Yeah I was expecting a call from the police to see if everything was alright after Nedved scored. 
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[SERIE A] Lazio - Juventus (19 Viewers)
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It was brutal and a very ugly game to watch. But you have to give a ton of credit to our boys for holding it together and putting together a very dififcult win. We've always come up lame at the Olimpico against Lazio, and it's even more notable given what our front line of attack looked like most of the night. (Who could have predicted at the beginning of the season that we'd field this kind of front line against Lazio in the heat of a Scudetto race?)
Given that this win was no small, nor easy, nor insignificant feat, I will hold off the criticisms a little this time.
But one thing that disturbed me from watching this match: given the criticisms levelled against the motivation and inspiration of our squad in our ignanimous CL exit, I would still have to agree with them after watching tonight's match. Maybe the team is just too tired and worn down. But to score as we did, when we did, in such a critical away match? I expected the team not only be be fired up leading up to the goal, but jubilant after the score.
What did I witness? Kapo watched Neddy's shot go in, and he reacted like he was watching some La Lega game on TV and was off to get some more beer. Even Neddy seemed less than his joyous self after scoring -- particularly when you compare it with his late winning goal against Bologna earlier in the season. Camo and Canna seemed really fired up about it. Tacchi may have deserved his second yellow 15 minutes earlier, but at least the guy was passionate and into the match. The rest of our squad, I'm not so sure.
There's a difference between being workmanlike -- getting the job done and not being detracted about what you need to do -- and simply looking stoic and uninspired. Esteban is ripping his shirt in half and screaming like a maniac, for crying out loud. :thumb: And he's watching the thing on TV. So where's this passion on the pitch?
After today's match, I was wondering if we need something of an emotional spark in our line-up for the remaining games. Tacchi can be an undisciplined hack often, but at least he seems in the game. We need somebody to light a fire under everyone in the next few weeks.
Given that this win was no small, nor easy, nor insignificant feat, I will hold off the criticisms a little this time.
But one thing that disturbed me from watching this match: given the criticisms levelled against the motivation and inspiration of our squad in our ignanimous CL exit, I would still have to agree with them after watching tonight's match. Maybe the team is just too tired and worn down. But to score as we did, when we did, in such a critical away match? I expected the team not only be be fired up leading up to the goal, but jubilant after the score.
What did I witness? Kapo watched Neddy's shot go in, and he reacted like he was watching some La Lega game on TV and was off to get some more beer. Even Neddy seemed less than his joyous self after scoring -- particularly when you compare it with his late winning goal against Bologna earlier in the season. Camo and Canna seemed really fired up about it. Tacchi may have deserved his second yellow 15 minutes earlier, but at least the guy was passionate and into the match. The rest of our squad, I'm not so sure.
There's a difference between being workmanlike -- getting the job done and not being detracted about what you need to do -- and simply looking stoic and uninspired. Esteban is ripping his shirt in half and screaming like a maniac, for crying out loud. :thumb: And he's watching the thing on TV. So where's this passion on the pitch?
After today's match, I was wondering if we need something of an emotional spark in our line-up for the remaining games. Tacchi can be an undisciplined hack often, but at least he seems in the game. We need somebody to light a fire under everyone in the next few weeks.
Capello: We'll never give in Sunday 24 April, 2005
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Fabio Capello and Pavel Nedved have praised the Bianconeri’s determination and spirit as their Scudetto challenge continues apace.
“We showed great character, determination and unity, so that bodes well for the future. We were missing plenty of important players, but the lads proved they can do without them,” said the Coach after Juve’s 1-0 win at Lazio.
This is their first win at the Olimpico for six years and was achieved without Emerson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Trezeguet and for the most part Alessandro Del Piero.
“Ruben Olivera can play as a support striker, so I told him to go deep and help out the midfield. We played very well against a team that kept an incredible tempo in the first half and paid the price for that exertion after the break.”
Once again, Juve stepped up the pressure in the second period and earned a late winner at the end of a determined performance.
“This season we have a tendency to step up a gear in the second half and I really admired the spirit of the side tonight. Some Coaches prefer to use one striker upfront and we showed that if everyone works hard then it is possible to work this way,” added Capello.
Juve and Milan remain locked together at the top of the Serie A table and this battle is set to go down to the wire.
“We will challenge for the Scudetto until the last day of the season and that is now beyond doubt. Our character and spirit is second to none and we won’t give in – ever.”
Goalscorer Pavel Nedved was facing a very familiar foe, as he started his Serie A career at the Olimpico with Lazio.
“Del Piero got injured as well, so we had to stick together and I’m happy Juve proved their character tonight,” said the Czech. “We were shaken by his absence, as we were already patched up as it was, but we reacted and were able to play as a team.”
Nedved’s goal was a splendid individual effort that saw him strike his shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
“When I trapped the ball it was running away from me and I knew there were players on the line, so I tried to lift it to avoid a clearance. We controlled the tempo and just couldn’t create clear-cut chances, but with a few long-range strikes you can try to break down a team that is defending resolutely.”
The 2003 Ballon d’Or winner was also looking ahead to the San Siro showdown against the Rossoneri next month.
“This is a crucial victory and the pressure was on us as we knew Milan had won. Every game can be decisive and it’ll be a fantastic duel on May 8.”
Lazio were livid after Lilian Thuram’s shoulder charge on Emanuele Filippini was not punished with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
“Thuram had no intention of getting the ball and clearly went straight for the man,” slammed Coach Giuseppe Papadopulo.
“Had Filippini kept going then he would’ve been clear on goal with only Buffon to beat. It was a clear penalty, there’s no two ways about it, and at that stage the game could’ve turned out very differently.”
Nonetheless, he was relatively satisfied with the overall performance from the Biancocelesti and admits they crumbled on a physical level.
“We couldn’t maintain the tempo we had in the first half, but we didn’t suffer too much and were only beaten by a great goal from Nedved. There are regrets, as our performance deserved a better result.”
source: channel4.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fabio Capello and Pavel Nedved have praised the Bianconeri’s determination and spirit as their Scudetto challenge continues apace.
“We showed great character, determination and unity, so that bodes well for the future. We were missing plenty of important players, but the lads proved they can do without them,” said the Coach after Juve’s 1-0 win at Lazio.
This is their first win at the Olimpico for six years and was achieved without Emerson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Trezeguet and for the most part Alessandro Del Piero.
“Ruben Olivera can play as a support striker, so I told him to go deep and help out the midfield. We played very well against a team that kept an incredible tempo in the first half and paid the price for that exertion after the break.”
Once again, Juve stepped up the pressure in the second period and earned a late winner at the end of a determined performance.
“This season we have a tendency to step up a gear in the second half and I really admired the spirit of the side tonight. Some Coaches prefer to use one striker upfront and we showed that if everyone works hard then it is possible to work this way,” added Capello.
Juve and Milan remain locked together at the top of the Serie A table and this battle is set to go down to the wire.
“We will challenge for the Scudetto until the last day of the season and that is now beyond doubt. Our character and spirit is second to none and we won’t give in – ever.”
Goalscorer Pavel Nedved was facing a very familiar foe, as he started his Serie A career at the Olimpico with Lazio.
“Del Piero got injured as well, so we had to stick together and I’m happy Juve proved their character tonight,” said the Czech. “We were shaken by his absence, as we were already patched up as it was, but we reacted and were able to play as a team.”
Nedved’s goal was a splendid individual effort that saw him strike his shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
“When I trapped the ball it was running away from me and I knew there were players on the line, so I tried to lift it to avoid a clearance. We controlled the tempo and just couldn’t create clear-cut chances, but with a few long-range strikes you can try to break down a team that is defending resolutely.”
The 2003 Ballon d’Or winner was also looking ahead to the San Siro showdown against the Rossoneri next month.
“This is a crucial victory and the pressure was on us as we knew Milan had won. Every game can be decisive and it’ll be a fantastic duel on May 8.”
Lazio were livid after Lilian Thuram’s shoulder charge on Emanuele Filippini was not punished with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
“Thuram had no intention of getting the ball and clearly went straight for the man,” slammed Coach Giuseppe Papadopulo.
“Had Filippini kept going then he would’ve been clear on goal with only Buffon to beat. It was a clear penalty, there’s no two ways about it, and at that stage the game could’ve turned out very differently.”
Nonetheless, he was relatively satisfied with the overall performance from the Biancocelesti and admits they crumbled on a physical level.
“We couldn’t maintain the tempo we had in the first half, but we didn’t suffer too much and were only beaten by a great goal from Nedved. There are regrets, as our performance deserved a better result.”
source: channel4.com
This game points out how important has became Emerson in the midfield and Zlatan in the attack. Our middfield (mainly Tachi and Blasi) was awful, caothic and lacking the minimum creativity, nedved was poor (except his goal extrordinarie) and Camo was spending more time stoping enemies than constructing game.
Thanks god for us having someone called Lilliam Thuram.
We are still on top of serie A, not for playing good football, but because the team is continiusly showing character and perseverance game after game. Lets hope to mantain both until the very end.....
Thanks god for us having someone called Lilliam Thuram.
We are still on top of serie A, not for playing good football, but because the team is continiusly showing character and perseverance game after game. Lets hope to mantain both until the very end.....
I have praise ONLY for one, Pavel Nedved
This man saved the day, in an otherwise sloppy game where we had difficulty stringing 2 consecutive passes together, or getting anything going offensively (I know, I know....DP got hurt, no Trez or Zlatan.....)
I also give props out to the defense for the clean sheet (what the hell was Buffon thinking ????)
Olivera should NEVER be allowed to take a free kick again , and,. after we drop him at the end of the season, he may have a job waiting for him in the NFL, as a field goal kicker
Now, I will abide by the bet, and SHUT UP !!!!
(btw- if we play like this against Milan, we will get taken apart)
This man saved the day, in an otherwise sloppy game where we had difficulty stringing 2 consecutive passes together, or getting anything going offensively (I know, I know....DP got hurt, no Trez or Zlatan.....)
I also give props out to the defense for the clean sheet (what the hell was Buffon thinking ????)
Olivera should NEVER be allowed to take a free kick again , and,. after we drop him at the end of the season, he may have a job waiting for him in the NFL, as a field goal kicker
Now, I will abide by the bet, and SHUT UP !!!!
(btw- if we play like this against Milan, we will get taken apart)
Serie A Week 33 - 24/4/05 (20.30)
Lazio 0 - 1 Juventus
Nedved 85 (J)
Stadio Olimpico
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Pavel Nedved scored a late goal against his former club Lazio to ensure Juve hold on to the top of the table alongside Milan.
Juventus knew that anything less than a victory at the Olimpico would knock them off the top of the table, as Milan had already beaten Parma 3-0 on Saturday evening. Fabio Capello had to achieve this without Emerson, David Trezeguet, Jonathan Zebina and suspended duo Stephen Appiah and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Lazio were on fine form going into the game and were able to start Fernando Couto and Angelo Peruzzi despite knocks. Surprisingly, ex-Bianconeri star Paolo Di Canio started in place of Fabio Bazzani.
Juve's recent record in the Capital was not good, as they last won in 1999 and hadn't even scored here in four years.
Alessandro Del Piero was left struggling after an early knock to his back from Sebastiano Siviglia and clearly had difficulty in running it off.
The home side had a promising chance on the counter-attack and Fabio Cannavaro crucially prevented Luciano Zauri's low cross reaching Tommaso Rocchi at the back post.
Del Piero went off several times for treatment, but eventually requested a substitution at the 16th minute and made way for creative midfielder Ruben Olivera, leaving just Marcelo Zalayeta upfront.
The Uruguayan almost made an immediate impact with a curling free kick that was well smothered by Peruzzi. Another Zauri cross nearly reached Di Canio in the centre as Juve were struggling to control him on that left flank.
Pavel Nedved's long-range effort was deflected wide and the local fans reserved a less than warm welcome for their former hero.
Juventus finally got a shot on target after 39 minutes, when Gianluca Zambrotta set up Zalayeta on the edge of the box and Peruzzi parried the strike with his legs.
Emanuele Filippini felt he deserved a penalty when he fell under a nudge from Lilian Thuram, but the referee waved play on. There was certainly contact as they went shoulder to shoulder and Thuram may well have just been stronger.
Lazio were also forced into a substitution at half-time, as Peruzzi's ankle did not hold out and he was replaced by Fabrizio Casazza, while Fabio Bazzani replaced Di Canio.
Casazza didn't have the best start, as within a couple of minutes his clearance had struck Olivera and nearly looped back into the empty net.
At the other end, Bazzani's scuffed shot from a corner kick failed to trouble Gianluigi Buffon, while Olivera wasted a free kick by ballooning over the bar when it would've been wiser to cross it into the box.
Olivera's long-range effort was charged down and at the 71st minute Nedved's solo run was also blocked off by defensive bodies as Juve began to increase the pressure.
There was chaos in the Bianconeri area soon after, however, as first Cannavaro and then Buffon risked gifting a goal with poor first touches. The goalkeeper eventually managed to clear the danger by dribbling round Rocchi in his own six-yard box.
It was almost all Juve and moments later a fierce Nedved rocket struck Casazza on the chest without the 'keeper seemingly knowing much about it. The move continued and he flew to grab another long-range effort from the 2003 European Player of the Year.
The other Filippini twin - Antonio - replaced Cesar to give Lazio greater solidity in midfield as they were under serious pressure during these closing stages.
The Biancocelesti were infuriated when Tacchinardi brought down Giuliano Giannichedda only for the referee to award the free kick in Juve's favour, and Massimo Oddo was booked for dissent.
A spectacular Bazzani volley was deflected just past the target and from the resulting corner kick the ex-Sampdoria striker had a header ricochet wide.
Fabio Capello surprisingly chose to replace tired substitute Olivera with Olivier Kapo for the last seven minutes of the game.
The deadlock was eventually broken at the 85th and it was former Lazio star Pavel Nedved. He had to dribble round his marker and lift his shot over the heads of the defenders and Casazza to score a wonderful and determined solo effort.
It certainly wasn't over yet, as Buffon flew to fingertip a curling Oddo free kick round the upright in a match-winning save. Lazio were pouring forward in waves and Fernando Couto scuffed his shot, but surprisingly just one minute of injury time was awarded and Juve emerge with the victory.
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Lazio: Peruzzi (Casazza 46); Oddo, Siviglia, Couto, Zauri; E Filippini, Giannichedda, Dabo, Cesar (A Filippini 76); Di Canio (Bazzani 46), Rocchi
Juventus: Buffon; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Tacchniardi, Blasi, Nedved; Zalayeta, Del Piero (Olivera 16) (Kapo 83)
Lazio 0 - 1 Juventus
Nedved 85 (J)
Stadio Olimpico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pavel Nedved scored a late goal against his former club Lazio to ensure Juve hold on to the top of the table alongside Milan.
Juventus knew that anything less than a victory at the Olimpico would knock them off the top of the table, as Milan had already beaten Parma 3-0 on Saturday evening. Fabio Capello had to achieve this without Emerson, David Trezeguet, Jonathan Zebina and suspended duo Stephen Appiah and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Lazio were on fine form going into the game and were able to start Fernando Couto and Angelo Peruzzi despite knocks. Surprisingly, ex-Bianconeri star Paolo Di Canio started in place of Fabio Bazzani.
Juve's recent record in the Capital was not good, as they last won in 1999 and hadn't even scored here in four years.
Alessandro Del Piero was left struggling after an early knock to his back from Sebastiano Siviglia and clearly had difficulty in running it off.
The home side had a promising chance on the counter-attack and Fabio Cannavaro crucially prevented Luciano Zauri's low cross reaching Tommaso Rocchi at the back post.
Del Piero went off several times for treatment, but eventually requested a substitution at the 16th minute and made way for creative midfielder Ruben Olivera, leaving just Marcelo Zalayeta upfront.
The Uruguayan almost made an immediate impact with a curling free kick that was well smothered by Peruzzi. Another Zauri cross nearly reached Di Canio in the centre as Juve were struggling to control him on that left flank.
Pavel Nedved's long-range effort was deflected wide and the local fans reserved a less than warm welcome for their former hero.
Juventus finally got a shot on target after 39 minutes, when Gianluca Zambrotta set up Zalayeta on the edge of the box and Peruzzi parried the strike with his legs.
Emanuele Filippini felt he deserved a penalty when he fell under a nudge from Lilian Thuram, but the referee waved play on. There was certainly contact as they went shoulder to shoulder and Thuram may well have just been stronger.
Lazio were also forced into a substitution at half-time, as Peruzzi's ankle did not hold out and he was replaced by Fabrizio Casazza, while Fabio Bazzani replaced Di Canio.
Casazza didn't have the best start, as within a couple of minutes his clearance had struck Olivera and nearly looped back into the empty net.
At the other end, Bazzani's scuffed shot from a corner kick failed to trouble Gianluigi Buffon, while Olivera wasted a free kick by ballooning over the bar when it would've been wiser to cross it into the box.
Olivera's long-range effort was charged down and at the 71st minute Nedved's solo run was also blocked off by defensive bodies as Juve began to increase the pressure.
There was chaos in the Bianconeri area soon after, however, as first Cannavaro and then Buffon risked gifting a goal with poor first touches. The goalkeeper eventually managed to clear the danger by dribbling round Rocchi in his own six-yard box.
It was almost all Juve and moments later a fierce Nedved rocket struck Casazza on the chest without the 'keeper seemingly knowing much about it. The move continued and he flew to grab another long-range effort from the 2003 European Player of the Year.
The other Filippini twin - Antonio - replaced Cesar to give Lazio greater solidity in midfield as they were under serious pressure during these closing stages.
The Biancocelesti were infuriated when Tacchinardi brought down Giuliano Giannichedda only for the referee to award the free kick in Juve's favour, and Massimo Oddo was booked for dissent.
A spectacular Bazzani volley was deflected just past the target and from the resulting corner kick the ex-Sampdoria striker had a header ricochet wide.
Fabio Capello surprisingly chose to replace tired substitute Olivera with Olivier Kapo for the last seven minutes of the game.
The deadlock was eventually broken at the 85th and it was former Lazio star Pavel Nedved. He had to dribble round his marker and lift his shot over the heads of the defenders and Casazza to score a wonderful and determined solo effort.
It certainly wasn't over yet, as Buffon flew to fingertip a curling Oddo free kick round the upright in a match-winning save. Lazio were pouring forward in waves and Fernando Couto scuffed his shot, but surprisingly just one minute of injury time was awarded and Juve emerge with the victory.
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Lazio: Peruzzi (Casazza 46); Oddo, Siviglia, Couto, Zauri; E Filippini, Giannichedda, Dabo, Cesar (A Filippini 76); Di Canio (Bazzani 46), Rocchi
Juventus: Buffon; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Tacchniardi, Blasi, Nedved; Zalayeta, Del Piero (Olivera 16) (Kapo 83)
