Torino - Juventus 0-1

With a goal by Trezeguet – his 102nd in Serie A, 147th in all competitions for Juventus -, the Bianconeri beat Torino and won the first Turin derby to be played in four years. The masterpiece after 93 minutes threw the fans in the Curva Scirea sector into raptures and earned Juve three precious points, to keep up the pressure on Inter Milan, first placed in the League. All this seven days before the difficult away game against Fiorentina.

Serie A TIM 2007/08
6ª round

Torino, Olimpico stadium
Sunday 30th of September 2007, 8.30 pm

TORINO - JUVENTUS 0-1 (0-0)

GOALS: 90+3' Trezeguet

TORINO: Sereni; Comotto, Natali (69' Rubin), Dellafiore, Lanna; Paolo Zanetti (76' Motta), Corini, Barone, Grella; Recoba; Ventola (87' Bjelanovic)
Subs: Fontana, Malonga, Bottone, Oguro
Coach: Novellino

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Nocerino, Cristiano Zanetti (69' Almiron), Nedved; Palladino (79' Salihamidzic); Trezeguet, Del Piero
Subs: Belardi, Birindelli, Criscito, Tiago, Olivera
Coach: Ranieri

BOOKED: 21' Nedved, 24' Grella, 38' Cristiano Zanetti, 45' Barone, 53' Nocerino, 90+3' Bjelanovic, 90+4' Trezeguet

REFEREE: Rocchi
ASSISTANTS: Nicoletti e Romagnoli
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Girardi

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Juventus - Reggina 4-0

Juventus reach the derby in the best possible way. Ficcadenti's Reggina were trounced after a game where the home team dominated as they pleased. The first half ended with no goals, thanks to Reggina’s ever-excellent keeper Campagnolo, but then Ranieri's team exploded in the second half. Legrottaglie, Salihamidzic, Trezeguet and Palladino all scored. The final result was 4-0, which meant three points more for the table, but most of all two points recovered on Roma, who couldn't win in Florence. And Sunday it's time for Torino, beaten tonight at Parma.

Three days after the draw in Rome and three before the derby, Juventus had a mid-week game to play. The Olimpico welcomed Reggina for a game that needed to be won, to keep up the pace in the League. The matches’ closeness convinced Ranieri to shuffle things around. Iaquinta didn't play due to fatigue. Del Piero, Nedved, Chiellini and newly fit Almiron joined Grygera and Olivera on the bench. On the pitch, in front of Buffon, the defence saw Birindelli play with Legrottaglie, Criscito and Molinaro; Nocerino, Zanetti, Tiago and Salihamidzic in midfield; and up front, Palladino was paired with Trezeguet, who had just been given a bonus by the Club thanks to his 100th goal in Serie A, scored on Sunday.

Juventus knew that it was important to start the match at full steam. Palladino took a free kick, and Legrottaglie's header from just a few feet forced a save from Campagnolo. Barely seconds later, Tiago made a great pass for Palladino, who couldn't reach the ball by inches. The Portuguese player wanted to leave his mark and he gave another good ball to Trezeguet, but the Frenchman was offside.

The Bianconeri kept on attacking but the half ended without a single goal. The reason for this was mostly Campagnolo, who saved on Trezeguet with his heel and then immediately after saved a long range shot by Nocerino. There was a goal after 26 minutes, but when Trezeguet converted from an excellent Nocerino-Tiago combination, he was offside - even though the position was questionable. The Frenchman was in the spotlight again after 37 minutes, when Palladino headed the ball towards him but Campagnolo made a miracle. The same happened after 41 minutes, when the Reggina keeper saved on the Frenchman after a Legrottaglie pass. The first half ended 0-0; the Bianconeri surely deserved more.

In the second half Juventus fully made up for the chances they missed in the first half within minutes of the kick off. Two corner kicks and two goals. On 48 minutes Legrottaglie was quick in front of goal and netted the opener. On the next corner kick, Campagnolo made yet another extraordinary save, and it was up to Salihamidzic to double the score.

Basically, this double whammy floored Ficcadenti's team. Reggina's forwards, almost invisible in the first half, would now have to try and achieve the impossible, but Criscito and his team mates in defence had no problems controlling them. In any case, the home team had no intention to leave the initiative in the guests’ hands. They kept looking for the third goal with Trezeguet, who almost scored. The French striker finally won his personal match with Campagnolo, netting a goal after an individual run, started by a Tiago pass.

At this point, with victory ensured, Ranieri was free to change things around. Salihamidzic and Buffon had slight physical problems and left their places to Olivera and Belardi, both players making their seasonal debut. It was a significant moment particularly for the keeper, as he’s played for Reggina for many years. The Uruguayan player tried a personal run, ending it with a shot from outside of the box, but the ball went high. Belardi saved a Cozza free kick, given due to a Zanetti foul, which earned him the first yellow card of the match. Cascione was also booked a little later. Before Celi signalled the end, Lanzaro was booked too and most importantly Juventus scored the fourth goal, Palladino crowning his excellent performance in the best possible way. It ended 4-0: the best possible way to prepare for Sunday night’s derby.

JUVENTUS-REGGINA 4-0 (0-0)

GOALS: Legrottaglie 48 mins, Salihamidzic 50 mins, Trezeguet 76 mins, Palladino 91 mins.

JUVENTUS: Buffon (Belardi 60 mins); Birindelli, Legrottaglie, Criscito, Molinaro; Nocerino, Zanetti, Tiago, Salihamidzic (Olivera 78 mins); Palladino, Trezeguet.
Subs not used: Grygera, Chiellini, Almiron, Nedved, Del Piero.
Manager: Ranieri.


REGGINA: Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Stadsgaard, Aronica, Modesto; Barreto (Tognozzi 69 mins), Cascione, Hallfredsson; Joelson (Cozza 80 mins); Amoruso, Ceravolo (Montiel 61 mins).
Subs not used: Novakovic, Cherubini, Missiroli, Vigiani.
Manager: Ficcadenti.

REFEREE: Celi from Campobasso.

YELLOW CARDS: Zanetti 85 mins, Cascione 89 mins, Lanzaro 89 mins.

NOTES: attendance 19,050 (€ 384,195.22 take).

Refer : Juventus.com

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Roma - Juventus 2-2

It could've been Francesco Totti's day, as he scored two goals; but in the end the star of the day was Vincenzo Iaquinta. The forward, a summer signing from Udinese, repaid Ranieri's choice to play him from the start with an extraordinary performance: an assist for Trezeguet's opening goal - the Frenchman's 100th goal in Serie A - and a decisive header that set the final score at 2-2. Shame about Del Piero missing a penalty at the start of the second half, and most of all about Andrade having to leave the pitch injured on a stretcher. The Bianconeri are back in contention and ready to face Reggina (Wednesday night) and Torino in next Sunday's derby.
Forty days after the friendly in Cesena, but most importantly one and a half years after their last official match, Roma and Juventus faced each other in the League again. In the most important match of the fourth round, Ranieri's team visited the team of the moment without any fears. The Manager surprised everyone by playing three up front: Iaquinta, Trezeguet and Del Piero. Behind them, three midfielders: Nocerino (who perfectly recovered from Monday night's accident), ex-Roma player Zanetti and Nedved. In defence, Grygera made his seasonal debut alongside first team regulars Andrade, Criscito and Chiellini. Buffon was in goal with Vanstrattan on the bench due to Belardi's injury. Almiron couldn't recover on time and wasn't even on the bench.

Juventus were showed no fear from the start. Captain Del Piero positioned himself in the middle, a few yards behind Trezeguet and Iaquinta. Nocerino started well and had a couple of good runs on the right wing. But the first chance was for the Giallorossi, when Cassetti came in from the right and forced Buffon to deflect for a corner. Juventus replied with Iaquinta, who crossed from the right, Doni did what he could and Cassetti anticipated Del Piero.

17 was not an unlucky number for Juventus as they scored after 17 minutes with the player who wears the number 17. Del Piero passed to Iaquinta, who immediately crossed, and Trezeguet's header was flawless. This was the 100th goal in Serie A for David, and the first seasonal goal scored against Roma by anyone, but most of all it meant Ranieri's team were in front. They could have increased the lead a few minutes later, when Del Piero went close from a free kick. The three up front were moving around a lot and every time they had the ball they created havoc in Roma's defence, for example after 26 minutes when Iaquinta made a run on the left wing and passed to Del Piero, who was stopped by Juan.

Roma were struggling, they lost Cassetti (Cicinho replaced him), but then they found the equalizer thanks to an individual effort by Totti. Roma's captain went past Criscito and beat Buffon with a right footer from inside the penalty area. The hosts were galvanized and after stopping a Del Piero run, they scored again. Mancini put the ball in for Aquilani, Buffon was exceptional but could do nothing against Totti's tap-in. Juventus responded immediately and Doni was outstanding on a Del Piero volley from Iaquinta’s pass. The result didn't change for the rest of the half.

Second half. Ranieri tried the same move as in Cagliari again: Legrottaglie on for Criscito. Roma began better, they had two corner kicks and Mancini didn't get to the ball just a few feet from Buffon. The biggest chance was for Juventus however. Chiellini gave a through ball to Nedved, who was brought down inside the box by Cicinho, but Del Piero's penalty kick went high over the bar. Fortunately for Juventus, one minute later Perrotta didn't add insult to injury; he put the ball high too from in front of goal and the score remained 2-1. But Ranieri was forced to change his defenders around. Andrade suffered an injury and was replaced by Birindelli, with Grygera swapping to a central position.

Buffon was in the spotlight again when he stopped a Totti free kick and saved on Mancini on the rebound. The Bianconeri replied with Del Piero again, who got a corner kick and then he passed a long ball to Iaquinta, who couldn't score because Doni desperately ran out towards him. Giuly then came on for Mancini, just when Juventus were doing all they could to equalize. Roma tried to go on the counter-attack but they were often offside.

Ranieri made his third and final substitution when he put on Palladino in place of Del Piero. Juventus never gave up, they resisted when the Giallorossi went on the counter-attack and they were finally rewarded after 88 minutes. There was one of the usual long Chiellini throw-ins and Iaquinta's header went into the net, the right reward for the man of the match. The final score remained 2-2. Ranieri's team leave Rome with a well-deserved point that gives them a boost for their next games: the Wednesday one against Reggina, and then next Sunday's derby against Torino.

ROMA-JUVENTUS 2-2 (2-1)

GOALS: Trezeguet 17 mins, Totti 30 and 36 mins, Iaquinta 88 mins

ROMA: Doni; Cassetti (Cicinho 28 mins), Juan, Mexes, Tonetto; De Rossi, Aquilani; Taddei (Brighi 84 mins), Perrotta, Mancini (Giuly 62 mins); Totti.
Subs not used: Curci, Ferrari, Pizarro, Vucinic.
Manager: Spalletti.

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Andrade (Birindelli 54 mins), Criscito (Legrottaglie 46 mins), Chiellini; Nocerino, Zanetti, Nedved; Iaquinta, Trezeguet, Del Piero (Palladino 74 mins).
Subs not used: Vanstrattan, Molinaro, Salihamidzic, Tiago.
Manager: Ranieri.

REFEREE: Morganti from Ascoli Piceno.

YELLOW CARDS: Mancini 18 mins, Iaquinta 18 mins, Criscito 23 mins, Cicinho 48 mins, Chiellini 80 mins
NOTES: Del Piero missed a penalty after 49 mins.

Refer : Juventus.com

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Juventus - Udinese 0-1

Juventus went back on the pitch three weeks after the home debut against Livorno and two after the Cagliari victory. The League leaders were sunk by Udinese at the Olimpico, just seven days before the first match against another title favourite, next Sunday's game in Rome against the Giallorossi.

But there was no time to think about the game in the capital. First of all Juventus had Udinese to face and Ranieri played practically the same line-up as the first two victorious matches. In front of Buffon, Birindelli was back on the right after recovering from injury: alongside him in defence, Andrade, Criscito and Chiellini. Camoranesi started for the first time, playing with Zanetti, Almiron and Nedved in midfield. Del Piero and Trezeguet were the strikers. Vincenzo Iaquinta, who arrived from Udinese in the summer, stayed on the bench.

None of the players who used to play for Juventus started for the guests: Chimenti was replaced by Handanovic, while Boudinaski and Paolucci weren't even on the bench. Marino changed his formation slightly from the first two games, but he played the same three up front again: Quagliarella, Asamoah and Di Natale.

The match was balanced at the start and in the first 20 minutes the two teams were equal to each other, creating the same number of chances with several corner kicks each. Keepers Buffon and Handanovic were busy dealing mostly with crosses. Juventus were lively with Trezeguet and Del Piero, who hit the post but the ref had already stopped play. The guests responded with a few Di Natale runs on the left wing and with an Asamoah shot which went high over the bar.

23rd minute: Ranieri's team had two chances within seconds of each other. First a Chiellini left-footer was saved by Handanovic and then Nedved made a long pass towards Del Piero, who was quicker than the keeper but missed. Juventus then also had to deal with a bout of bad luck. Camoranesi hurt humself and had to leave his place to Nocerino after just 30 minutes. Del Piero started to refine his aim and was dangerous from free kicks. First the captain hit the post with a perfect curling free kick, then he forced Handanovic to parry; Chiellini rushed on the rebound and was grounded, but his complaints to the ref only earned him a yellow card. The first half ended after three minutes' injury time with a 0-0 result that Juventus felt they didn't deserve.

Second half. The same 22 players that had ended the first half came back on the pitch, but the score changed immediately, Udinese making the most of their first chance. A nice touch for Dossena was followed by his immediate cross for unmarked Di Natale, who confirmed his magic moment after the two goals in Kiev with the National team. Juventus reacted and Del Piero and Trezeguet remained busy around Handanovic. After 11 minutes Ranieri played all his aces: Trezeguet and Zanetti came off, replaced by Iaquinta and Tiago. The fresh players revitalized the team but it was Nedved who created the best chance, doing everything well, but his shot was high.

Udinese were not just busy defending, they were always ready to go on the counter-attack, like when Asamoah went on a solo run after 62 minutes and hit the post. It would prove to be the last chance for the Ghana-born player, who was replaced by Floro Flores soon after. Del Piero tried from a free kick again but the ball went over the bar. Ranieri's team's midfielders tried to lend a hand up front, especially Nocerino. The young Naples-born player collided with Handanovic and went down inside the penalty area on 75 minutes but Farina signalled for the play to go on. The referee however awarded an indirect free kick to Juventus a few minutes later: the shot hit the wall. Marino then took off Di Natale – who’d almost scored the second goal – and Dossena, replacing them with Pepe and Lukovic. Juventus understood that it just wasn't their day when a Iaquinta header was disallowed and, most of all, when Del Piero hit the woodwork again (the crossbar this time) from another free kick. The final result was 1-0 and Di Natale's goal proved to be the winner. This is Juventus' first seasonal defeat, and comes right before the away fixture at Roma, scheduled to be played in seven days’ time.

JUVENTUS-UDINESE 0-1 (0-0)

GOALS: Di Natale 47 mins.

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli, Andrade, Criscito, Chiellini; Camoranesi (Nocerino 30 mins), Zanetti (Tiago 56 mins), Almiron, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet (Iaquinta 56 mins).
Subs not used: Belardi, Legrottaglie, Molinaro, Palladino.
Manager: Ranieri.

UDINESE: Handanovic; Zapatocny, Zapata, Coda; Mesto, Ilner, D’Agostino, Dossena (Lukovic 86 mins); Quagliarella, Asamoah (Floro Flores 64 mins), Di Natale (Pepe 86 mins).
Subs not used: Chimenti, Ferronetti, Sivok, Emerenko, Floro Flores.
Manager: Marino.

REFEREE: Farina from Novi Ligure.

YELLOW CARDS: Chiellini 35 mins, D’Agostino 82 mins.

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Cagliari - Juventus 2-3

After winning away from home in the Italian Cup (Wednesday at Parma), Juventus had every intention to do so in the League too. The venue was Cagliari's Sant’Elia Stadium, a ground that Claudio Ranieri knows well because he had a successful stint as Manager there between the 1980's and '90's. Ranieri started with practically the same line-up as in last week's League debut, with only Zebina (who, like Zanetti, used to play for Cagliari) replacing Nocerino in defence, and Salihamidzic advancing to midfield. As for Cagliari, who were coming from two wins in three days, the Argentinean player Larrivey made his debut, playing alongside Matri, a summer signing from Rimini, in attack. Foggia, Cagliari's most feared player, was positioned wide on the right wing.

The game was immediately interesting, Conti's free kick from just outside the penalty area going wide by inches. It was also balanced, with both teams feeling each other out. The first possible chance for Juventus originated from a mistake by the home team, who messed up a free kick, allowing Nedved to start a counter-attack, but his run was ended by a foul, and nothing came of it. Larrivey was active and had two chances in one minute - around the 15th - but Buffon didn't need to intervene. Foggia remained the most dangerous player with his runs on the wing. From one of these, Matri headed the cross but the ball went high over the bar. The same situation occurred after 29 minutes and this time the header went very close.

Juventus could have been dangerous after 32 minutes when Zanetti made a long pass for Del Piero, but he didn't manage to get to the ball. Zanetti and Del Grosso then received yellow cards within two minutes of each other. Meanwhile, Ranieri's team started growing. First a Zanetti shot was deflected by the keeper for a corner kick, which originated another goalmouth incident with the home side struggling to clear. Zebina was also booked before the end of the half. It looked like nothing more would happen before the break, instead Juventus had the biggest chance of the match: Del Piero made a run, chipped the ball over keeper Fortin but Lopez recovered and forced him to shoot high. The break came with the score still 0-0 but with Juventus regretting that last missed chance.

The second half. Juventus changed line-up twice in the space of a few minutes. Criscito was replaced by Legrottaglie and just seconds later Salihamidzic suffered an injury: Camoranesi had to come on, making his seasonal debut. The new player was immediately electrifying and the next few minutes were extremely busy. Camoranesi himself had a chance with a header from bang in the middle of the box, the ball rebounded high in the air and the first player on it was Trezeguet, rapacious as always: he anticipated Fortin and slotted it in. Cagliari's reaction was impressive. Buffon was exceptional on Larrivery and a minute later the referee, Mr. Tagliavento, awarded a controversial penalty for a dubious Legrottaglie foul on Matri. Foggia converted despite Buffon's great effort: he got to the ball but was unable to keep it out.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half had offered more incidents than the whole of the first half. Juventus wanted to win but Cagliari were also very determined to fight it out. Cagliari Manager Giampaolo replaced Matri with Acquafresca. The turning point could have come on 70 minutes. Conti slipped into the box, and Chiellini stopped him, putting the ball out for a corner kick, but Mr. Tagliavento awarded another penalty to Cagliari. However, linesman Mr. Cariolato intervened, convincing the ref to change his mind. A minute later, Buffon had to come out with a true miracle to save a Bianco shot from two yards out. The keeper then repeated himself, denying Foggia. Conti was booked (like Nedved earlier on) and Ferri came on for Pisano.

But it was Juventus who struck again just after the 75th minute. Almiron crossed the ball, it seemed that Juventus had missed their chance, but Camoranesi masterfully recovered it and chipped it over Fortin for Del Piero to put into the net. The score changed immediately again, Mr. Tagliavento awarding yet another penalty for the home team; Foggia took it successfully and Zebina was sent off as well. Fortunately for Juventus, barely seconds later Del Grosso, who'd already been booked, committed a foul, got a second yellow card and had to leave the pitch too. The fans at the Sant’Elia were aware that anything could still happen and something indeed did. In the last minute of regular time, Del Piero earned a free kick, which was taken by Camoranesi who put the ball inside the box for Chiellini to head in the goal that made it 3-2. This time Juventus were able to hang on to the lead without too much hassle, earning a precious victory that allows the Bianconeri to stay top of the League for the next two weeks, due to next week's League break for the national team games. After that, they'll be at home against Udinese.



CAGLIARI-JUVENTUS 2-3 (0-0)

RETI: Trezeguet 54 mins, Foggia 56 mins (pen) and 81 mins (pen), Del Piero 77 mins, Chiellini 90 mins.

CAGLIARI: Fortin; Pisano (Ferri 74 mins), Lopez, Bianco, Del Grosso; Foggia, Conti, Parola, Fini (D’Agostino 79 mins); Larrivey, Matri (Acquafresca 65 mins).
Subs not used: Koprivec, Canini, Budel, Biondini.
Manager: Giampaolo.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Andrade, Criscito (Legrottaglie 46 mins), Chiellini; Salihamidzic (Camoranesi 49 mins), Zanetti, Almiron (Nocerino 87 mins), Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet.
Subs nit used: Belardi, Molinaro, Tiago, Palladino.
Manager: Ranieri.

REFEREE: Mr. Tagliavento from Terni.

RED CARDS: Zebina 81 mins and Del Grosso 82 mins, both for double bookings
YELLOW CARDS: Zanetti 33 mins, Del Grosso 36 mins, Zebina 44 mins, Nedved 62 mins, Conti 73 mins, Legrottaglie 78 mins

Refer : Juventus.com

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