Great show and repeating emotions in the advance match Fiorentina-Juventus. It ends 3-3. No changes in the ranking, Juventus and A.C.Milan (home draw with Brescia 1-1) keep paired.
Before the game kick off, one minute of silence in memory of the Pontiff. Great competition on the pitch. First emotions after a quarter of an hour. On 14’ corner kick by Del Piero, Cannavaro hits the post with a header, then Cejas clears, but the bianconeri’s defender claims that the ball passed over the goal line. Television footage proved he was right. After a few seconds, counter attack by Fiorentina, Pazzini moves ahead on the left and strikes from outside the box beating Buffon (1-0). Advantage for the purple team, but Juventus don’t surrender and on 22’ finds the equaliser: Camoranesi sends deep, a Fiorentina’s defender touches the ball in the field’s center forward allowing Del Piero a massive left legged strike right behind Cejas (1-1). On 37’ Zoff’s squad gains advantage again: Jorgensen serves Chiellini whose header hits the net (2-1). Before halftime, worth noticing a nice Del Piero’s free kick cleared by Cejas (39’) and Buffon’s save over a kick by Pazzini (46’).
During the break Capello operates two substitutions: out Birindelli and Pessotto, in Montero and Zalayeta. Compared to the early 4-4-2, the bianconeri’s manager changes formation: three defenders, with Thuram, Montero and Cannavaro, four in the midfield with Nedved and Zambrotta alongside, Tacchinardi and Camoranesi in the centre. Attack with Del Piero close to the forward Ibrahimovic and Zalayeta. Juventus back on the field determined to reverse the match result and dominate the second half. It’s clear from the early minutes. On 8’ Ibrahimovic near misses the post with a great right legged shot. It’s the prelude of the goal reached by the Swede on 14’: Cejas’ exit throw over Zalayeta finishes to Ibrahimovic that sends to goal (2-2). Bianconeri put pressure over Fiorentina in a strong search for victory, but the 3-2 for the purple team comes right in the best time for Capello’s squad, it was a Chiellini header on a free kick by Donadel (30’). Juventus pushes ahead with relentless attacks producing the 3-3 thanks to a great goal by Ibrahimovic: splendid action by the Swede racing down the left side, exchanges ball with Zalayeta that returns with a back heel at the border of the area, and hits the net. Great tempo also late in the match, a Nedved’s shot is cleared, then another danger in the purple team’s box, but no more changes in the end.
FIORENTINA-JUVENTUS 3-3
RETI: 14'fh Pazzini, 22'fh Del Piero, 37'fh Chiellini, 14' e 37' sh Ibrahimovic, 30'sh Dainelli
FIORENTINA: Cejas, Maggio, Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Chiellini, Ariatti, Donadel, Maresca, Jorgensen (33'sh Delli Carri), Pazzini (24'sh Miccoli), Fantini. Manager: Zoff. Substitues: Lupatelli, Piangerelli, Delli Carri, Di Livio, Nakata, Riganò, Miccoli.
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Birindelli (1'sh Montero), Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Tacchinardi (35'sh Appiah), Pessotto (1'sh Zalayeta), Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero. Manager: Capello. Substitues: Chimenti, Montero, Appiah, Blasi, Zalayeta, Masiello, De Ceglie.
REFEREE: Collina
YELLOW CARDS: 15'sh Donadel, 29'sh Montero, 34'sh Maresca