Juventus clinched a fourth successive Serie A title with a 1-0 win at Sampdoria on Saturday but put its trophy celebrations on ice with a crucial Champions League match in just three days
After dominating the entire season, Juventus needed just a point to mathematically seal the title with four games to spare, and a first-half header from Arturo Vidal gave it all three.
It was the club’s 31st Serie A title, and its first under Massimiliano Allegri, who replaced Antonio Conte in the off-season, just months after being fired by AC Milan.
It was also the first trophy in a possible treble for Juventus, which faces Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals, and will play Lazio in the Italian Cup final.
Allegri was also the last coach before Conte to win the league, with AC Milan in 2011. Andrea Pirlo was part of that team and has now won his fifth successive Serie A title.
The defeat was Sampdoria’s first at home this season and left it provisionally fifth, ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures.
Juventus knew that even if second-place Lazio was to beat Atalanta on Sunday, a draw at Sampdoria would leave it 12 points clear with four matches remaining and the better head-to-head record.
Allegri rested key playmaker Pirlo, defender Giorgio Chiellini and forward Alvaro Morata ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal at home to Real Madrid.
Sampdoria had the better of the early opportunities and Pedro Obiang’s snap shot flew narrowly wide of the right post.
Vidal also went close in the 26th minute with the first effort on target, but his effort was weak and straight at Sampdoria goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.
The Chilean broke the deadlock six minutes later as he was left unmarked to head Stephan Lichtsteiner’s cross from the right over Viviano and in off the inside of the far post.
Tevez went close to doubling Juve’s lead just before the hour mark but Viviano got down well to palm the shot around the post.
Substitute Gonzalo Bergessio almost levelled but was denied by a decisive sliding tackle from Leonardo Bonucci to block his effort.
In 34 rounds, Juventus recorded 24 victories, seven draws and only three losses, scoring 64 goals and conceding just 19.
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