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Ancelotti’s team claimed a comprehensive win at Vicenza thanks to goals from Trezeguet (two) and Del Piero. Napoli, with goals from ex-Juve players Amoruso and Pecchia, held Roma to a draw. With just one match of the season remaining, the Bianconeri are only two points off the top.

For the first half hour of the match it seemed that the Menti stadium would continue its tradition of being a difficult ground for the Bianconeri. This was a match that was crucial for both teams and the initial stages saw very few spaces to create clear opportunities. Zidane found himself tightly marked, while Trezeguet was literally surrounded by opposing defenders.

Vicenza came to life after fourteen minutes with a shot wide from Jeda, but the first real chance on goal wasn’t until the twenty-seventh minute. Zambrotta made a brilliant run from deep and crossed well, but Sterchele saved from Trezeguet.

After thirty-six minutes Juventus scored the crucial first goal. Alex Del Piero was quick to anticipate the flight of a good cross from the right by Tudor and headed home his sixty-eighth league goal for Juventus. With this goal he equalled the position of his idol Michel Platini in the list of the top-scoring Bianconeri of all-time.

Having taken the lead, Juventus started to play with more fluidity and just four minutes later they scored again: Del Piero crossed into the area where Trezeguet showed great balance to hit a precise left foot shot past Sterchele. The Frenchman seems unstoppable in this form.

Six minutes into the second half Juventus put the result beyond any doubt with a brilliantly planned and executed free-kick move. Del Piero found Zidane, who immediately released Zambrotta on the right hand side of the area. His first time cross was tapped home by Trezeguet with his right foot. An excellent team goal.

Unfortunately, a few minutes later the Frenchman was forced to leave the field after a strong challenge from Cardone left him suffering a problem with his right ankle. Kovacevic came on in his place.

Juventus kept a hold on the three goal lead without many problems. Van der Sar stopped a shot from Bernardini, while Zidane and Zambrotta both went close. The pace of the game fell with Juventus in control. Ferrara came on for Montero and Brighi took the place of Zidane. With just two points between Roma and Juve there is still hope.


VICENZA - JUVENTUS 0-3 (0-2)
Scorers: 36' Del Piero, 40' and 51' Trezeguet
VICENZA (4-4-2): Sterchele; Cardone, Zanchi, Dicara (46' Tomic), Tomas; Firmani, Crovari, Dabo (61' Bernardini), Beghetto; Jeda, Kallon (46' Sommese). Coach: Reja
Subs: Santarelli, Marco Aurelio, Sommese, Bernardini, Brncic, Esposito, Tomic. JUVENTUS (4-3-1-2): Van der Sar; Tudor, Montero (81' Ferrara), Iuliano, Paramatti; Zambrotta, Tacchinardi, Pessotto; Zidane (84' Brighi); Del Piero, Trezeguet (69' Kovacevic). Coach: Ancelotti
Subs: Carini, Ferrara, Birindelli, Athirson, Brighi, Inzaghi, Kovacevic
Referee: De Santis
Booked: 30' Del Piero, 30' Tomas, 60' Cardone
Sent-off: -