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If Carlo Ancelotti feared the Bianconeri would suffer from overconfidence, he needn't have. With Filippo Inzaghi on this kind of form there was only one result possible. A hat-trick from Juve's number 9 as well as a goal from Edgar Davids put the game beyond a brave but toothless Vicenza.

The Bianconeri took to the pitch without the services of team captain Antonio Conte, defender Marco Zanchi and the Uruguayans Fabian O'Neill and Daniel Fonseca, all of whom are suffering with muscle problems.

Carlo Ancelotti opted for Paramatti and Trezeguet ahead of Birindelli and Del Piero. While Vicenza had Cardone back in the team.

It took the on-form striker only minutes to score, eight to be precise. A moment's indecision at the back for the visitors and Inzaghi pounced, taking the ball past Sterchele and burying it in the back of an empty net.

Alex Del Piero then got his chance when David Trezeguet was forced off with muscle problems. The injury troubled number 10 came on to a standing ovation from the home fans, and he would repay them in full.

Vicenza didn't buckle, despite their unfortunate start, and Zauli went close twice in two minutes, first sending the ball high over the bar and then on 16 minutes beating Edwin Van der Sar, but Paolo Montero, ever ready, saved on the line.

Zinedine Zidane was taking control of the midfield, helped by a Davids displaying all his battling spirit and confirming his positive performance with a goal after 22 minutes. This time Inzaghi turned goal provider, when picking up a ball wide left he whipped in a low cross that the Dutchman met with a deadly and accurate shot to double Juve's lead.

With the second goal Vicenza found themselves absolutely in Juve's hands, and the Bianconeri toyed with them mercilessly. Zidane fired in a free kick after 33 minutes, which went just wide. Then Del Piero showing that he is back to full fitness, dribbled past Camoto and let fly with his left, putting the ball inches wide of the far post.

It was then Inzaghi who once again who got on the score sheet. After Del Piero lost the ball in midfield, Tomas picked up the loose ball and turned to pass back to his keeper. But he wasn't counting on Inzaghi lying in wait. He picked up the back pass and ran at Sterchele, who came out of his goal only to be beaten from a long range effort from the ex-Atalanta man. 3-0 after 42 minutes and Vicenza were well and truly buried.

The second half turned into a damage limitation exercise. Although Vicenza upped the pace, their lack of cutting edge up front meant that for all their hard work they were always going to struggle. Juve on the other hand sat back, and simply contained the sporadic Vicenza attacks.

Toni was the one threat, finding space for a shot in the box after he chested the ball and volleyed in. But having lost his balance he was unable to find the target.

Then after 58 minutes Toni put a dangerous ball into the box, beating the keeper, but Gianluca Pessotto was on his mettle and was able to clear.

Halfway through the second half Del Piero went close to getting his name on the score sheet, when he took a 20-yard shot on the half turn, only to see his effort come back off the upright.

Two minutes later and Inzaghi bagged his hat-trick and Juve's fourth. Zidane broke into the box out on the left and pulled a ball back to the centre of the box where the Italy international had taken up position. He was never going to miss from five yards out.

After that it was just a case of playing out the last 20 minutes. Vicenza were more concerned not to concede any more, while Ancelotti's lads had had their fill and were just waiting for the final whistle.

JUVENTUS 4-0 VICENZA Goals: 8, 42, e 69 Inzaghi, 22 Davids

JUVENTUS (4-3-1-2): Van der Sar; Paramatti, Montero, Iuliano, Pessotto; Zambrotta, Tacchinardi, Davids; Zidane (73 Brighi); Inzaghi, Trezeguet (13 Del Piero)
Manager: Ancelotti
Subs: Carini, Tudor, Ferrara, Birindelli, Brighi, Kovacevic, Del Piero

VICENZA (3-5-1-1): Sterchele; Cardone (59 Beghetto), Marco Aurelio (31 Comotto), Dicara; Sommese, Firmani, Tomas, Bernardini, Dal Canto (69 Zanetti); Zauli; Toni.
Manager: Reja
Subs: Santarelli, Beghetto, Comotto, Rossi, Zanetti, Maggio, Esposito.

Referee: Bertini.
Cautions: 55 Cardone, 64 Firmani,