Juventus cannot go further than a 0-0 in Messina despite dominating the game, especially the second half. The result tastes bitter but the Bianconeri’s performance is undoubtedly reassuring in view of Tuesday’s big match against Real Madrid
Messina start with the right pace against Juventus, who wear the mourning-band in Omar Sivori’s honour; after 4’ minutes they attack with Donati, whose powerful right-footed shot from the edge of the box passes the post on Buffon’s left side. Juventus reply on 8’ minutes with Del Piero’s free kick from 30 metres, passing over the crossbar. The tit-for-tat goes on: on 16’ minutes, a misunderstanding between Thuram and Zebina favours Parisi’s drive from the long distance, intercepted by Cannavaro. D’Agostino get hold of the ball but his attempt to goal is vain. One minute later Del Piero dribbles two opponents and he’s floored at the edge of the box. The very Del Piero takes it upon himself to play the free kick but the shot ends high over the bar. The Captain is one of the most active: on 21’ minutes he anticipates Rezaei on Zambrotta’s cross but he cannot find the goal and on 25’ minutes he goes for the finish from outside the box, but Storari clears. Ibrahimovic gets on the ball but the Sicilian goalkeeper can save his bad kick. During Juventus’s best moment it’s Messina, though, that get near to scoring: after 29 minutes D’Agostino’s free kick is intercepted by Zampagna who heads it forward but hits the post on Buffon’s left. The match is lively and Del Piero is an absolut protagonist: the Bianconeri’s Captain dribbles two opponents on 39’ minutes and serves Emerson who, however, is anticipated by Rezaei and on 44’ minutes he hooks the ball and goes for a left-footed shot, finally over the crossbar.
This was the last occasion into the first half, which ends 0-0.
The second half starts with Juventus in attack: on 2’ minutes Zebina crosses on the right, Zambrotta hooks well the ball and shoots at goal, slightly wide of target. 4 minutes later it’s Emerson who tries to serve Zebina, who is anticipated by Parisi right in front of the net. On 13’ minutes Ibrahimovic attempts to goal on a free kick but he misses the target. On 16’ minutes Capello substitutes Zebina with the third striker, Zalayeta, making Juventus more aggressive. On 18’ minutes, Ibrahimovic has the best occasion of the match on his foot: the Bianconeri take Messina’s defence by surprise playing quickly a free kick, Zambrotta runs down the left flank to cross for Zlatan who, completely unmarked in the centre of the box, fires onto the goal but incredibly hits the post. Meanwhile, it starts pouring down over the San Filippo Stadium and it becomes hard to play the game. On 36’ minutes, it’s still Ibrahimovic who gets near to scoring with a powerful shot masterly saved by Storari, who beats the ball away. Emerson, in his attempt to goal, commits foul on Zoro and the action is vain. On 45’ minutes, Ibrahimovic runs down the left flank and shoots a tricky low kick which Messina’s defenders manage to clear into the corner. It is the last thrill of the match. Messina’s supporters at the San Filippo can celebrate the draw snatched from the Bianconeri.
MESSINA-JUVENTUS 0-0
JUVENTUS
Buffon, Zebina (16’sh Zalayeta), Thuram, Montero (29’ sh Ferrara), Cannavaro; Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi, Zambrotta; Del Piero, Ibrahimovic.
Substitutes: Chimenti, Pessotto, Birindelli, Tacchinardi Appiah.
Manager: Capello.
MESSINA
Storari; Zoro, Rezaei, Cristante, Parisi; Iliev (26’ sh Rafael), Zanchi, D'Agostino (26’ sh Giampà), Donati; Zampagna, Di Napoli
Substitutes: Eleftheropoulos, Cucciari, , D’Alterio, Yanagisawa, Bernardo
Manager: Mutti
YELLOW CARDS: 35’ pt Emerson, 46’ pt Zoro, 14’ sh Parisi, 36’ sh Giampà, 36’ sh Storari, 38’ sh Ibrahimovic
REFEREE: Farina
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Mitro, Baglioni
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Squillace