Fernando Llorente was Juventus' hero as he scored both
goals in a 2-0 win over Livorno that cements a top-two finish in Serie A.
With third-placed Napoli losing to Parma on Sunday, Juve
coach Antonio Conte knew three points against their relegation-threatened
visitors on Monday would seal UEFA Champions League football next season.
And the reigning champions, who are now eight points
clear of Roma in second and 20 in front of Napoli with just six games
remaining, put in an assured display with Llorente, who sat out the midweek
UEFA Europa League win at Lyon, striking twice in three first-half minutes.
The Spaniard's first was an emphatic finish from inside
the six-yard box, and he then saw a near-post header creep under Francesco
Bardi to ensure Juve bounced back from just their second league defeat of the
season at Napoli last week by maintaining their perfect home record in Serie A
this term.
The second half lacked the intensity of the first, with
neither side really coming close to scoring, as Juve seemed content to control
proceedings by dominating possession.
Livorno, meanwhile, stay two points adrift of safety in
18th place.
After threatening through Innocent Emeghara in the
opening minute, the visitors struggled to contain Conte's side and their goal
led a charmed life.
Giorgio Chiellini and Stephan Lichtsteiner wasted early
chances for the hosts, but Juve’s pressure eventually paid dividends with
Llorente’s quickfire double just after the half-hour mark.
Carlos Tevez was the architect for the opener, as he
played a neat pass into Llorente, before the Spaniard spun away from his marker
and lashed the ball into the top corner.
The 29-year-old then doubled his tally with a close-range
header. Andrea Pirlo delivered a corner to the near post and Llorente's header
somehow squirmed under Bardi.
Paul Pogba and Tevez both had opportunities to extend
Juve's lead further in the closing minutes of the half, but their long-range
efforts were just wide of goal.
The start of the second half mirrored the first as
Livorno came out very quickly, but their inability to test Gianluigi Buffon
meant the hosts were able to keep them at bay.
Juve were far from their best after the break and looked
to hit their opponents on the counter-attack, although chances were at a
premium.
Llorente's search for a hat-trick saw his first sight of
goal in the second half hit the side-netting, while Pogba scuffed an
opportunity wide from inside the area.
Livorno's Alfred Duncan finally called Buffon into action
just before the hour, and the Italy keeper was equal to his long-range effort
with a one-handed save.
With Thursday's Europe League quarter-final second leg
with Lyon on the horizon, Conte was able to rest Pogba, Llorente and Tevez in
the final 20 minutes of the match as Juve took another step towards their third
consecutive Scudetto.
Culled from Soccerway
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