Iaquinta Happy With Draw
Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta was pleased with the draw against Fiorentina yesterday afternoon despite Adrian Mutu’s late equaliser.
Juventus had led through a first-half goal by Iaquinta and seemed set to claim all three points until a needless handball from Nicola Legrottaglie gifted Fiorentina a penalty with just two minutes remaining.
Mutu stepped up and fired the ball past Gianluigi Buffon to earn the Viola a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Franchi. “This is still a good result,” said Iaquinta.
“It confirms that we're in good shape. We keep giving 100% in every match and we give every team we face a hard time.
“The way I played? I'm pleased with my performance; my aim is still the same, to be ready when I'm called into action.”
Iaquinta started the game after Alessandro Del Piero was dropped from the starting line-up. The Golden Boy was also left out of Roberto Donadoni’s Italy squad to play Georgia and South Africa.
Iaquinta made the pool of players and was named alongside Antonio Di Natale, Cristiano Lucarelli, Fabio Quagliarella and Luca Toni in the forward positions. The Azzurri must beat Georgia on Saturday to keep on track for Euro 2008 qualification.
Collina Defends Referee For Allowing Iaquinta Goal
Serie A referee designator Pierluigi Collina has defended the decision by referee Nicola Rizzoli to allow Vincenzo Iaquinta’s goal against Fiorentina to stand.
Iaquinta put Juventus into the lead at the Stadio Franchi with a precise curling shot from the edge of the area. However David Trezeguet, who was standing in an offside position, seemed to run across the line of Sebastien Frey, thus blocking the goalkeeper’s view.
Rizzoli allowed the goal to stand and Fiorentina midfielder Marco Donadel was furious after the game during his post-match interview. However Collina has hinted that Rizzoli made the right decision.
“The only person who could tell us beyond any doubt is Frey as he knows if Trezeguet disturbed him,” Collina said on RAI’s Domenica Sportiva.
“It’s a very complicated situation as if the referee’s assistant had flagged nobody would have said anything, but Trezeguet’s position is only punishable when he disturbs Frey.
“It’s all about the way the rules are interpreted. The referee has to make a decision and take responsibility so his discretion plays a vital role.”
Fiorentina hit back to earn a point after Adrian Mutu scored a penalty in the 88th minute.
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