']]}Juventus celebrated their 110th birthday a few hours early and in style. They beat Empoli at home at the Olimpico thanks to an excellent second half performance. The hero of the night was David Trezeguet, who scored another hat trick (after the one against Livorno), became current League top scorer and also reached 150 goals for Juventus. Del Piero celebrated too: the captain came on in the second half, reaching 528 games and equalling Furino in second place for all-time record of games played at Juventus. Empoli were unlucky, ending the game down to nine men, due to Balli and Volpato's injuries. Ranieri's men remain four points behind Inter Milan, the team they'll face Sunday at the Olimpico.
Having an important match so close, together with all the suspensions (Chiellini, Legrottaglie, Nocerino and Nedved were all suspended), certainly influenced Ranieri's line up choices. The Manager left Del Piero out, choosing a Trezeguet-Iaquinta forward duo. Tiago played from the kick-off and the defenders were Birindelli, Grygera, Criscito and Molinaro. For the guests, the only former Juve players to start were Piccolo and Marchisio, with Giovinco (cheered by Juve fans) and Volpato on the bench.
The Bianconeri began well, studying their opponents for the first 10 minutes and then going close after 11 minutes. Criscito was sure to score from a corner kick situation, but Balli made a great save. This was the beginning of a favourable phase for Juventus, but a couple of goalmouth pile-ups and a Birindelli free kick didn't convert into goals.
Empoli occasionally tried their luck on the counter-attack, with long balls for their only striker Saudati, but Juventus' defence controlled him easily. On the other side, former Juve player Piccolo, and Marzoratti, had their work cut out controlling Trezeguet and Iaquinta, but they were able to do so for now. The former Udinese striker tried from a free kick, but Balli was positioned well. There were no further chances in the first half.
But chances started coming thick and fast from the start of the second half. Just like at Napoli, the Bianconeri began well and a header by Trezeguet ended just high. The same happened a minute later, when Salihamidzic passed for the Frenchman to head directly into the arms of Balli.
Trezeguet was the difference between the two teams tonight and it was up to him to change the score. Palladino made a great pass toward him; David went past Balli, who brought him down, and Trezegol calmly converted the following penalty. Cagni tried the Giovinco card, on for Marianini. Ranieri replied with Del Piero taking Iaquinta's place. The Captain wrote another page in Juventus' history by equalling Furino's record of games played at the Club, behind legendary Scirea.
Del Piero's entrance proved to be the lucky charm. After 62 minutes Tiago put in a lovely free kick for Trezeguet to head home, thus proving once again to be the Tuscan team's nemesis. Cagni replaced Marianini and Vannucchi with Abate and Volpato. But this was Trezegol's night. After 70 minutes Balli parried on Tiago and the Frenchman was the quickest on the rebound to slot in.
Ranieri then replaced Palladino and Salihamidzic with Camoranesi and Marchionni. Cagni however had no substitutions left and when Balli suffered an injury, Empoli were forced down to 10 men, with Saudati in goal; or rather, to nine men, because Volpato suffered an injury too and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. But the match was virtually over at that point and the Bianconeri had mercy of their struggling opponents. At the close of the match, Buffon saved on Giovinco. It was the last thrill. The next one is put off until Sunday, when Inter Milan will arrive for the most eagerly awaited of matches.
Serie A TIM 2007/08
10th round
Torino, Olimpico stadium
Wednsday 31st of October 2007, 8.30 pm
JUVENTUS-EMPOLI (0-0) 3-0
GOALS: 51' (penalty), 62' e 70' Trezeguet
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli, Grygera, Criscito; Molinaro; Salihamidzic (85' Marchionni), Zanetti, Tiago, Palladino (73' Camoranesi); Iaquinta (Del Piero 69'), Trezeguet
Subs: Belardi, Zebina, Almiron, Olivera
Coach: Ranieri
EMPOLI: Balli; Raggi, Piccolo, Marzoratti; Antonini (63' Abate), Marianini (55' Giovinco), Marchisio, Moro, Tosto; Vannucchi (65' Volpato); Saudati
Subs: Bassi, Ascoli, Rincon, Pozzi
Coach: Cagni
BOOKED: 33' Marianini, 50' Balli
ARBITRO: Celi di Campobasso
ASSISTENTI: Cariolato e Pugiotto
QUARTO UOMO: Dondarini
Refer : Juventus.com