Chievo 0 - 1 Juventus
Olivera 87 (J)
Stadio Bentegodi
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Juve stay top with a last-gasp Ruben Olivera goal, but this match is shrouded in controversy after Chievo were disallowed a perfectly good strike.
Juventus needed a victory at the Stadio Bentegodi to maintain Milan's pace at the top of the table and were fresh from their midweek Champions' League win against Real Madrid.
Fabio Capello brought David Trezeguet back from the start after a recent virus, giving Zlatan Ibrahimovic a rest and testing out a new version of the 4-3-3 system. Chievo were without the suspended John Mensah, while Simone Tiribocchi was injured.
The Bianconeri took control from the start as Alessandro Del Piero had a couple of early efforts, including a free kick that was just cleared at the back post by Davide Mandelli.
Trezeguet's acrobatic attempt on a Mauro Camoranesi cross was off target, but Chievo slowly got themselves on level terms and there were no more chances in the first half.
The Flying Donkeys made a change for the second half, introducing centre-forward Federico Cossato for Andrea Zanchetta. The striker has been struggling with injuries for several months now and cannot yet play 90 minutes.
Del Piero's shot was accidentally charged down by teammate Trezeguet, who was also standing in an offside position.
There was controversy five minutes into the second half, as Sergio Pellissier unleashed a rocket of a shot that thumped the underside of the crossbar and bounced back out off the ground before striking the woodwork again on its way into Buffon's arms. Replays confirmed that the ball had crossed over the line, but the linesman waved play on and Chievo were rightly livid.
Ibrahimovic replaced Trezeguet to give Juve more verve and movement upfront as Chievo were beginning to take control. Potenza turned over the bar from close range as a free kick was whipped in.
Potenza was crucial at the other end of the pitch moments later, as Luca Marchegiani was left stranded by a Del Piero header and the Chievo man cleared Ibrahimovic's follow-up practically off the line.
The Bentegodi crowd was further infuriated when Jonathan Zebina challenged Pellissier in the box, but the referee waved away penalty appeals and it seemed to be the correct decision.
Camoranesi sprinted into the box on a fine Del Piero through ball, but Marchegiani stood his ground to beat away the shot at the near post. The veteran goalkeeper also punched out a dangerous Del Piero free kick. Pellissier's low drive whistled wide of the far post.
A section of the Juventus crowd was again upset when Del Piero was substituted for the 18th time in all competitions this season. The captain was also replaced against Real Madrid.
Gianluca Zambrotta was having a great game and his snapshot from distance really tested Marchegiani. On the counter-attack substitute Franceschini found space on the edge of the box and fired straight at Buffon.
It was a very open game now and ten minutes from time Emerson's low drive skimmed the upright. A scuffle broke out between Lilian Thuram and Franceschini, but calm was quickly restored.
Capello proved that he is a master of the substitution, as Del Piero's replacement broke the deadlock with three minutes left on the clock. An Ibrahimovic mis-kick was cleared out by D'Anna, but only into the path of Ruben Olivera for a half-volley.
However, the Uruguayan was sent off less than a minute later for a reaction foul that also saw Alessandro Potenza dismissed. The Chievo player kicked out and Olivera reacted by grabbing him by the throat.
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Chievo: Marchegiani; Potenza, D’Anna, Mandelli, Lanna; Luciano, Sanmarco, Baronio (Brighi 86), Semioli (Franceschini 76); Zanchetta (Cossato 46), Pellissier
Juventus: Buffon; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi; Zalayeta, Trezeguet (Ibrahimovic 59), Del Piero (Olivera 76)
Ref: Paparesta
Sent off: Potenza 88 (J), Olivera 88 (C)
Olivera 87 (J)
Stadio Bentegodi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Juve stay top with a last-gasp Ruben Olivera goal, but this match is shrouded in controversy after Chievo were disallowed a perfectly good strike.
Juventus needed a victory at the Stadio Bentegodi to maintain Milan's pace at the top of the table and were fresh from their midweek Champions' League win against Real Madrid.
Fabio Capello brought David Trezeguet back from the start after a recent virus, giving Zlatan Ibrahimovic a rest and testing out a new version of the 4-3-3 system. Chievo were without the suspended John Mensah, while Simone Tiribocchi was injured.
The Bianconeri took control from the start as Alessandro Del Piero had a couple of early efforts, including a free kick that was just cleared at the back post by Davide Mandelli.
Trezeguet's acrobatic attempt on a Mauro Camoranesi cross was off target, but Chievo slowly got themselves on level terms and there were no more chances in the first half.
The Flying Donkeys made a change for the second half, introducing centre-forward Federico Cossato for Andrea Zanchetta. The striker has been struggling with injuries for several months now and cannot yet play 90 minutes.
Del Piero's shot was accidentally charged down by teammate Trezeguet, who was also standing in an offside position.
There was controversy five minutes into the second half, as Sergio Pellissier unleashed a rocket of a shot that thumped the underside of the crossbar and bounced back out off the ground before striking the woodwork again on its way into Buffon's arms. Replays confirmed that the ball had crossed over the line, but the linesman waved play on and Chievo were rightly livid.
Ibrahimovic replaced Trezeguet to give Juve more verve and movement upfront as Chievo were beginning to take control. Potenza turned over the bar from close range as a free kick was whipped in.
Potenza was crucial at the other end of the pitch moments later, as Luca Marchegiani was left stranded by a Del Piero header and the Chievo man cleared Ibrahimovic's follow-up practically off the line.
The Bentegodi crowd was further infuriated when Jonathan Zebina challenged Pellissier in the box, but the referee waved away penalty appeals and it seemed to be the correct decision.
Camoranesi sprinted into the box on a fine Del Piero through ball, but Marchegiani stood his ground to beat away the shot at the near post. The veteran goalkeeper also punched out a dangerous Del Piero free kick. Pellissier's low drive whistled wide of the far post.
A section of the Juventus crowd was again upset when Del Piero was substituted for the 18th time in all competitions this season. The captain was also replaced against Real Madrid.
Gianluca Zambrotta was having a great game and his snapshot from distance really tested Marchegiani. On the counter-attack substitute Franceschini found space on the edge of the box and fired straight at Buffon.
It was a very open game now and ten minutes from time Emerson's low drive skimmed the upright. A scuffle broke out between Lilian Thuram and Franceschini, but calm was quickly restored.
Capello proved that he is a master of the substitution, as Del Piero's replacement broke the deadlock with three minutes left on the clock. An Ibrahimovic mis-kick was cleared out by D'Anna, but only into the path of Ruben Olivera for a half-volley.
However, the Uruguayan was sent off less than a minute later for a reaction foul that also saw Alessandro Potenza dismissed. The Chievo player kicked out and Olivera reacted by grabbing him by the throat.
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Chievo: Marchegiani; Potenza, D’Anna, Mandelli, Lanna; Luciano, Sanmarco, Baronio (Brighi 86), Semioli (Franceschini 76); Zanchetta (Cossato 46), Pellissier
Juventus: Buffon; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi; Zalayeta, Trezeguet (Ibrahimovic 59), Del Piero (Olivera 76)
Ref: Paparesta
Sent off: Potenza 88 (J), Olivera 88 (C)
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