Serie A: Juventus vs Empoli [October 31 2007] (22 Viewers)

lil zlatan

lil zlatan

Senior Member
#442
Mar 5, 2006
1,083
#442
Player ratings from Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera.

Juventus: Buffon 6,00 - Birindelli 6,00, Grygera 6,17, Criscito 6,17, Molinaro 6,00 - Salihamidzic 5,33 (85' Marchionni), C. Zanetti 6,50, Tiago 6,33, Palladino 6,50 (73' Camoranesi) - Iaquinta 5,00 (59' Del Piero 6,17), Trezeguet 8,00. - : Ranieri 6,33.
 
Dostoevsky

Dostoevsky

Tzu
Administrator
#445
May 27, 2007
89,004
#445
Happy Birthday, Old Lady


Juventus celebrated their 110th birthday a few hours early and in style. They beat Empoli at home at the Olimpico thanks to an excellent second half performance. The hero of the night was David Trezeguet, who scored another hat trick (after the one against Livorno), became current League top scorer and also reached 150 goals for Juventus. Del Piero celebrated too: the captain came on in the second half, reaching 528 games and equalling Furino in second place for all-time record of games played at Juventus. Empoli were unlucky, ending the game down to nine men, due to Balli and Volpato's injuries. Ranieri's men remain four points behind Inter Milan, the team they'll face Sunday at the Olimpico.

Having an important match so close, together with all the suspensions (Chiellini, Legrottaglie, Nocerino and Nedved were all suspended), certainly influenced Ranieri's line up choices. The Manager left Del Piero out, choosing a Trezeguet-Iaquinta forward duo. Tiago played from the kick-off and the defenders were Birindelli, Grygera, Criscito and Molinaro. For the guests, the only former Juve players to start were Piccolo and Marchisio, with Giovinco (cheered by Juve fans) and Volpato on the bench.

The Bianconeri began well, studying their opponents for the first 10 minutes and then going close after 11 minutes. Criscito was sure to score from a corner kick situation, but Balli made a great save. This was the beginning of a favourable phase for Juventus, but a couple of goalmouth pile-ups and a Birindelli free kick didn't convert into goals.

Empoli occasionally tried their luck on the counter-attack, with long balls for their only striker Saudati, but Juventus' defence controlled him easily. On the other side, former Juve player Piccolo, and Marzoratti, had their work cut out controlling Trezeguet and Iaquinta, but they were able to do so for now. The former Udinese striker tried from a free kick, but Balli was positioned well. There were no further chances in the first half.

But chances started coming thick and fast from the start of the second half. Just like at Napoli, the Bianconeri began well and a header by Trezeguet ended just high. The same happened a minute later, when Salihamidzic passed for the Frenchman to head directly into the arms of Balli.

Trezeguet was the difference between the two teams tonight and it was up to him to change the score. Palladino made a great pass toward him; David went past Balli, who brought him down, and Trezegol calmly converted the following penalty. Cagni tried the Giovinco card, on for Marianini. Ranieri replied with Del Piero taking Iaquinta's place. The Captain wrote another page in Juventus' history by equalling Furino's record of games played at the Club, behind legendary Scirea.

Del Piero's entrance proved to be the lucky charm. After 62 minutes Tiago put in a lovely free kick for Trezeguet to head home, thus proving once again to be the Tuscan team's nemesis. Cagni replaced Marianini and Vannucchi with Abate and Volpato. But this was Trezegol's night. After 70 minutes Balli parried on Tiago and the Frenchman was the quickest on the rebound to slot in.

Ranieri then replaced Palladino and Salihamidzic with Camoranesi and Marchionni. Cagni however had no substitutions left and when Balli suffered an injury, Empoli were forced down to 10 men, with Saudati in goal; or rather, to nine men, because Volpato suffered an injury too and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. But the match was virtually over at that point and the Bianconeri had mercy of their struggling opponents. At the close of the match, Buffon saved on Giovinco. It was the last thrill. The next one is put off until Sunday, when Inter Milan will arrive for the most eagerly awaited of matches.

Serie A TIM 2007/08

10th round

Torino, Olimpico stadium

Wednsday 31st of October 2007, 8.30 pm

JUVENTUS-EMPOLI (0-0) 3-0


GOALS: 51' (penalty), 62' e 70' Trezeguet

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli, Grygera, Criscito; Molinaro; Salihamidzic (85' Marchionni), Zanetti, Tiago, Palladino (73' Camoranesi); Iaquinta (Del Piero 69'), Trezeguet
Subs: Belardi, Zebina, Almiron, Olivera
Coach: Ranieri

EMPOLI: Balli; Raggi, Piccolo, Marzoratti; Antonini (63' Abate), Marianini (55' Giovinco), Marchisio, Moro, Tosto; Vannucchi (65' Volpato); Saudati
Subs: Bassi, Ascoli, Rincon, Pozzi
Coach: Cagni

BOOKED: 33' Marianini, 50' Balli

ARBITRO: Celi di Campobasso

ASSISTENTI: Cariolato e Pugiotto

QUARTO UOMO: Dondarini
 
DelpieroForLife

DelpieroForLife

Solipsistic
#448
Dec 26, 2004
10,656
#448
Andy said:
A tale of two halves today. The first half was absolutely pathetic and some of our worst play thus far this season, seemingly not being able to even string a few passes together. But during the second half one player that I called upon to show more for the ball finally started to work the kinks out. Sure enough, Tiago Mendes was receiving more of the ball in an advanced position due to his own work rate and the improved play by our wingers. Ranieri must have set forth an ultimatum at halftime as our movement certainly improved in the second half and we actually made a little more sense with the ball. Thank heavens that Ranieri FINALLY started Tiago as, without him in this match, we might not have won. Same goes for the one striker we have who always seems to be right on the ball in the box.

But in all honesty this match was ugly. As I said earlier, we need to rid ourselves of this worthless straight 4-4-2 because we do not have the right personnel to deploy this formation. Unless somebody steps up in midfield we will be destined to resort to long balls against the better sides simply because it's too static of a formation... plus our wingers are more suited to be deployed closer to the box considering their lack of blistering speed. And as we have seen time and time again the long balls come a'knocking when we have that stupid classic 4-4-2 gap between the midifleders and the forwards. So Ranieri must use another formation to spare ourselves from this nonsense.

The defense, considering the players we fielded, was particulary strong, but Empoli was poor going forward in the first half. The rest of the side was so sloppy, especially in the first half, and if we come out the same way against a better side they will punish us. It all comes down to how we take the field, and with this straight 4-4-2 we always seemingly either take the field in a lackluster fashion or lose control of the match later on in the second half. Enough is ENOUGH. NO MORE STRAIGHT 4-4-2.

Buffon really had nothing to do apart from a couple good Giovinco moves in the second half. 6.5

Birindelli was much more solid than his last outing, but again he doesn't add much going forward. 5.5

Grygera was solid centrally and I don't know whether I like him better on the right or in central defense. 6.5

Criscito was much better this match than in his last outing, but still needs improvement. 6

Molinaro still needs to improve his game as a whole. 5.5

Salihamidzic still has not found his bearings yet at Juventus, although he had a better match than last time around. His crosses have at least improved. 5.5

Tiago - What more do I have to say? It's obvious he deserves a starting role and the people who label him a flop, not Juventus material, etc are entirely wrong. I'm glad Ranieri finally started him and he better fucking start him against Inter. Still needs to imrpove though and show more for the ball, as he's our most talented central midfielder. 7

Zanetti solid as usual. 6

Palladino didn't see much of the ball in the first half and I don't think he was on his game tonight like in some previous performances. 5.5

Iaquinta didn't really add anything to our performance and I've seen better from him. 5

Trezeguet was where he needed to be tonight. Add a little service and you have goals galore. Well-fucking-done. 8

Del Piero added to the third goal, running at defenders like usual. 6

Camoranesi looked strong on the ball, something very good to see. Hopefully he'll be fine to start against Inter.

Marchionni - good to see him back as well.

Ranieri needs to change things up and do away with the fucking 4-4-2. Although I do give him props for FINALLY starting Tiago. 5.5

GIOVINCO - BRING HIM BACK ASAP. 6


Man of the match is either Trezeguet or Tiago. They saved our asses tonight.


Formation INTER better be something like this:

Buffon

Grygera - Legrottaglie - Chiellini - Criscito

Tiago - Zanetti - Nocerino

Camoranesi - Trezeguet - Del Piero
Click to expand...
No Nedved!
 
JuveAdam

JuveAdam

Moggi santo..subito
#451
Sep 12, 2006
1,072
#451
Good win for our boys last night, despite a poor 1st half showing. Great to see Trezeguet in such lethal scoring touch, just in time for Inter! Del Piero getting a rest might prove vital in that game too, same applies to Nocerino. Nice to see Marchionni & Camo both getting a run out, we've missed the pace & direction both can provide.

Finally Tiago gives us a positive reason to talk about him. His 3 assists might prove to be just what he - not to mention the team - needed to spark a good run. However, I would be a little more cautious with the praise, 25 excellent mins (cant count the last 20 as Empoli played with 10 + Saudati in goal yet we never troubled) v Empoli dont make him our saviour just yet. Its the same thing we said about Legro's recent good spell, lets wait & see.
 
Cronios

Cronios

Juventolog
#452
Jun 7, 2004
27,519
#452
We could use Tiago more often, esp against weaker opposition, to help us build upfront and gain some confidence and form, we CANNOT use him against Inter,
there are many chance he could suck there and that would be the end in his Juve "carrier"...
 
Vinman

Vinman

2013 Prediction Cup Champ
#456
Jul 16, 2002
11,482
#456
Andy said:
But I thought Vieri should play more than Tiago, Vinni? :p
Click to expand...
I agree...Bobo is more effective :p

Cronios said:
We could use Tiago more often, esp against weaker opposition, to help us build upfront and gain some confidence and form, we CANNOT use him against Inter,
there are many chance he could suck there and that would be the end in his Juve "career"...
Click to expand...
Tiago had one good half against a feeble opponent...I'm not ready to make him a starter yet, either

Lets hope he improves in a hurry...I just think he's too big a risk to start against Inter
 
rounder

rounder

Blindman
#458
Jun 13, 2007
7,233
#458
I'd like to see Tiago vs Inter . Maybe he seems to be finally finding his form , and what better way to boost his moral than to play him against Inter . The guy has the abilities , he just lacks the confidence . He is afterall our most expensive transfer this season , If he's in good shape , I don't see why he shouldn't play .
 
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