Associated Press

Rome, May 21:

Juventus clinched its record 28th Serie A title when nearest challenger AC Milan drew Palermo 3-3 today. The draw gave Juventus an unassailable four-point lead over defending champion Milan, which has only one game remaining. It looked as if Juve would have to wait another two days to clinch the title when Milan led Palermo 3-1 with 13 minutes remaining.

But Palermo was awarded a penalty that Luca Toni converted in the 77th, and Simone Barone equalised when Milan’s defence failed to take advantage of several clearing chances in the 79th, silencing San Siro stadium except for a small pocket of pink-clad Palermo fans. Palermo is a city also known for its support of Juventus, and the fans were likely just as excited about helping the Turin club as drawing with Milan. Sixth-placed Palermo is also trying to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Cup.

The key victory in Juve’s third title run in four seasons was a 1-0 win over Milan at San Siro on May 8, when French striker David Trezeguet netted the winner after missing much of the season with an ankle injury. The “scudetto” made Fabio Capello a champion again in his first season as Juventus coach, having left AS Roma after last season. Capello has now won seven national league titles: Four with Milan in the 1990s, one with Real Madrid in 1997, and another in 2001 with Roma before going to Turin. The Turin club added several key players in the offseason, such as striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, and sometimes Brazil captain Emerson.

Milan played its 37th-round match early to give it more time to rest before Wednesday’s Champions League final against Liverpool in Istanbul, Turkey. With the Champions League final in mind, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded mostly reserves against Palermo. Still, Milan controlled most of the play early on. Eight minutes in, Brazilian Serginho took advantage with Palermo goalkeeper Matteo Guardalben out of position to score an easy opening goal. But a minute later Palermo equalised when Milan’s 39-year-old defender Alessandro Costacurta scored an own goal. Costacurta was trying to head the ball back to goalkeeper Christian Abbiati but placed it too far out of reach. In the 16th, Crespo’s expert heel pass set up Serginho’s second goal. Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson made it 3-1 in the 32nd with an acrobatic play from the centre of the area off a bouncing cross.