Consistency and character bring Juve 28th title

Juventus's 28th Italian title was won in the manner to which their supporters have become accustomed with little fuss and impressive application. It was a success based on a tightly organised and disciplined defence, a hardworking midfield with a touch of creativity and a top class strike force.

Above all it has been a title secured by a coach made to measure for Juventus - Fabio Capello.

His decision, at the end of last season, to walk out on Roma and take over from Marcello Lippi caught Italian football by surprise but it has worked out perfectly for the coach and Juventus.

Capello left behind financial problems in the boardroom and personality problems in the dressing room at Roma to enjoy again the benefits that flow from a well-organised and professional set-up like that he had fashioned at Milan and Real Madrid.

In return he gave Juventus the steel and experience of a man who has now won titles at four clubs.

The first impact Capello had on Juventus was to sort out a defence that had become uncharacteristically a weak point in Lippi's final season.

He did that by signing Italy international Fabio Cannavaro from Inter on the eve of the season and bringing French full-back Jonathan Zebina with him from Roma.

Cannavaro, who had endured his worst season at Inter, quickly returned to being the quality organiser of the backline that he had been during his years at Parma.

Zebina, treated badly by Roma supporters, rediscovered his confidence at right-back and his arrival also allowed compatriot Lilian Thuram to move across to the middle to partner Cannavaro.

The changes re-created the foundations of the successful Parma side of a few years ago with Gianluigi Buffon guarded by two top quality central defenders.

Another player to move to Turin from Rome with Capello was Emerson who injected some craft into what had been a fairly workmanlike midfield.

Emerson's impact in the centre allowed Czech Pavel Nedved to focus on his penetrating bursts down the left and with Mauro Camoranesi having a good season on the right flank, Juve had a balance that had been missing from Lippi's last team.

In attack Capello finally got the man he had wanted for two years at Roma - Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic bought from Ajax in a 16-million-euro deal.

With 16 goals Ibrahimovic has been central to Juve's success in what was another injury-hampered campaign for French forward David Trezeguet.

The title race was between Juventus and Milan virtually from the outset with Inter's remarkable run of draws and Roma's crisis leaving no other challenger.

At the start of February Juve looked to have half a hand on the 'scudetto' when they opened an eight-point lead over Milan.

But then a 1-0 defeat at home to Sampdoria was followed by a loss at Palermo and after a win over Udinese a goalless draw at Messina allowed Milan to get back on level terms within the space of four games.

It was a period when Juventus were without the injured Nedved and had their minds on their Champions League ambitions.

Perhaps the game which showed the spirit that was so essential to Juve's title triumph was one that produced a modest result - a draw at lowly Fiorentina.

In a hostile stadium Juve came back three times to draw 3-3 with Ibrahimovic scoring twice. More than just a point earned, it was a demonstration of the team's character.

Then came another wobble as Juve were knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool and then beaten at home by old rivals Inter.

A slump was avoided with a 1-0 win at Lazio, thanks to a late Nedved goal, before the turning point of the entire campaign - a 1-0 win over Milan on May 8.

The teams had gone into the game at San Siro level on points but a Trezeguet header from a spectacular overhead cross from Alessandro Del Piero gave them victory and a three-point lead.

When Milan stumbled in a 2-2 draw at Lecce and Juve beat Parma at home the title race was all but over and Milan's 3-3 draw with Palermo at San Siro on Friday ensured another triumph for the Turin club.