Atalanta-JUVE (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Maher
- Start date
Atalanta 1 1 Juventus
Juventus are held to a surprise draw, but the worst news comes from Alessandro Del Piero as he limped off with a sprained ankle.
Atalanta were coming off two consecutive victories when they welcomed title holders Juventus to the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia.
Pavel Nedved was ruled out with a throat infection, so Marco Di Vaio pushed Alessandro Del Piero into a deeper role.
Juve maintained some early possession, but the home side had the best chances with Fabio Rossini's drive over the bar and a splendid Lilian Thuram tackle stopping Alex Pinardi in his tracks.
Di Vaio went close on the half-hour mark with a curling left-foot effort from the edge of the box.
However, Atalanta stayed solid and took full advantage of a defensive error just before the break. Thuram kept Alex Pinardi onside and the teenager kept his cool to curl past Gianluigi Buffon with the outside of his right foot.
Juventus drew level at the dawn of the second half when Di Vaio was left unmarked for a free header on a Mauro Camoranesi corner kick.
The Argentine was being watched by Italy boss Giovanni Trapattoni in the stands and only a desperate Massimo Taibi save prevented Camoranesi from scoring.
David Trezeguet did not have a particularly good game and his weak header was well saved, while Paolo Montero's header was also blocked.
Juve continued to push, but nine minutes from time Fabio Rossini saw a goal disallowed for a push.
The tension rose and Cristiano Doni saw his second yellow card for a late challenge on Montero.
The Bianconeri poured forward in the final minutes and Taibi performed another stunning save on Marcelo Zalayeta's shot from eight yards. Del Piero hurt his ankle during that move and limped off, leaving both teams in ten men.
Moments later Luciano Zauri drilled a dangerous effort inches wide of the far post.
Atalanta: Taibi; Siviglia, Sala, Natali, Zauri; Zenoni, Berretta, Dabo, Doni; Pinardi (Tramezzani 82), Rossini
Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Montero, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Conte (Tudor 46), Davids (Tacchinardi 75); Del Piero; Di Vaio (Zalayeta 75), Trezeguet
Ref: Pellegrino
Sent off: Doni 82 (A)
Football Italia
Juventus are held to a surprise draw, but the worst news comes from Alessandro Del Piero as he limped off with a sprained ankle.
Atalanta were coming off two consecutive victories when they welcomed title holders Juventus to the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia.
Pavel Nedved was ruled out with a throat infection, so Marco Di Vaio pushed Alessandro Del Piero into a deeper role.
Juve maintained some early possession, but the home side had the best chances with Fabio Rossini's drive over the bar and a splendid Lilian Thuram tackle stopping Alex Pinardi in his tracks.
Di Vaio went close on the half-hour mark with a curling left-foot effort from the edge of the box.
However, Atalanta stayed solid and took full advantage of a defensive error just before the break. Thuram kept Alex Pinardi onside and the teenager kept his cool to curl past Gianluigi Buffon with the outside of his right foot.
Juventus drew level at the dawn of the second half when Di Vaio was left unmarked for a free header on a Mauro Camoranesi corner kick.
The Argentine was being watched by Italy boss Giovanni Trapattoni in the stands and only a desperate Massimo Taibi save prevented Camoranesi from scoring.
David Trezeguet did not have a particularly good game and his weak header was well saved, while Paolo Montero's header was also blocked.
Juve continued to push, but nine minutes from time Fabio Rossini saw a goal disallowed for a push.
The tension rose and Cristiano Doni saw his second yellow card for a late challenge on Montero.
The Bianconeri poured forward in the final minutes and Taibi performed another stunning save on Marcelo Zalayeta's shot from eight yards. Del Piero hurt his ankle during that move and limped off, leaving both teams in ten men.
Moments later Luciano Zauri drilled a dangerous effort inches wide of the far post.
Atalanta: Taibi; Siviglia, Sala, Natali, Zauri; Zenoni, Berretta, Dabo, Doni; Pinardi (Tramezzani 82), Rossini
Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Montero, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Conte (Tudor 46), Davids (Tacchinardi 75); Del Piero; Di Vaio (Zalayeta 75), Trezeguet
Ref: Pellegrino
Sent off: Doni 82 (A)
Football Italia
Blegh.
We plainly sucked in the first half. I doubt it's because of Nedved missing that we did, but the teamwork just wasn't there. Trez had a sh*tty game tonight. Almost had a chance to score (he was unmark at a point) from a perfect Zambrotta's cross, but lost his footing. Di Vaio is not good with the corners. He practically gave away our first corner and cause Atalanta to get back on the counter. We're lucky they didn't score then. A few other bad corners followed. Conte in the middle just didn't work out. And Lippi made a good decision by putting Tudor in place of him in the second half. Atalanta's goal was caused by a very bad defensive mistake on our part.
I bet Lippi must've given our boys a good kick in the arse during half time, cos we played much better in the second. Di Vaio's goal came 5 minutes after the 2nd half kick-off, a header straight in from a Camo corner. Camo seemed to be playing in a much deeper role too towards the center. And I think his yellow was a bit harsh. It wasn't a deliberate hand-ball IMO. After viewing the slow-motion replays again and again, even the commentators thought so.
On the other hand, Davids, Del Piero and Thuram were excellent tonight.
I'm gonna watch the tape again and probably give more detailed comments...
Ps: We really should be worrying about the next game. Camo is suspended, and we just need to hope that DP's ankle injury is not too serious (even though from the looks of it, I don't think he'll be able to play a few matches ahead :down: ). Hopefully by then, Nedved is able to play.
-S-
We plainly sucked in the first half. I doubt it's because of Nedved missing that we did, but the teamwork just wasn't there. Trez had a sh*tty game tonight. Almost had a chance to score (he was unmark at a point) from a perfect Zambrotta's cross, but lost his footing. Di Vaio is not good with the corners. He practically gave away our first corner and cause Atalanta to get back on the counter. We're lucky they didn't score then. A few other bad corners followed. Conte in the middle just didn't work out. And Lippi made a good decision by putting Tudor in place of him in the second half. Atalanta's goal was caused by a very bad defensive mistake on our part.
I bet Lippi must've given our boys a good kick in the arse during half time, cos we played much better in the second. Di Vaio's goal came 5 minutes after the 2nd half kick-off, a header straight in from a Camo corner. Camo seemed to be playing in a much deeper role too towards the center. And I think his yellow was a bit harsh. It wasn't a deliberate hand-ball IMO. After viewing the slow-motion replays again and again, even the commentators thought so.
On the other hand, Davids, Del Piero and Thuram were excellent tonight.
I'm gonna watch the tape again and probably give more detailed comments...
Ps: We really should be worrying about the next game. Camo is suspended, and we just need to hope that DP's ankle injury is not too serious (even though from the looks of it, I don't think he'll be able to play a few matches ahead :down: ). Hopefully by then, Nedved is able to play.
-S-