Juventus FC are the 2011-2012 Italian Champions as the Old Lady was victorious in her match against Cagliari, 2-0. She could not do it all by herself, however, needing help from rivals, Inter, who beat AC Milan 4-2 in the Derby della Madonnina at the San Siro.
The Bianconeri were in control of the match from start to finish and scored through Mirko Vucinic at the sixth minute and doubled her lead through a Cagliari own-goal in the second period.
Although at times it seemed as if Serie A would need the last round of games to decide the title winners considering that the Rossoneri were battling Inter in a teeter-totter of a match. The Nerazzurri took the lead through a strike from Diego Milito in the 14th minute. A moment of controversy occurred when Christian Abbiati batted away an incredible Wesley Sneijder header, which the Inter players believed crossed the line. Replays do not show a clear enough image.
The controversy was not done there, this time swinging to the other end. Kevin Prince Boateng was sent into the box, could not control the ball effectively as it drifted away from him. Inter ‘keeper, Julio Caesar, dove in and got a clean touch on the ball as Boateng fell over him, causing the ref to point to the spot. It was a bad call. Ibrahimovic stepped up and blasted home the equalizer – 1-1 at half time.
Early in the second, Ibrahimovic powered through to hand Milan a 2-1 lead. At this point, Juve would need to win the final round to decide the Scudetto. However, the Nerazzurri were desperate to qualify for the Champions League and began to push forward and were awarded a spot kick when Milito was fouled in the box. El Principe converted, 2-2, as the Inter and Juve fans were sent into a frenzy.
At the 75th minute, Inter coach Andrea Stramazzoni introduced substitute Giuseppe Pazzini for Ricky Alvarez. Within four minutes of his entry, Pazzini headed the ball in the box, which caught Milan’s veteran defender Alessandro Nesta in the arm, which caused the ref to point to the spot again! Milito stepped and converted giving Inter the 3-2 lead and more hope for that final third spot.
It still was not done though as Inter rubbed salt in the Diavoli’s wounds with a fourth and spectacular goal from Maicon with a solo effort that flew over Amelia and dipped into the far corner – 4-2. That is all she wrote for the Rossoneri.
Congratulations to Juventus and the Bianconeri supporters for winning their 28th Scudetto and their first since the dark age of Calciopoli. The Serie A victory is well deserved seeing that Juventus are still unbeaten this term.
The Old lady is back where she belongs, my friends, which is on top of the Serie A.
Forza Juve!
…and that is the last word.
