Juventus ended their winning Serie A campaign in style on Sunday, after a 3-0 home victory over Cagliari saw them set a major European leagues record for most points earned in a season with 102.
Antonio Conte’s side had already broken the Serie A points record en route to winning their third straight scudetto two weeks ago, but ensured that they moved into triple figures by also becoming the first Italian side to win all their league games at home.
“It is an incredible and historic feat, which we have achieved all together,” Conte said. “What the players, staff and club have done is something incredible.”
Photo: EPA
“Sometimes you forget that victory is an exception, not normality. These lads have achieved something unique together: it will be difficult to repeat the 102 points. All future comparisons will be made with this squad,” he added.
On Sunday, Andrea Pirlo, Fernando Llorente and Claudio Marchisio scored at a festive Juventus Stadium.
Juve posed for a team photograph with their children before kickoff, with the trophy presentation and an open-top bus parade taking place after the match.
Later in the day, Parma beat AS Livorno 2-0 to take the final Europa League spot after Torino missed an extra-time penalty to draw ACF Fiorentina 2-2.
Parma substitute Amauri seemed overwhelmed after heading both of the goals in the match, saying: “I have no words. During the week I was hoping to get this goal and I managed to do it.”
It seemed as if Parma’s European hopes were about to be dashed when Torino were awarded a last-gasp penalty after Facundo Roncaglia fouled Barreto.
However, Antonio Rosati saved Alessio Cerci’s spot-kick to set off celebrations in the Parma camp and reduce the Italy forward to tears.
“I think suffering is part of Torino fans’ DNA,” Torino coach Giampiero Ventura said.
In Turin, Pirlo fired Juve into the lead in the ninth minute with one of his trademark free-kicks, though it was given as an own-goal by Marco Silvestri after it hit the crossbar before going in off the ’keeper’s back.
The Vecchia Signora doubled their lead six minutes later when the Cagliari defense failed to clear after Leonardo Bonucci flicked on Pirlo’s corner and Llorente tapped in for his 18th goal of the season.
Marchisio scored a spectacular third, controlling the ball with his back to goal before flicking it up and firing home with a swiveling volley.
At the restart, a huge banner was unfurled bearing Conte’s face and the words: “Without you we won’t go far ... because you are the best and have Juve in your heart.”
Conte, who has yet to commit to his future at the club, was given a standing ovation at the trophy presentation.
Juventus were unable to parade the trophy around the pitch because as soon as the scudetto was lifted, fans invaded the pitch, prompting players, their families and coaching staff to run to the dressing room.
AC Milan won 2-1 at home to US Sassuolo in a match that saw three red cards, but the Rossoneri still finished a point behind Parma.
Hellas Verona also had faint hopes of reaching Europe, but those were dashed after the Gialloblu were crushed 5-1 by SSC Napoli.
In other games, Genoa edged AS Roma 1-0, Catania defeated Atalanta BC 2-1, SS Lazio overcame Bologna 1-0 and AC Chievo Verona were 2-1 winners over Inter.
Fiorentina and Inter had already sealed their Europa League spots, while Juve, Roma and Napoli go into the Champions League.
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