Juventus Clinch Ninth Consecutive Serie A Title After Sampdoria Victory

Juventus sealed a record-extending ninth Serie A title in a row on Sunday night, beating Sampdoria 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium to take an unassailable lead at the top of the table.

La Vecchia Signora did have the chance to wrap up the title when they face Udinese in midweek, but threw away a lead to lose 2-1. However, that result merely prolonged the inevitable - with Juve now confirmed as champions after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi.

I Bianconeri have undoubtedly been worse this season than in previous successful campaigns under both Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri. However, consistent slip-ups from closest challengers Inter and Lazio mean Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and co. have wrapped up the title with two games to spare.

Lazio looked like Juve's closest competitors during a run in which they dropped just points between mid-October until March's suspension of play, but have won only four of their ten games since the restart. They may end up finishing fourth as a result, behind Inter and Atalanta - who have been the standout team in Serie A since things got back underway.

Inter also looked the part while beating teams below them, but their inability to compete with sides towards the top end of the Serie A table has seen them fall short in Conte's first season at San Siro. In Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, I Nerazzurri have had a formidable duo up front - but despite their combined 36 goals (Lukaku with 23, Martinez with 13), too many off days have cost Inter dear.

It's Juve's 36th top flight title and they also have the chance to win their first Champions League since 1996 later this summer. The Turin outfit have a 1-0 deficit to overturn when they face Ligue 1 outfit Lyon in their home leg of the last 16 tie.