Defending champions Juventus mathematically secured a record-equalling fifth consecutive Serie A title on Sunday after Roma stunned second-placed Napoli with a last-gasp winner.
Juventus, emulating their feat of 1935 when the Turin giants won a fifth straight title for the first time, had gone 12 points clear of Napoli with a 2-1 win at Fiorentina on Saturday when goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made a last-gasp penalty save from Nikola Kalinic.
Napoli had to beat Roma to have any chance of maintaining their bid for a first title in 26 years, but Maurizio Sarri’s men were stunned when Radja Nainggolan hit an 89th minute winner for the hosts.
It left Juve 12 points clear of Napoli with only three games remaining this season. Napoli remain second but are now just two points ahead of Roma.
On Sunday, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saved a last-gasp penalty from Nikola Kalinic as leaders Juventus put one hand on the title with a dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina.
It was a rollercoaster game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Alvaro Morata scrambling in what turned out to be the winner on 83 minutes just after Kalinic had cancelled out Mario Mandzukic’s 39th-minute opener only two minutes earlier.
Buffon then stopped the Croatian’s spot-kick at the death after he had been hauled down by Juan Cuadrado. Davide Astori spurned a great chance in injury time, the Italian’s header from a tight angle coming off post and crossbar as Buffon scrambled to get the ball to safety.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri said last week he would happily watch Juve crowned champions on television if Roma beat Napoli on Monday.
But he told Sky Sport: “We have to keep the tension high because we also have the Italian Cup final to play (against AC Milan), that’s our second objective this season.
“Winning in Florence wasn’t easy, the lads played very well against a great Fiorentina that was dangerous and would have deserved a draw.”
Fiorentina remain fifth and firmly in contention for a Europa League place, but Paulo Sousa’s men are now in danger of seeing their six-point lead on AC Milan reduced if they beat Carpi on Monday.
