Penalties decide spectacular Gamper
IN DETAIL
Goals
0-1; Del Piero (11', penalty)
1-1; Iniesta (66')
2-1; Van Bronckhorst (69')
2-2; Trezeguet (78', penalty)
Tanda de penals
Deco (3-2)
Mutu (3-3)
Eto'o (3-3)
Olivera (3-4)
Márquez (3-4)
Vieira (3-5)
Belletti (4-5)
Trezeguet (4-6).
Juventus have lifted the Joan Gamper Trophy after a spectacular match in the Nou Camp that ended 2-2 and had to be decided by the lottery of penalties.
Manager Frank Rijkaard made plenty of changes both at the beginning and during the match but despite this the players were able to maintain the shape of the team. Messi made his debut in the starting line-up and finally left the field to huge applause from the crowd. The Italians went ahead after only ten minutes but Barca hit back with two goals from Iniesta and Gio to take the lead. However, another penalty in the second half, slotted away by Trezeguet, took the game to penalties and the superior accuracy of the Italian champions ended a run of ten consecutive victories by Barca in the Gamper Tournament.
A show of solidarity
The two teams came out carrying a banner in favour of the UN campaign against poverty but this was the only friendly gesture from two sides that were determined to take away a victory.
Messi and Van Bommel created a couple of chances in the opening ten minutes for Barca, while Juventus sat back and awaited their opportunity. It came soon enough when former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira received the ball inside the Barca penalty area. Oleguer won the ball in what appeared to be a legitimate tackle but Veira went down and the referee pointed to the spot.
From that moment the Italians backtracked and defended with passion. Barca continued to press, with Ronaldinho, a last minute injury doubt due to back muscle problems, providing a number of pinpoint through balls for Iniesta, Larsson and an impressive Messi. However, halftime arrived with 0-1 still on the scoreboard.
After the break, Frank Rijkaard made a number of changes: Jorquera replaced Valdés in goal, while Edmilson and Deco came on for Oleguer and Ronaldinho. The reshuffle paid off in the 67th minute. A fantastic pass from Messi left Iniesta with only Abbiatti to beat and the Spain under-21 international made no mistake. Just three minutes later, a scorcher from Gio from all of 30 metres made it 2-1. However, the Barca joy was short-lived. In the 79th minute Trezeguet equalised from the penalty spot after Edmilson had clearly brought down Mutu. Messi was replaced by Giuly and treated to a standing ovation from the Nou Camp crowd. After the final whistle, the Juventus players were on song in the penalty shootout and won the match 4-6.
source: fcbarcalona.com
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