Juventus v Atalanta

Or as it's otherwise known as, The Old Lady versus The Giant Killers. Atalanta had come to acquire this nickname due to the fact that they have beaten both Milan clubs and were not to be underestimated.
Yet Atalanta could not make another big club from the northern regions of Italy suffer as Juve ran riot with a 3-0 victory in the first half an hour. Juventus extend there lead at the top by 7 points as Inter lost to Lazio on Saturday.

The game started of in usual way with Juventus keeping a lot of the ball. Mirko Vucini was the first player to inflict damage on the side from Bergamo. He was able to curl the ball with only the Atalanta keeper to beat. Almoat immediately German Denis could have equalised if it was not due to the quick thinking and intervention of Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon was a spectator for a major part of the game, only having to make 2 saves compared to Andrea Consigli's 9. However Buffon was always quick and alert to any danger, because he is a professional after all.

Just ten minutes later Juve had the chance to inflict further damage on the away side when they were given a free kick in an optimum area. Andrea Pirlo duly obliged when his direct free-kick curled over the wall and found its way in the top left hand corner of the goal past Consigli.Confidence was flying high as five minutes later Giorgio Chiellini had a shot from 20 yards just whistle by the post!

Juve did not have to wait long- 7 minutes to be exact before making it 3-0. Claudio Marchisio further demonstrated Juventus' dominance when his 25 yard thunderbolt of a shot went past the fingertips of the Atalanta keeper. All credit to Atalanta, they didn't let their heads drop but any response was made difficult when Thomas Manfredini committed a second bookable offence and left his team to fight on without him.

After the sending off Juve had an opportunity to take their foot off the gas, yet they continued in true fighting spirit. In the second half they had further opportunities to inflict damage on the visiting side. Yet it did not seen to happen as both Sebastian Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella were either caught offside or were just wide of the target.

The first half blitz by Juventus was deemed enough as they won the game with ease and above all... a clean sheet for Buffon!!! Because no matter how great a keeper you are, this is the one stat that many people remember. Now we want a victory against Cagiari, so we can officially call Juventus Winter Champions!!