Played
April 29, 2012 9:00 AM EDT
Stadio Comunale Silvio Piola — Novara
Referee: D. Celi
Attendance: 17649
April 29, 2012 9:00 AM EDT
Stadio Comunale Silvio Piola — Novara
Referee: D. Celi
Attendance: 17649
Top of the Match
Mirko Vučinić
Juventus
Juventus
Mirko Vučinić
Juventus
Juventus
Flop of the Match
Filippo Porcari
Novara
Novara
Alberto Maria Fontana
Novara
Novara
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Novara 0-4 Juventus: Vucinic grabs a double as Bianconeri move to within two wins of Scudetto
Marco Borriello and Arturo Vidal were on the scoresheet as Antonio Conte's side continuea to hold off the title challenge of a second-placed AC Milan.
By Tom Webber
Juventus retained its three-point advantage at the top of Serie A as the club cantered to a 4-0 win over Novara at the Silvio Piola Stadium.
The result never looked in doubt as Mirko Vucinic catapulted the Old Lady ahead in the 16th minute before his strike partner Marco Borriello added the second before the break. Arturo Vidal added a third soon after the restart and Vucinic completed the rout with his second.
After the nail-biting victory over Cesena last week, Juve set about ensuring its supporters had a far more comfortable afternoon right from the kickoff.
Within two minutes Borriello was played in behind the defense by Vucinic. He aimed for the far corner with a cross-goal shot but it bent away from the target and shaded the outside of the post.
Juve continued to attack relentlessly and the Novara defense could only keep the team out until the 16th minute.
Andrea Pirlo's free kick from the left found Vucinic in the box and the Montenegrin added the most deft of flicks that diverted the ball into the goal via the crossbar.
Antonio Conte's men were not letting up and continued to stretch the Novara defense, but Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner failed to add to their team's tally.
Andrea Mazzarini missed Novara's best chance of the half on the 30-minute mark when his header looped onto the roof of the net. The home side was then punished 10 minutes later when the Bianconeri finally added their second goal.
Emanuele Giaccherini supplied a superb cross to the back post which was met by an unmarked Borriello and the striker found the back of the net with a diving header.
The second half provided no respite for the home team and after Borriello failed to convert a simple tap in three minutes after the restart, Vidal added the third.
With 50 minutes played Vucinic saw his initial effort saved by Alberto Fontana but the rebound fell straight to the feet of the Chilean. It was a simple finish and he coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with the keeper out of position.
Novara was being totally outclassed and in the 64th minute Vucinic slammed in the rebound after Giaccherini's shot was saved by Fontana to make it 4-0.
Elijero Elia failed to make it a five-star performance when his shot was saved magnificently by Fontana 12 minutes from time.
The Bianconeri stepped off the gas and coasted to the final whistle, but there was still time for Pirlo to rattle the post with an exquisite stoppage-time free kick 25 yards from goal.
Juventus is now one game closer to its first Scudetto since the 2002/03 campaign. AC Milan's victory over Siena means that the Turin side maintains its three-point lead over the Rossoneri but now just three games remain.
For Novara, relegation looms ever larger and the club could well be confirmed for the drop if it fails to win its next match away to Fiorentina.
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The result never looked in doubt as Mirko Vucinic catapulted the Old Lady ahead in the 16th minute before his strike partner Marco Borriello added the second before the break. Arturo Vidal added a third soon after the restart and Vucinic completed the rout with his second.
After the nail-biting victory over Cesena last week, Juve set about ensuring its supporters had a far more comfortable afternoon right from the kickoff.
Within two minutes Borriello was played in behind the defense by Vucinic. He aimed for the far corner with a cross-goal shot but it bent away from the target and shaded the outside of the post.
Juve continued to attack relentlessly and the Novara defense could only keep the team out until the 16th minute.
Andrea Pirlo's free kick from the left found Vucinic in the box and the Montenegrin added the most deft of flicks that diverted the ball into the goal via the crossbar.
Antonio Conte's men were not letting up and continued to stretch the Novara defense, but Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner failed to add to their team's tally.
Andrea Mazzarini missed Novara's best chance of the half on the 30-minute mark when his header looped onto the roof of the net. The home side was then punished 10 minutes later when the Bianconeri finally added their second goal.
Emanuele Giaccherini supplied a superb cross to the back post which was met by an unmarked Borriello and the striker found the back of the net with a diving header.
The second half provided no respite for the home team and after Borriello failed to convert a simple tap in three minutes after the restart, Vidal added the third.
With 50 minutes played Vucinic saw his initial effort saved by Alberto Fontana but the rebound fell straight to the feet of the Chilean. It was a simple finish and he coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with the keeper out of position.
Novara was being totally outclassed and in the 64th minute Vucinic slammed in the rebound after Giaccherini's shot was saved by Fontana to make it 4-0.
Elijero Elia failed to make it a five-star performance when his shot was saved magnificently by Fontana 12 minutes from time.
The Bianconeri stepped off the gas and coasted to the final whistle, but there was still time for Pirlo to rattle the post with an exquisite stoppage-time free kick 25 yards from goal.
Juventus is now one game closer to its first Scudetto since the 2002/03 campaign. AC Milan's victory over Siena means that the Turin side maintains its three-point lead over the Rossoneri but now just three games remain.
For Novara, relegation looms ever larger and the club could well be confirmed for the drop if it fails to win its next match away to Fiorentina.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edinson Cavani Striker Napoli |
28 | 7 |
|
Antonio Di Natale Striker Udinese |
22 | 4 |
|
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Striker Roma |
16 | 2 |
|
Stephan El Shaarawy Midfielder Milan |
16 | 0 |
|
Germán Denis Striker Atalanta |
15 | 5 |
