Category: <b>Match Reports</b><br><br>The pressure is growing on Didier Deschamps after this embarrassing stalemate with mid-table minnows Albinoleffe. The Turin giants had to do without captain Del Piero due to a muscular problem, but welcomed back Trezeguet from his ban. Albinoleffe certainly did not come to the Olimpico ready to be sacrificial lambs for the leaders, as in the opening three minutes Buffon and his defence scrambled to clear a dangerous Innocenti cross. When the Bianconeri did find a way through the ‘Leffe brick wall, goalkeeper Marchetti was on stunning form with a double point-blank save on Balzaretti and then Palladino’s follow-up. Yet it was ex-Torino Coach Emiliano Mondonico’s side that took the shock lead against the run of play. Former Parma youngster Ruopolo was left totally unmarked to turn past Buffon with the outside of his right foot. It lasted just six minutes, though, as Marchetti’s punched clearance only fell to Balzaretti for a spectacular lob from 30 metres into the empty net.
After the break Trezeguet nodded a Nedved cross wide and Marchetti rushed out to close down the Czech veteran on Palladino’s assist. Palladino and Trezeguet had other chances off target, as despite vastly increasing the pressure in the second half, they had trouble finding the net. Deschamps flung on more attacking players and it turned into a siege with Bojinov’s header thumping the inside of the upright on 83 minutes and another of the Bulgarian’s aerial efforts well saved. Yet this desperation left space at the back and only Boumsong’s intervention for a corner prevented Cellini from finalising a counter-attack. Despite the late surge, Juve could not find a way through.
Scorers: Ruopolo 32 (A), Balzaretti 38 (J)
Juventus: Buffon; Birindelli, Boumsong, Chiellini, Balzaretti; Camoranesi (Bojinov 63), Paro, Giannichedda (Marchisio 78), Nedved; Palladino (Marchionni 73), Trezeguet
Albinoleffe: Marchetti; Colombo, Dal Canto, Santos; Innocenti, Belingheri (Previtali 46), Del Prato, Poloni, Peluso; Bonazzi (Cristiano 64), Ruopolo (Cellini 60)
Ref: Damato
Attendance: To follow.<br><br>Source: Football Italia
After the break Trezeguet nodded a Nedved cross wide and Marchetti rushed out to close down the Czech veteran on Palladino’s assist. Palladino and Trezeguet had other chances off target, as despite vastly increasing the pressure in the second half, they had trouble finding the net. Deschamps flung on more attacking players and it turned into a siege with Bojinov’s header thumping the inside of the upright on 83 minutes and another of the Bulgarian’s aerial efforts well saved. Yet this desperation left space at the back and only Boumsong’s intervention for a corner prevented Cellini from finalising a counter-attack. Despite the late surge, Juve could not find a way through.
Scorers: Ruopolo 32 (A), Balzaretti 38 (J)
Juventus: Buffon; Birindelli, Boumsong, Chiellini, Balzaretti; Camoranesi (Bojinov 63), Paro, Giannichedda (Marchisio 78), Nedved; Palladino (Marchionni 73), Trezeguet
Albinoleffe: Marchetti; Colombo, Dal Canto, Santos; Innocenti, Belingheri (Previtali 46), Del Prato, Poloni, Peluso; Bonazzi (Cristiano 64), Ruopolo (Cellini 60)
Ref: Damato
Attendance: To follow.<br><br>Source: Football Italia
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