21 September 2008 Juventus.com
Juve win again thanks to Amauri
It's 1-0 week: after Udinese and Zenit, Juventus won at Cagliari too with the same result, thanks to an Amauri goal, but the defence did their part too, Manninger imitating Buffon to save on Matri near the end. The Bianconeri now have seven points and are already top of the League, the same as Inter Milan, who play later tonight. On Wednesday the next test, against Catania at the Olimpico.
The first long period without Trezeguet began today. Del Piero, Camoranesi, Zanetti and Zebina were also unavailable. Ranieri chose Amauri and Iaquinta up front for the match at Cagliari, coming between the ones against Zenit and Catania. Marchionni replaced Camoranesi. Grygera, Legrottaglie and Poulsen were rested. Salihamidzic, Mellberg and Marchionni played instead. Molinaro was selected over De Ceglie.
The fears before the match, remembering how the two games went last year, proved to be well-founded. Cagliari still had no points and played an open game, forcing the Bianconeri's defence to work hard on more than one occasion. The game could've had a turning point early on, but Amauri's goal was disallowed by referee Brighi, who saw a Iaquinta foul.
Buffon had a tougher afternoon than expected, especially because he suffered a muscle injury after just a few minutes. The keeper put on a brave face, and resisted the whole first half, proving decisive, especially on a Matri volley. With the half-time break approaching, Juve got their goal. Marchionni crossed from the left, Iaquinta controlled the ball and set up Amauri, whose shot was as spectacular as it was effective: it was the second goal from the Brazilian in one week and the half ended 1-0.
Only 20 of the 22 players that had started the match came on for the second half: Buffon was forced to leave and leave his place to Manninger, who made his official debut. On the other side, Acquafresca replaced Larrivey. Iaquinta had a chance, Bianco was booked, and then there was another substitution. Ranieri tried Tiago for Sissoko. Allegri replied putting on Jeda for Fini, with Cagliari aiming to try all they could to score.
But the Bianconeri had the best chances, twice with Iaquinta scissor kicks and then with a long-range shot by Marchisio, who was later booked; Ranieri then took the young midfielder off – who was also injured -, replacing him with De Ceglie. The hosts never gave up and Jeda was the most dangerous man, with Manninger having to save on him twice. But the Austrian keeper's true masterpiece save came in the 90th minute, on a Matri volley - a save that was as important as the goal by Amauri. So Juve fly to the top of the League, thanks also to their new players' contribution.
for some believing it was something else
2008/09 Serie A – Day 3
Cagliari, Sant’Elia Stadium
Sunday September 21th 2008
CAGLIARI-JUVENTUS 0-1 (0-1)
GOAL: Amauri 39.
CAGLIARI: Marchetti; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Fini (Jeda 62), Biondini, Cossu; Parola (Lazzari 78); Matri, Larrivey (Acquafresca 46). Subs not used: Lupatelli, Astori, Matheu, Burrai. All. Allegri.
JUVENTUS: Buffon (Manninger 46); Salihamidzic, Mellberg, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko (Tiago 59), Marchisio (De Ceglie 74), Nedved; Amauri, Iaquinta. Subs not used: Knezevic, Legrottaglie, Rossi, Giovinco. Manager: Ranieri.
REFEREE: Brighi from Cesena.
YELLOW CARDS: Bianco 47, Marchisio 66.