Juventus came from behind to beat relegation threatened Atlanta 2-1 at the Juventus Stadium after turning the game around in a six minute period before the first half ended. Having gone behind to a Giulio Migliaccio header in the 25th minute, the hosts responded through a scrappy Fernando Llorente equaliser before veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo scored a sumptuous long range effort to extend his side’s lead at the top of the table.
Pirlo gets better with age
For the first time in 10 years, Pirlo has scored two goals from open play in the Serie A. In total, the Italian world cup winner has scored 12 goals in the Serie A over the last three seasons and all have been long range beauties. He controlled the game in his typical manner similar to a magician waving his wand, and even his 30-yard-hit was nothing more than a stroke of brush on the canvas. Effortless, nonchalant and exquisite. It swerved and dipped almost in slow motion, and there aren’t many players in the world who can produce what Pirlo does. It feels like he can go on playing forever.
Massimiliano Allegri eats humble pie
The former AC Milan coach let Pirlo leave the Rossoneri four seasons ago because he deemed him incapable of playing in the role where the maestro wanted to. Allegri had plans to use Massimo Ambrosini and Mark Van Bommel in front of the defence which meant that Pirlo would have change positions. He declined the contract extension offered, which was just of a single year instead of the three he wanted, and chose to sign for Juventus. The rest as they say is history as the Bianconeri won three league titles on the trot and are on course for a fourth, this time under Allegri who finally is witnessing what could have been had he listed to L’architetto all those years back.
Juventus motor on towards the title, focus shifts to Champions League
After a stumble in their least league game against Cesena, Juventus returned to winning ways on Friday night and look comfortably on course to win the Serie A for the 4th season in a row. They are 10 points ahead of Roma in second place and although the Giallorossi have a game in hand, it looks unlikely that the gap can be overhauled with 14 games remaining after the weekend. Instead they put their full attentions to the visit of Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night as they look to replicate their performances in the league at the continental level.