']]}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