Fiorentina vs. Juventus 2-2
In the first-leg match of Coppa Italia last sixteen tie, Juventus earn a 2-2 draw at the Franchi stadium. The first half ends with Fiorentina in advantage thanks to Bojinov’s goal. After the interval, the match is suspended for 25 minutes. Back on the pitch, Pazzini doubles the advantage, then Capello’s side get in control of the match and achieves the draw with goals by Pessotto and Mutu.
The news of the days is Buffon’s comeback after the three-month stop due to the shoulder surgery. The other news in the line-up is Balzaretti, positioned in the midfield on Blasi’s right, with the latter being proposed again as wing defender. In the first few minutes of the game, Bojinov turns up but his finishes are wide of target. Juventus get dangerous on 7’ minutes with Balzaretti who drives on the right flanks, the ball gets to Del Piero in the midfield but he’s anticipated by Ujfalusi. On 15’ minutes, Del Piero tries a left-footed from the edge of the penalty area but it ends beyond the goal line. One minute later, Zalayeta heads the ball, following Mutu’s free kick, but Frey saves. On 21’ minutes, it’s Fiorentina’s turn to attack with Jorghensen who serves Pazzini from the left but the striker’s deflection drives the ball out. Capello’s side gets dangerous after about thirty minutes into the first half time: Del Piero’s free kick is deflected by a defender, Zalayeta grabs the ball and drives a powerful shot who hits the crossbar. To follow, Mutu’s free kick is countered by Frey. Fiorentina finally breaks the tie: on 38’ minutes, Maggio drives down on the right flank, serves Ujfalusi, the ball gets to Bojinov who beats Buffon with a right-footed shot (1-0). Bojinov is dangerous again on 42’ minutes when his drive singes the crossbar. In the final minutes, Vieira’s powerful right-footed kick from the distance ends high over the bar.
After the interval, the game re-starts for only two minutes, then the referee has to suspend it for the fumes of the tear-gas used by police outside of the stadium to quell some trouble between the two sides’ supporters. After about 25 minutes, the second half can start again and Fiorentina take the double advantage after 5 minutes with Pazzini (2-0). Juventus do not give up and hit back. On 8’ minutes, Capello’s side reduces the gap thanks to a fantastic goal scored by Pessotto who beats Frey with an unstoppable right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area (2-1). The Bianconeri coach makes three substitutions at the same time: the goalscorer, Giannichedda and Zalayeta make way for Emerson, Nedved and Ibrahimovic. And it’s the latter who, after 16 minutes, served by Nedved, tries the shot but the ball gets out. On 20’ minutes, Mutu’s free kick is intercepted by Del Piero, Ibrahimovic deflects it into goal but the referee nullifies it for offside of the forwards. Four minutes later, there it comes the draw: Mutu drives a cross shot from the left, the ball follows a strange trajectory that misleads Frey, it hits the post and gets in (2-2). Fiorentina, who are no longer dangerous after the second goal, attempt on goal with Bojinov, Buffon saves. Juventus continue to build up the game until the end but the result doesn’t change. The second leg match is scheduled on January, 11th in Turin.
FIORENTINA vs JUVENTUS 2-2
GOALS: 38’fh Bojinov, 5’sh Pazzini, 8’sh Pessotto, 24’sh Mutu
FIORENTINA: Frey; Maggio, Gamberini, Di Loreto, Ujfalusi, Pancaro; Jorghensen (1’sh Pasqual), Pazienza, Montolivo; Bojinov (44’sh Bochu), Pazzini (22’sh Vryzas). Coach: Prandelli . Substitutes: Cejas, Brivio, Guoigou, Toni
JUVENTUS:Buffon; Blasi, Kovac, Thuram, Pessotto (9’sh Emerson); Balzaretti, Giannichedda (9’sh Nedved), Vieira, Mutu; Del Piero, Zalayeta (9’sh Ibrahimovic).
Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Camoranesi.
REFEREE: Palanca
YELLOW CARDS: 18’sh Ujfalusi
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