Cagliari – Juventus, the closing late match of the first leg, ends 1-1. The Bianconeri, already Winter Champions, keep the lead of the table but Milan, who won against Udinese, gets closer to 2 points down. At the Sant’Elia, Emerson’s goal is equalized by Zola in the final minutes.
A tight match, with occasions for boths sides after 2 minutes. First it’s Esposito who, from the right wing, drives a cross, which is deflected by Buffon in order to avoid Suazo’s action. On the Bianconeri’s side, Ibrahimovic beautifully serves Trezeguet in return attack. The Frenchman, on his comeback into Serie A, misses the chance to try for a goal. Cagliari tries to do so after 4 and 14 minutes with Lopez and Suazo respectively, Juventus follow suits with Emerson after 15 minutes, while on 17’ minutes Nedved serves Trezeguet into the box but the latter is hindered by two opponents while shooting. Noteworthy are Zola’s free kick after 30 minutes, which is neutralized by Buffon, and a higher pression from the Bianconeri who unfortunately can’t find the target. A fine Nedved’s header, saved by Iezzo, closes the first half.
The second half starts with no substitution for both sides. The Bianconeri start pressing and achieve the deserved goal after 9 minutes thanks to Emerson. Served by Nedved’s cross from the right wing, el Puma nods in (0-1). Weak is Cagliari’s reaction, Zola worries Juventus’s defence a couple of times but Capello’s squad is very alert and does not make any mistake. Two substitutions for both sides after about 30 minutes: Langella and Conti replace Suazo and Abeijon, Appiah and Del Piero substitute Blasi and Trezeguet respectively. Juventus looks for the second goal. After 35 minutes Del Piero tries to score but his shot ends over the goal line. In the final minutes, Buffon gives proof of his skills in a couple of extraordinary saves on Langella’s shots (39’ and 41’ minutes) but he cannot do anything against Zola when he, after 44 minutes, anticipates the defenders and nods in the definitive 1-1 ball.
CAGLIARI - JUVENTUS 1-1
GOALS: 9'sh Emerson, 44'sh Zola
CAGLIARI: Iezzo, Lopez, Maltagliati, Bega, Agostini, Abeijon (28'sh Conti), Brambilla, Gobbi, Esposito, Zola, Suazo (20'sh Langella).
Manager: Arrigoni.
Substitues: Katergiannakis, Pisano, Loria, Delnevo, Bianchi.
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi (29'sh Appiah), Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet (29'sh Del Piero).
Manager: Capello.
Substitues: Chimenti, Pessotto, Montero, Olivera, Zalayeta.
REFEREE: Racalbuto
YELLOW CARDS: 16'ft Abeijon, 26'sh Blasi, 33' sh Gobbi