It couldn't have started any better. Juventus had an explosive start. They defeated Livorno 5-1, thanks in particular to a great finale (three goals in the last 10 minutes): a warning for everybody. Trezeguet was again the man for debuts and started with a hat trick. Iaquinta celebrated his own debut with two goals (a penalty and a lucky touch). Before Sunday's matches Ranieri's team are on their own at the top of the League, as Lazio and Torino drew the other match. Next Sunday Juventus will seek confirmation in Cagliari. But first, it's time for the Italian Cup, Wednesday at Parma.
The first "official" Juventus line-up played by Claudio Ranieri saw four defenders in front of Buffon: Salihamidzic and Chiellini on the flanks, Andrade and Criscito in central position; in midfield, Nocerino on the right, Almiron and Zanetti in the middle and Nedved on the left; and tried and tested strike partners Del Piero and Trezeguet up front. The Bianconeri started promisingly. There were immediately a couple of dangerous goalmouth incidents in Livorno's penalty area, but nothing came of them. The team tried to play the way the Manager had asked them to: ball kept on the ground, quick passes to find a free man, in order to open up a team who looked good at the back and who tried to go on the counter-attack whenever they had the chance. The first Livorno shot at goal was by Loviso, from a free kick, but Buffon saved easily. The away team's favourite tactic was a long ball for Rossini to head down towards his team mate Tavano.
Juventus created their first big chance after 26 minutes. Del Piero passed to Nedved who put Trezeguet through, with the Frenchman shooting immediately: Amelia saved with his foot. Just seconds later the keeper saved again on a scorcher from way outside by Chiellini. This was the best period for Juve and the goal finally arrived at the 28th minute: Del Piero earned a corner, took it, did a one-two with Nedved and then crossed precisely for Trezeguet to head in. 'Trezegol' thus began from where he'd left off last season against Spezia. This was his umpteenth goal against Livorno, one of his favourite 'victims' by now.
Ranieri's team were not about to sit back and, after Pasquale was booked, they went close to doubling the score with Zanetti, put through by Almiron, but his shot from the edge of the area went high by a whisker. One minute later, a Del Piero free kick and another save by Amelia, clearly the best Livorno player on the night. Before the break, Loviso was also booked by referee Mr. Gava, for protesting. At the interval the score was still 1-0 for the Bianconeri, a score that didn't really reflect all the chances Ranieri's team had created.
Second half. No substitutions and Juventus now attacking towards their fans in the Curva Scirea north sector. The first shot at goal after 7 minutes, when an Almiron left-footer went over the bar. The Argentinean repeated himself one minute later with a shot from just outside the area, comfortably saved by Amelia this time. After 8 minutes the first substitution: Tristan on for Tavano. Three minutes later, another change: Volpe, who used to play for Juventus (he won the 2006 Championship with Chiarenza's Youth Team), came on for Emanuele Filippini. Criscito and Andrade were now facing two ex-team mates in midfield.
After 15 minutes Ranieri made his first substitution too: Iaquinta,
making his debut at the Comunale, took Del Piero's place. The forward duo changed but Nedved's determination never did: he always fights like a tiger. The captain had come off after playing well for an hour, and also having served the ball for Trezeguet to score. Livorno began attacking with more conviction but Buffon didn't really have to do much. A Galante header after 22 minutes went high. Rossini had a better chance a minute later, but his header was off target too.
The eagerly awaited second goal came after 26 minutes. Iaquinta did everything himself: he earned a penalty (Grandoni committed the foul on him and was booked), scored it and received a yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration. But it was all good. A goal on his debut and the score now 2-0. After that there were more substitutions: Diamanti on for Rossini, Zebina replacing Salihamidzic and, a little later, Tiago for Almiron.
At this stage it looked as if the game was virtually over, it didn't seem to promise any more excitement, but all kind of things were about to happen. First Iaquinta found the third goal, with a lucky touch on a Nedved shot from outside. One minute later, though, the player who was signed this summer from Udinese showed all his class with a great run on the counter attack after which he passed the ball to Trezeguet, the kind of chance the Frenchman just doesn't waste: 4-0. Their personal goal tally competition was still on and ended only in injury time with Trezegol the winner, when he scored following the umpteenth great run by Nocerino, whose performance was one of the best on the night. Before the final whistle, Livorno found a goal with Loviso. It ended 5-1, a result that was a little too harsh on the guests, but which meant the Bianconeri are immediately at the top of the table. And most of all it also sent out a message to everyone: Juventus are
back!
JUVENTUS-LIVORNO 5-1 (1-0)
GOALS: (first half) Trezeguet 29 mins; (second half) 41 mins, 46 mins; Iaquinta 26 mins (pen) and 40 mins, Loviso 48 mins.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Salihamidzic (s.h. Zebina 29 mins), Andrade, Criscito, Chiellini; Nocerino, Zanetti, Almiron (s.h. Tiago 34 mins), Nedved; Del Piero (s.h. Iaquinta 15 mins), Trezeguet.
Subs not used: Belardi, Molinaro, Camoranesi, Palladino.
Manager: Ranieri.
LIVORNO: Amelia; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante, Pasquale; Antonio, Filippini, Loviso, Pulzetti, Emanuele Filippini (s.h. Volpe 11 mins); Rossini (s.h. Diamanti 29 mins), Tavano (s.h. Tristan 8 mins).
Subs not used: De Lucia, Balleri, Pavan, Vidigal.
Manager: Orsi.
REFEREE: Mr. Gava from Conegliano Veneto.
YELLOW CARDS: (first half) Pasquale 32 mins, Zanetti 40 mins, Loviso 45 mins; (second half) Grandoni 25 mins, Iaquinta 26 mins, Nocerino 35 mins.
NOTES: attendance 21.414 (gate receipts € 453.503,25).
Refer :Juventus.com
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