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In the last game of the first half of the season for the Bianconeri, Ancelotti's lads faced the team that has been one of the revelations of the season, Atalanta. An important match that could have put Juve on equal points with the League leaders Roma, so piling on the pressure on the team from the capital ahead of their difficult away tie in Parma on Sunday. It was not to be.

The Bianconero coach had to do without Conte, Fonseca, O'Neill and Trezeguet, all of whom were injured and couldn't rely on the services of Athirson either, who is behind in his preparations.

So the team lined-up in the 4-3-1-2 as expected. Paramatti, Iuliano, Montero and Pessotto at the back. Zambrotta, Davids and Tacchinardi in the midfield, with Zidane pushed up behind the front two of Inzaghi and Del Piero.

In the first twenty minutes the match was played at frenetic speeds, with Edgar Davids, still fired up from his goal against Vicenza last night firing in within seconds of the opening whistle. But his long-range effort failed to trouble Pelizzoli at the back for Atalanta. A minute later it was Iuliano who got on the end of a corner from Del Piero, but the Atalanta man was well placed to hold the shot.

Atalanta were sitting back hoping to hit the visitors on the break, but this just gave room to the Juve strikers to press forward, and after nine minutes Del Piero struck a sweet shot on the turn, only to see it go wide.

The home side didn't get a shot in until a quarter of an hour into the match, when Morfeo touched a ball back to Doni who fired in just wide of the goal guarded by Van der Sar.

There were chances at each end, but the defences prevailed, restricting the two teams to long range efforts, until Ventola showed some enterprising play on the flank 37 minutes in, skipping past Montero and touching a ball on to Berretta who found Morfeo in space. But the Dutch keeper pulled off the save of the half to keep the ex-Fiorentina man's left footed strike out.

The second half began with a touch of class from Zidane who back-heeled a ball through to Inzaghi who charged in on the Atalanta goal at pace, with the home side having Zauri to thank for a timely intervention that kept the scores static on 0-0. There was little to report in the opening few minutes, with both teams cancelling each other out in the midfield.

After 15 minutes of the half, Atalanta break thanks to Morfeo. He was able to pick out Ventola who managed to beat the off-side trap, but wanted too much time on the ball, and Uruguayan hard-man Montero was able to get back and sweep the ball out into touch.

After 65 minutes Kovacevic came on for Juve, and with that the game began to turn in Juve's favour, although it was Inzaghi rather than the Yugoslav who turned on the style. First Parmatti lifted a ball in for Inzaghi whose diving header was only kept out by a fingertip save from the Atalanta keeper.

But Inzaghi was not be kept out for long. Five minutes later the ex-Atalanta man once again headed on goal from a Zidane cross, this time - in no small part thanks to a deflection from an unfortunate Paganin - the ball wrong footed Pelizzoli and flu into the net, putting the visitors ahead. 1-0 Juve.

But the lead would not last long, as the home side hit back immediately. No doubt Vavassori will claim it was an inspired substituion, but Lorenzi came on because Carrera was injured. Morfeo was once again instrumental. His floated in cross was met by Lorenzi who climbed above everyone and knocked in just beneath the crossbar. 1-1 after 75 minutes.

Then the impossible happened. With Atalanta's spirits raised by their goal they struck again, this time through Ventola. With Juve pushing forward in an attempt to re-establish their lead no one saw the ex-Inter man steal behind the defence to get onto a ball from Donati. Although Paramatti managed to get a tackle in, Ventola was able to hold him off and his accurate shot beat the Dutchman. 2-1.

At that point Juve through caution to the wind and in the dying minutes of the match twice went close to drawing level. First Kovacevic's overhead in the box was only kept out by Zauri on the line, with the keeper beaten; while in time added on for injuries Pelizzoli had to be quick off his line to beat Inzaghi to the ball. It was to be Juve's last chance.

After staring defeat in the face the home team was able to turn things around to take all three points and set Fabio Capello's mind at rest… at least for another Sunday.

ATALANTA 2-1 JUVENTUS (0-0)
Goals: 72 Inzaghi, 75 Lorenzi, 36 Ventola

ATALANTA (4-4-1-1) Pelizzoli; C. Zenoni, Paganin, Carrera (Lorenzi), Zauri; D. Zenoni, Berretta, Donati, Doni; Morfeo (Bellini); Ventola
Manager: Vavassori
Subs: Pinato, Lorenzi, Bellini, Dundjerski, Pinardi, Nappi, Ganz

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

Referee: De Santis.
Cautions: Montero, Davids, Kovacevic