The Bianconeri gain three important points at the Delle Alpi against Livorno on Serie A 18th matchday. Double advantage for Capello’s side thanks to Del Piero and Camoranesi, then it’s Vidigal who reduces the gap. Goal by Ibrahimovic in the second half, then it’s Melara who scores and, in the final minutes, the penalty converted by Camoranesi seals the final result of 4-2.
Capello’s team attacks from the very beginning and after 17 minutes Del Piero scores, nodding in a fine free kick from Olivera (1-0). Ibrahimovic, after showing his skills on 12 minutes with a header slightly off target, is served very well into the box by Del Piero after 21 minutes but finally Melara hinders him and prevents him from shooting. After 25 minutes, Juventus doubles the score. Zebina crosses into the midfield, the Swede hits the crossbar, the ball is back into the game and Camoranesi, near the net, is ready to tap in (2-0). Another great action from Juventus after 29 minutes, although Nedved, assisted by Ibrahimovic, is intercepted by Vargas in the box area. After 34 minutes, Camoranesi nearly scores his second goal with a fine header, unfortunately saved by Amelia. In the final minutes, Livorno takes advantage of a moment of distraction for Capello’s side and reduces the opponents’ lead. Goal by Vidigal, who nods in a cross by Doga (2-1). The first half ends with Ibrahimovic’s shot from the distance, over the crossbar.
After the break, Livorno is more determined back onto the pitch and tries to catch up. After 10 minutes, Danilevicius worries Bianconeri’s defence: he forwards, Zebina stops him and the balls ends to Doga who shoots over the goal line. A good occasion for Juventus occurs after 20 minutes into the second half when Ibrahimovic’s drive, after an assist by Emerson, is deflected by Melara over the crossbar. On 30’ minutes, it’s time for 3-1: Zalayeta, who replaced Del Piero, serves Ibrahimovic whose great right-footed kick from the edge of the box beats Amelia. Colomba’s squad doesn’t give up and Melara scores the 3-2 goal, nodding in a corner played by Doga. The last few minutes of the match are quite nervous, with Juventus trying to score with Pessotto, whose powerful shot ends high over the crossbar and Camoranesi who finally scores the 4-2 goal converting a penalty given by the referee after Amelia’s foul on Tacchinardi.
JUVENTUS - LIVORNO 4-2
GOALS: 17'fh Del Piero, 25'fh e 45'sh (pen.) Camoranesi, 42' fh Vidigal, 30'sh Ibrahimovic, 35'sh Melara
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Olivera (18'sh Tacchinardi), Emerson, Nedved; Ibrahimovic (40'sh Pessotto), Del Piero (22'sh Zalayeta).
Manager: Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Montero, Pessotto, Birindelli, Tacchinardi, Kapo, Zalayeta.
LIVORNO: Amelia; Balleri (45'sh Pfertzel), Galante, Vargas, Melara; Vidigal, Passoni, Grauso (31'sh Colombo), Doga; Danilevicius, Vigiani.
Manager: Colomba. Substitutes: Mareggini, Grandoni, Pfertzel, Giallombardo, Osei, Colombo, Ruotolo.
REFEREE: Farina
YELLOW CARDS: 26'fh Nedved, 36'fh Balleri, 24'sh Vidigal, 39'sh Tacchinardi,
44'sh Amelia
SPECTATORS: 21.445
PROCEEDS: 409.021