri doubled their lead on 59 minutes. David Rozenhal could not effectively clear Del Piero's pass and Nedved stole it off him, playing through for Iaquinta, who waltzed around Carrizo to make it 2-0.
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Juventus were in complete control and kept possession for long periods as Lazio struggled to find a way to get back into the match. Iaquinta was the subbed off to an ovation, as he was replaced by youngster Sebastian Giovinco.
Del Piero went on a mazy run, skipping pass three players, but Stephan Lichtsteiner cleared it off his foot with a sliding tackle as 'Pinturrichio' was about to pull the trigger. Lazio striker Mendicino then tried an audacious strike from distance that nearly found the top corner.
Nedved continued to try and give Juventus a going-away gift, but the Czech player's long-range effort bounced about a foot wide with Carrizo scrambling. The veteran tried again, but his curing free-kick was tipped over by the Bianconcelesti goalkeeper on 82 minutes.
Nedved was then subbed off to rousing applause and a standing ovation as all players went over to hug and congratulate him.
Lazio did nearly pull one back with five minutes remaining, as Kozak hit the post, taking advantage of some sloppy defending from close range, but the match ended in 2-0 favour of Juventus, who were well worthy of the three points in their final match of the campaign.
Juventus 2-0 Lazio
Goals: 3' and '59 Iaquinta (J)
Juventus: Buffon - Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Salihamidzic - Camoranesi, Zanetti (54' Amauri), Marchisio, Nedved (83' Tiago) - Iaquinta (71' Giovinco), Del Piero.
Lazio: Carrizo - Lichtsteiner, Siviglia (77' Tuia), Rozenhal, De Silvestri - Brocchi, Dabo (63' Meghni), Ledesma, Foggia - Kozak, Del Nero (51' Mendicino).
Ibrahimovic Wins Capocannoniere Crown
With a brace this afternoon against Atalanta, the Swede ousted Marco Di Vaio at the top of the scorers chart...
With Inter celebrating their scudetto triumph as they lifted the league trophy in front of a packed San Siro, there was a double celebration with star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic rounding off the campaign as capocannoniere.
After trailing Marco Di Vaio in the scorer’s charts for a number of weeks, the Swede took the crown on the final day as his brace moved him 25 goals one ahead of the Bologna bomber.
With joint second Diego Milito set to join Inter for next season, Inter now have a frightening amount of firepower on their hands as they look to defend their title for a four consecutive season.
However given Ibrahimovic’s remarks in recent weeks, it is still unsure whether the league’s top scorer will be wearing the Inter shirt next season.
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