The Czech veteran fired home a trademark 25-yard drive past Atalanta goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola with less than five minutes remaining.
The Bianconeri had earlier struggled to break down an excellent Orobici backline, although Alessandro Del Piero was in superb form after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Juve boss Claudio Ranieri brought back a host of players rested during Thursday's Coppa Italia defeat at Empoli. Alessandro Del Piero was once again left on the bench, with Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Trezeguet up-front.
Atalanta made just one change from the team that thrashed Napoli 5-1 last week - Diego De Ascentis came in for Antonio Langella.
Juventus made a bright start and had two efforts within the first 90 seconds. First Ferdinando Coppola was at full-stretch to tip Raffaele Palladino's mis-hit cross away, then Trezeguet rose above his man to head a cross straight at the 'keeper.
On 10 minutes the Bianconeri twice went close within quick succession. Coppola pulled off a fantastic save to turn Nedved's vicious free-kick around the post. Then from the resulting corner, Antonio Nocerino hit a half-volley inches wide of the post.
Juve were doing most of the running but Atalanta also looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Sergio Floccari found space on the edge of the box and forced a fine save out of Gianluigi Buffon. Ferreira Pinto also had a decent opening as he ghosted in unchallenged at the far post but he could not direct a left-wing cross on target.
Trezeguet was winning everything in the air and he had a couple of dangerous headed efforts from Cristian Molinaro crosses, one going wide and the other over.
Cristiano Zanetti is not renowned for his shooting but he powered in a rocket of a drive that fizzed just over the bar. Nocerino then put a cross in down the right that Trezeguet was just unable to turn in from close range.
Juve were dominating possession and on 26 minutes Atalanta were forced into some desperate defending as Iaquinta twice had goal-bound shots blocked in the area.
For the remaining 20 minutes of the half the Bianconeri really lost their way. They continued to dominate territory, however they failed to create another opportunity of any note.
The side seemed to be really lacking the creativity of the injured Mauro Camoranesi. Ranieri tried to address this and brought on Del Piero for Iaquinta, in a bid to add some extra guille. Marco Marchionni also entered the fray for the disappointing Palladino.
Del Piero almost made an immediate impact with a delightful touch to put Trezeguet clean through, however the Frenchman was ruled offside.
The Golden Boy was the only player with any spark for the Bianconeri and he went on a mesmerising run down the left to win a corner. He took the set-piece himself and Zanetti jabbed the ball straight at the 'keeper.
On 58 minutes Del Piero beat two men and chipped a beautiful through ball towards Trezeguet. Coppola came out and spilled the ball, but fortunately for him it fell straight to an Atalanta defender.
Del Piero then released Molinaro who's cross was fired inches wide from Trezeguet. The home side continued to dominate possession but the Atalanta defence was holding its own.
In a rare counter-raid Floccari was unmarked from a Ferreira Pinto cross but he headed over.
If there was one man who was going to break the deadlock it was Del Piero and he hit a dangerous, swerving free-kick which skidded wide of Coppola's left-hand post. A minute later another set-piece from the 33-year-old caused problems for the Atalanta backline but the danger passed.
The Golden Boy was on absolute fire and he produced a world-class turn to beat his man, only to be crudely brought down. From the resultant free-kick, Coppola pulled off a magnificent save to turn Del Piero's dipping free-kick around the post. It was destined for the top corner.
It looked like it wasn't going to be Juventus' day but with four minutes to go they finally made the breakthrough. Nedved picked up a loose ball and fired a trademark drive from 25 yards past Coppola and into the bottom corner. It was the Czech star's first goal of the season.
There was still time for Pellegrino to miss a fine chance to equalise, however he failed to make contact with a free-kick from the left.
Juve held on for a priceless three points and they move within three points of second-placed Roma who drew at Livorno today.
Juventus: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Palladino (Marchionni 46), Nocerino, Zanetti, Nedved (Tiago 91); Iaquinta (Del Piero 46), Trezeguet
Atalanta: Coppola; Pellegrino, Carrozzieri, Capelli (Belleri 60), Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, De Ascentis, Guarente (Tissone 72), Padoin (Langella 65); Doni; Floccari
Goal: Nedved 86' (J)
www.goal.com - 09/12/2007 16:40
