Match Summary:
Cesena 2-2 Juventus
Juventus see their lead at the top cut to six points after this fiery thriller at the Stadio Manuzzi. The Bianconeri switched to a trident attack, mirroring Cesena’s habitual 4-3-3 system, but the home side was more accustomed to it and had a fantastic start. Papa Waigo found space down the right and thanks to Pelle’s dummy got the ball to Salvetti for a simple tap-in. Papa Waigo set up another great chance for Pellè moments later, denied by Legrottaglie, then Buffon had to perform a crucial save on Del Core just inside the box. Pellè also nodded over, but the game was shaken up in the five minutes leading up to half-time.
Nedved was furious when he had penalty appeals rejected for a push from Mezavilla and the tension escalated on the pitch as from the resulting long Chiellini throw-in Trezeguet was able to turn in with his thigh from six yards. Goalkeeper Sarti was at least a couple of yards behind his own line and an argument exploded between him and several Cesena teammates. As the players were still fuming at each other, Juventus snatched a second with Del Piero on the counter and Nedved was left acres of space for a shot to deflect off Ficagna and loop over Sarti. Tempers flared as the Czech was accused of celebrating too close to the Cesena bench and it took several people to calm Coach Fabrizio Castori down.
The half-time break was sorely needed and matters settled after the interruption, with Del Piero again setting up Nedved for an angled drive well parried by Sarti. The home side got back on track as Papa Waigo made it 2-2 by meeting a flicked-on corner kick at the far post. Del Piero led the fightback with a couple of swerving efforts wide, but it could’ve been 3-2 for Cesena when Buffon fingertipped a blistering Sabato strike over the bar and Ola turned a free header from the resulting corner kick off target. Buffon had to rush off his line to close down the pacey Papa Waigo in the final minute.
Scorers: Salvetti 11 (C), Trezeguet 42 (J), Nedved 43 (J), Papa Waigo 55 (C)
Cesena: Sarti; Doudou (Biserni 8), Zaninelli, Ficagna, Sabato; Mezavilla (Ola 68), Anastasi, Salvetti; Papa Waigo, Pellè, Del Core (De Feudis 75)
Juventus: Buffon; Birindelli, Boumsong, Legrottaglie, Chiellini; Marchionni (Balzaretti 76), Marchisio, Nedved (Bianco 87); Zalayeta, Trezeguet, Del Piero (Bojinov 84)
Ref: Stefanini
Channel 4
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