Lineups:

Juventus: Buffon, Lichsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Vidal (80’ Giacherrini), Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe (72’ Matri), Quagliarella, Vucinic (72’ Del Piero).

Lazio: Marchetti, Scaloni, Diakite, Biava, Garrido, Cana, Ledesma, Gonzalez (81’ Brocchi), Mauri  (72’ Hernanes), Candreva, Rocchi (74’ Kozak).

In a game where Lazio scored on the only dangerous attempt over 90 minutes, and with the Turin based outfit attacking over and over again, it would have been a miracle if Lazio had managed to get as much as a point with them home to Rome. In the end it felt as the loss could have been avoided though, but the smart Del Piero free kick eight minutes from time sealed the victory for Juventus.

It was a one sided game, where Juventus attacked, and Lazio tried to defend. On the pitch it meant that Marchetti got a chance to show his qualities, and the chances for him were given over and over again. Quagliarella tested the Lazio goalie over and over again, and so did Vucinic and Pepe. All three Juventus attackers wasted chances as well as being denied by Marchetti, while also Pirlo and Marchisio gave the Lazio defense a go.

For the visitors the crucial midfield motor Ledesma had a bad day at work, and wasted many passes and therefore giving the home team the possession too often and too easily. In attack Mauri and Rocchi had little to do, while Candreva and Gonzalez did plenty of running, without getting to play attacking football. At the back Scaloni struggled with Vucinic, Garrido with Pepe and in the centre Diakite and Biava were both yellow carded trying to stop Quagliarella.

After 30 minutes the expected goal came, and it was an overhead kick by Pepe that finally beat Marchetti. The Lazio players all called for offside, but the goal was allowed and the question of how Lazio would now be able to get anything with them was asked. Not much was created by the Biancocelesti, but so came one moment of brilliance and Buffon could do nothing but to pick the ball out of the own net. As the goal came only seconds before the half time whistle Lazio had been given the perfect boost for the remaining 45 minutes, and Juventus had been hit by surprise.

The second half was very similar to the first, with Marchetti ccontinuing to dominate the game for Lazio, and the home team pushing for a goal. Former Laziale Lichsteiner found himself with some good opportunities, as did the aforementioned Bianconeri players. As the half carried on, and Lazio managed to keep it tight at the back, the frustration within the home camp intensified and subsequent yellow cards were handed out.

Between minutes 72 and 74 the game was decided, despite the final goal being scored ten minutes later. When Conte substituted Vucinic and Pepe for Del Piero and Matri, and Lazio answered with Kozak for Rocchi and Hernanes for Mauri, the difference in quality and quantity within the squads was highlighted.

After having fought crosses, shots and one on ones, Marchetti had to see himself punished for the second time this evening, and this time Lazio could not get one back before the end of the game. Del Piero struck a free kick, one that caught the Lazio goalkeeper with surprise, and Juventus stadium exploded in happiness. The league leaders were back on top, and when Kozak was sent off for a second yellow card only a few minutes later the microscopic chance of getting anything out of the final minutes was blown away.

(Khashayar Kashefi)