9 November 2008
Juventus.com
It’s a kind of magic!
A week ago it was the Old Lady’s 111th birthday and Juventus celebrated with a 2-0 win over Roma. Today it was the turn of skipper Del Piero to celebrate and so he did with a great free-kick fired into the back of the opponent’s net.
The first part of the game saw both teams alternating in the attack and creating a number of occasions. In the fifth minute it’s birthday boy Del Piero who continues where he left off showing great play. Del Piero opens play on the wing finding Iaquinta who passes back to Sissoko who in turn shoots powerfully with the ball going inches wide.
Five minutes later its Pellissier who sends shivers down the spines of Juventus players and fans spines after a dangerous incursion on the right and a conclusion which ended up inches wide just before Manniger’s eyes.
Chievo are dangerous when attacking from the right but Juventus are far from passive and the match is an exciting one. In the 16th minute Marchionni crosses for Iaquinta who attempts the goal with an overhead kick but the ball goes wide. The referee had already stopped the action for off-side. Three minutes later a Corner for Juventus after Pinzi anticipates Chiellini in an attempt to head the ball but the ball is cleared by the Chievo defence.
There’s no doubt left that Tiago is beginning to leave his mark on the team. In the 22nd minute the Portuguese midfielder gives Iaquinta a delicious cross but the attacker slips at the crucial moment. The match is just like a see-saw and 2 minutes later Chievo are dangerous but Mellberg saves.
Juventus press on the accelerator and in the 30th minute great run by Sissoko from the defence initializes a good counter-attack but after a series of passes Marchionni makes a mistake and the ball is lost.
The goal is however round the corner and if anybody had any doubts its’ captain Del Piero who like the best of magicians pulls a beautiful goal direct from a free-kick out of his top hat. 34 years of age today and what a way to celebrate! With such repeat performances even the best analysts would have problems choosing the best from all the recent goals.
Three minutes later Del Piero, once again from a freekick puts the ball dangerously in the area but the Chievo defence clear for a corner. The first half ends with a foul by Sissoko on Yepes which makes the Chievo players lose their temper.
Ekdal comes on for Sissoko just before the beginning of the second half which begins with a bang. In the 50th minute a free-kick for Chievo has no outcome but three minutes later Mantovani hands the ball in the area and the referee gives the penalty. Iaquinta from the 11 metres. Initial save by Sorrentino but the attacker manages to push the ball in from the re-bound, making it 2-0.
The second half is less entertaining when compared to the first, however both teams still created a number of good actions. In the 64th minute a great run by Molinaro who finds Del Piero but the shot is weak and into the hands of Sorrentino.
Four minutes later De Ceglie is fouled on the left flank. Del Piero takes the freekick with Sorrentino who saves a great projectile. The only significant Chievo attack comes in the 82nd minute with Pellissier who sees the ball go wide after some great play.
Grygera comes on for Tiago and Amauri for Del Piero. The last few minutes are all in favour of Juventus with chances to widen the score for Grygera and Amauri but the score stays the same and Juventus register their sixth consecutive win.
Serie A 2008/09 – First Round
11th Day
Verona, Bentegodi Stadium
Sunday 9th November
CHIEVO VERONA – JUVENTUS 0-2
Scorers : 40’ Del Piero, 53’ Iaquinta.
CHIEVO: Sorrentino; Malago, Mandelli, Yepes, Mantovani, Pinzi, Bentivoglio, Marcolini (77’ D’Anna), Pellisier; Esposito (52’ Luciano), Langella (52’ Iunco). Reserves: Squizzi, Frey, Cesar, D’Anna, Rigoni, Luciano, Iunco. Coach: Di Carlo.
JUVENTUS: Manninger; Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molianro; Marchionni, Sissoko (45’ Ekdal), Tiago (82’ Grygera), De Ceglie; Del Piero (86’ Amauri), Iaquinta. Reserves: Chimenti, Grygera, Giovinco, Ekdal, Camoranesi, Rossi; Amauri Coach : Ranieri.
REFEREE : Banti (Livorno)
Yellow Cards : Molinaro (20th), Esposito (28th), Legrottaglie (30th), Bentivoglio (48th), Mantovani (52nd), Iunco (72nd),