Juventus' path to the Scudetto: 7 key games
2015-2016 has truly been Juventus' season. A fifth-straight Scudetto, wins against all of her rivals: there's little Bianconeri fans regret, at least in Serie A action.
Yet things didn't begin nearly so well, and as late as Autumn few of us thought this team capable of earning Champions League qualification, much less its 32nd Scudetto.
So, without further ado, we invite you to join us on a long, yet hectic rollercoaster ride through the Old Lady's season, through seven key stages, seven games which help us to understand just how far Juventus had fallen... and how crushing their final victory was, snagging 73 points out of a possible 75.
Matchday 2: Roma-Juventus 2-1
Juventus showed up to this one with more question marks than certainties. With Max Allegri and Beppe Marotta arguing about the team's supposed lack of investment, a heavily rejigged Old Lady was never truly in the game, only pegging Roma back at the death through Paulo Dybala. Even Wojciech Szczesny's miracle save off Leonardo Bonucci's header couldn't mask Juventus' inadequacy, and Roma's total domination. Though it was early in the season, it really looked like a changing of the guard, with Juventus set to go through a transition and Roma finally putting it all together. How wrong we were.
Matchday 10: Sassuolo-Juventus 1-0
It took a lifeless performance for Juventus to turn things around. In truth, the Bianconeri had plunged so low that they couldn't possibly sink any further: the only way was up. Whilst Giorgio Chiellini would be sent off, Nicola Sansone continued his wonderful season by firing a beautiful free kick past Gianluigi Buffon.
The Bianconeri rose from the ashes of defeat, beginning with the very frank post-match talk the players held with Max Allegri in the dressing room, asking to return to a three-man defence. Juventus have never lost a league game since, and have only drawn once.
Matchday 11: Juventus-Torino 2-1
The beginning of the comeback. Held once again in check by Giampiero Ventura's Torino, it looked like Juventus would struggle mightily after losing Sami Khedira to injury and watching Cesare Bovo fire a beauty into the top corner for the equalier.
But just as things looked to be taking a turn for the worse, Alex Sandro barged his way down the left, serving a beautiful assist to an unmarked Juan Cuadrado. 2-1 at the death, and an injured Juve was showing some signs of life.
Matchday 21: Juventus-Roma 1-0
The Bianconeri would get their revenge on Roma a full round after their 2-1 defeat. A dish best served cold, it was brought to the table by Paulo Dybala, whose winner confirmed that the Juventini had a star on their hands, and one who could carry the team on his back. This win marked Juve's 11-consecutive triumph in Serie A, confirming the Bianconeri as Serie A favourites, despite never having led.
Matchday 25: Juventus-Napoli 1-0
The Day the Bianconeri overtook Napoli, and what better way to do it than to beat the Partenopei themselves, thanks to a last-minute strike? To be honest, Juventus didn't impress, jumbling together an injury-prone side into a 4-4-2 which frankly didn't get up to much. Though this nervy game looked to slightly favour Napoli, the Partenopei were happy to take the draw... until Alex Sandro headed on a clearance in Napoli's half... straight into Simone Zaza's path.
Might be hard for some to grasp, but Zaza's goal against Napoli is the decisive scudetto strike.
— Terrence Clarke (@terrenceKC) 16 aprile 2016
Matchday 30: Torino-Juventus 1-4
A controversial game, it still saw Juventus skittle their inner-city rivals, and showcasing just how superior this Bianconeri side was. Moreover, it heralded Gigi Buffon's incredible record. More on his below...
Matchday 35: Fiorentina-Juventus 1-2
Though it wasn't the pretties of performances, it saw Gianluigi Buffon save a penalty to guarantee Juventus the three points, after Juan Cuadrado was judged (rather controversially) to have brought Nikola Kalinic down in the box. A difficult game in which Juventus often struggled, it nevertheless emphasized just how ruthless this Juventus team really is. A fitting finale for a splendid season.
@NicolaBalice, translated by Edo Dalmonte (@EdoDalmonte)