Ferdinando Coppola was in inspired form in the visitors' goal and, despite some inspirational play from substitute Alessandro Del Piero, the match seemed to be heading for a goalless draw.

But Pavel Nedved's superb strike from long range in the 86th minute, his first goal of the season, keeps the Bianconeri in third place.

The home side enjoyed the best of a tepid first half and could have gone in front in the 11th minute.

Nedved deceived Coppola with a shot from a free-kick after initially shaping to cross the ball into the penalty area but the Atalanta shotstopper recovered well to tip the ball wide.

Two minutes later the visitors had their only first-half attempt at goal.

Forward Sergio Floccari found some space and hit a low shot from inside the penalty area but Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon blocked the shot.

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri introduced Del Piero at the half-time break and he reinvigorated their front line, helping Cristiano Zanetti bring a good save out of Coppola in the 57th minute.

Del Piero delivered a dangerous corner to the near post and Zanetti evaded his marker and flicked an attempt at goal but an unsighted Coppola was able to claim the ball with a low save to his right.

Three minutes later Del Piero was again instrumental, this time creating a good chance for striker David Trezeguet.

The Juventus playmaker beat a couple of defenders before he dinked a lofted pass into the path of Trezeguet who found himself with only Coppola to beat.

The goalkeeper rushed from his line and Trezeguet deceived him with a drop of the shoulder but just as he was about to pull the trigger into a an empty goal Maximiliano Pellegrino was able to intercept.

Del Piero had a chance himself in the 78th minute when Juventus were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area.

The 33-year-old curled his shot over the Atalanta wall and the ball seemed to be heading for the top-left corner but Coppola was able to palm it to safety at full stretch.

Juventus' second-half pressure eventually paid off and Nedved found the net in the 86th minute with a fine strike.

Morris Carrozzieri appeared to be fouled by Del Piero but the ball broke to Nedved in the final third of the visitors' half.

The former Czech Republic international outmuscled Diego De Ascentis before unleashing a fierce low drive from 35 yards which beat the flailing dive of Coppola and nestled in the bottom right corner of the net.

The Nerazzurri pressed for a late equaliser but Buffon was never really tested in the Juventus goal as his side held on to claim the points.