The most recent Juventus victory over this weekend's opponents Lazio at the Allianz Stadium dates back to 6 March 2021.
It was Matchday 26 of a season that was overshadowed by the COVID restrictions. Despite the empty stadium the match was important. It carried plenty of promise and delivered on all fronts.
TACTICS TAILORED TO FIT
The above photo captures a tackle in midfield between Danilo and Luis Alberto. The Brazilian was deployed in a more advanced role by coach Andrea Pirlo, while another unexpected tactical solution was the presence of Bernardeschi as left wing-back.
The 4-2-3-1 set up by Juventus sought to out-do the classic 3-5-2 formation put out by Simone Inzaghi and his then Lazio.
THE VISITORS START STRONGLY
Wojciech Szczęsny gathering the ball under the watchful eye of his defence. This was the theme in the opening phases of the match as Lazio took the game to the hosts.
Their superiority bore fruit just before the quarter of an hour with Joaquìn Correa's goal, followed up by a save from the Polish goalkeeper from Sergej Milinković-Savić's curling effort.
ADRIEN BEFORE THE BREAK
Juve dug in and pulled level just before the interval. Adrien Rabiot was picked out on the run by Alvaro Morata.
The midfielder still had a lot to do and despite being in a wide position, he invented an unstoppable shot that crashed in under the crossbar.
FEDERICO CALLS THE CHARGE
After the break Federico Chiesa set the scene for the second half when he displayed all his dribbling skills to break free from his markers and test Pepe Reina in the Lazio goal.
NINE DECISIVE MINUTES
The key events unfolded in nine second-half minutes. On 51', Lazio came close to restoring their advantage when Milinkovic twisted a header toward goal, but which struck the crossbar.
The alarm bell was heeded by the Bianconeri when a few minutes later they sprinted up the field to take the lead for the first time. Again Chiesa was inspirational. Breaking from midfield at pace, he slipped a pass into the path of Alvaro Morata, who impressively fired the ball into the top corner.
Three minutes later, the striker slotted home a penalty to give Juve a two-goal cushion from which Lazio never recoverd.