Posted by Nacha
Posted on 12:46 AM
with No comments
Ranieri wanted to finish the year in the best possible way and the lads satisfied his desires. Siena were beaten with authority (2-0) at the Olimpico and this Christmas will have an even sweeter taste now. The year’s last man of the match was “Brazzo” Salihamidzic, who gave an exceptional performance, scoring the first goal and going close two other times. Trezeguet also scored, as usual, a spectacular goal in cooperation with Tiago.
On a Sunday when Inter Milan overcame the dangers of the derby, Ranieri's men kept up with the pace of the top teams, especially Roma. With this win over the team from Tuscany, the Bianconeri wrapped up the last mini-cycle of the year on a high. Ranieri's men have won four and drawn one since the mid-November break. This was the best possible way to welcome the New Year, which will start on Saturday the 12th of January with an away game at Catania.
Posted by Nacha
Posted on 11:05 PM
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On the first anniversary of Alessio Ferramosca and Riccardo Neri's deaths, Juventus chose the best way to honour the two boys. They defeated Lazio in Rome, winning away from home again at last - just like Ranieri asked on the eve of the match - and took a big leap forward in the League. With Udinese losing at Catania, the Bianconeri are temporarily in second place alongside Roma, five points behind Inter Milan.
Just like at Cagliari, the last “real” away win (not counting the derby), it was Juventus' stars that made the difference. Del Piero scored two great goals, in the same net where he'd scored one of the best goals in his career back in 1994. Trezeguet scored again and now has 12 goals in 16 League games. Buffon showed why he's the best keeper in the world once more with an absolute miracle save on Rocchi when the score was 2-1.
The match played at the Olimpico was an exciting one. Lazio seemed more motivated than depressed after being chucked out of the Champions League and played well, especially up front where Rocchi, Pandev and Mauri were always dangerous. The game was balanced at the start, with both teams missing chances, especially Chiellini and Mauri who couldn't convert from close range. After half an hour Juve went one up with Trezeguet scoring from a Salihamidzic pass. Lazio equalized before the break with Pandev heading in from a Mutarelli pass. At the break the score was 1-1.
In the second half, Juventus came on the pitch without Nedved – who'd suffered an injury to his head – but with Tiago playing very well. However, the two stars of the half were undoubtedly Zanetti and Del Piero. Two perfect passes by the midfielder gave the captain the chance to score two almost identical goals, after 48 and 70 minutes. Between the two goals, Ballotta had saved very well on Trezeguet and Buffon had been truly miraculous on Rocchi. Seconds from the end, Pandev scored the second for Lazio but it didn't change things. Juventus won away from home again in the day dedicated to Ale and Ricky's memory. Another reason to smile.
Posted by Nacha
Posted on 11:33 PM
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In the end it was up to Pavel Nedved to win the match, like in the good old days: a great right footer from just outside the penalty area and three golden points achieved against a good Atalanta side. It wasn't an easy win; Atalanta again showed they're one of the teams most on form at the moment and that they fully deserve their position in the League.It was a nervous match, with the Bianconeri having trouble getting past the opponents' defence. In the first half Ranieri's men tried to use the wings (Molinaro was excellent) and Trezeguet's headers; Coppola's most difficult save was on a Nedved free kick. At the other end, Buffon saved on Floccari.Del Piero and Marchionni came on in the second half. The Captain made his presence felt with a couple of dangerous free kicks. Juve's defence covered well and gave the guest team no chance for a counter-attack - both Legrottaglie and Chiellini were exceptional again today -, but it was hard to find space up front. The decisive moment came after 85 minutes. Nedved got the ball, moved forward a couple of paces and exploded a perfect right foot low shot which ended in the bottom corner. The shot was worth three points, allowing Juventus to maintain third place on their own, recovering two points on Roma and especially three on Fiorentina. Against Lazio and Siena they'll have the chance to finish the year in the best possible way and spend a very happy Christmas
Posted by Nacha
Posted on 9:22 PM
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90'+4 Morganti blows his whistle to end the game as both teams share the spoils in an emotional affair at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. 90'+2 Milan almost snatch a last minute equaliser but Buffon makes a great save on Inzaghi from six yards!! 90' Oh!! The ageless captain Maldini cuts inside and tries his lucky from 20 yards but his shot is over the crossbar. The fourth official indicates that there will be 4 minutes of extra time. 88' Kaka concedes a free kick as he has disappeared completely from the match in the last 15 minutes. Gattuso concedes a corner kick as he has some words for Morganti. Chiellini heads the ball back across the face of goal but Nesta clears the ball out of the danger area. 88' Yellow Card Zebina J. 86' Nocerino finds Palladino who is chopped down by Gattuso but the ensuing free kick comes to nothing. Both teams are running out of time if they plan on taking all three points from this match. 84' Pirlo wins his side a free kick as Milan push players forward. Pirlo's inswinger is cleared away and out of the danger area. The crowd is eerily quiet at the moment as if they expect the worst to happen. 82' Seedorf looks for Inzaghi but Chiellini steps in front of the pass and stops the attack dead in its tracks. Ambrosini runs at the defence and once again Chiellini makes a crunching tackle! 81' Substitution Nedved P. Palladino R. 80' Marchionne does well to find Del Piero in the penalty area who tries to skip past two Milan defenders but he loses his footing and the chance is wasted. 78' Juventus have pinned Milan back but they cannot find the decisive pass to pry open the Rossoneri's defence. This game is up for grabs as we head into the final 10 minutes of the match. 78' Substitution Oddo M. Bonera D. 76' Del Piero cannot handle a pass from fellow substitute Marchionni. Sloppy play from both teams as they take turns giving the ball away. 74' The crowd starts to urge Milan on as both teams fall back into a defensive shell. Not much action in the last little while as neither team want to make the mistake that will lead to the opening goal. 72' Ranieri introduces Del Piero into the game and we shall see if there is indeed a goal in this game. Play is halted as Zebina goes down and clutches his leg. 70' Great save by Buffon as he makes a world class stop on Inzaghi! Kaladze sent Inzaghi clear through on goal and Buffon made a wonderful save! 70' Substitution Iaquinta V. Del Piero A. 70' Substitution Salihamidzic H. Marchionni M. 68' Great skill by Kaka as he beats his marker and sends a shot that is deflected out for a throw in. Iaquinta chases Buffon's long kick and ends up fouling Oddo. The game has slowed down as both teams tighten up. 66' Great ball from Ambrosini to Inzaghi but he doesn't have the legs he used to and the chance goes begging. It's must be only a matter of time before we see either Palladino or Del Piero brought into the match. 64' Ancelotti makes the first move as he makes a double substitution that he hopes will tune the tide of the match. 63' Substitution Serginho Maldini P. 63' Substitution Gilardino A. Inzaghi F. 62' Ambrosini catches his own teammate with an elbow to the head as Gatusso receives some treatment from the medical staff. 60' Kaka gives the ball away cheaply but Pirlo rescues his teammate with his good hustle. Oh!! Trezeguet just misses a pass that was driven low across the face of goal. 58' Ambrosini and Zanetti jaw back and forth as the emotions heat up on the pitch. Chiellini crunches Kaka and is shown a yellow card for his effort. Pirlo stands over the ball from 30 yards out. Great strike by Pirlo and Buffon does well to punch the ball away. 57' Yellow Card Chiellini G. 56' Yellow Card Serginho 56' Legrottaglie takes down Kaka and concedes the free kick. Pirlo's delivery is poor and the set piece is wasted once more. Ouch! Nedved is caught by Serginho and the Czech international wins a free kick in a very dangerous position. Nedved stands over the ball and lets a shot fly that is well saved by Dida. 54' Gilardino slides to try and meet Serginho's cross but Buffon beats him to the ball as his penalty claims are waved away by Morganti. A splendid first 10 minutes of the second half! Both teams are really going for it here! 52' Legrotagglie needs to be careful as he concedes a free kick after fouling Gilardino. Pirlo's free kick is deflected out for a corner kick. Good spell by Milan! 50' Kaka wins side a free kick. Seedorf takes it short as Milan buzz around the penalty area and Buffon makes a world class save on Kaka!!The rebound was put into the net by Gilardino but he was judged to be offside! Milan come close! 48' Nedved finds Molinaro on the left flank and wins his side a corner kick. Nedved's inswinger was just missed by Legrotagglie as Juventus start the second half as the better side. Oh!!! What a save by Dida as he robs Salihamidzic from 20 yards out! His shot was labeled for the far corner but Dida made a magnificent save. The game is halted as Dida receives some treatment on his shoulder. 46' The second half is underway in Milan as both teams look for the opening goal of the game. It will be interesting to see when Ranieri decides to bring on Del Piero tonight. There is no real firepower on Ancelotti's bench except for Inzaghi as Ronaldo is injured. 45' Juventus had the best chance of the game when Trezeguet's shot hit the post but the match remains scoreless as the teams head into halftime break. 43' Seedorf is caught offside as he looks for the opening goal of the game. Serginho sends a long ball down the left flank that finds Gillardino but the attack fizzles out. 41' Pirlo finds Kaka who runs at the defence and wins a corner kick. Seedorf's corner is swung into the area as cries for a penalty echo around the Giuseppe Meazza as Nesta is taken down. 39' Oh!! Trezeguet lays the ball off to Salihamidzic whose cross is taken down by Nedved but his shot from 10 yards out is deflected out for a corner kick. 37' Legrotagglie takes Kaka down and is booked for his troubles. Pirlo takes the free kick short to Seedorf but it comes to nothing. Pirlo dials up a long distance effort that is easily save by Buffon. 35' Pirlo trips over the ball as Juventus come back the other way but Nesta makes a vital interception and the chance goes begging. Gilardino has some choice words for the the linesman as he is caught offside once again. 35' Yellow Card Legrottaglie N. 33' Nedved tries to split Nesta and Oddo and falls to the ground but the referee has none of it and waves the play on. Kaka is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Juventus defence. 31' Good work by Salihamidzic on the right flank as his cross is met by Iaquinta whose weak shot is saved by Dida. 29' Iaquinta tests Dida from 25 yards out but the Brazilian keeper is up to the task. Good news for Juventus fans as Trezeguet makes his way back onto the pitch. Pirlo looks for Gilardino who is caught offside. 27' The momentum has swung over in favour of Milan as they have found their passing rhythm that makes them such a dangerous team. The game is halted as Trezeguet receives some treatment from the medical staff. 25' Iaquinta flicks it on for Trezeguet who is pushed off the ball by Nesta. Seedorf skips past two defenders but his pass for Gilardino is hit with too much pace and rolls out of play. 23' Ambrosini shows his studs to Nocerino and concedes the free kick. Set pieces have been poor for both teams Nedved's delivery comes to nothing. Pirlo threads a slide rule ball to Seedorf whose low cross is blocked by Chiellini. 21' Gillardino fends off Chiellini as the ball runs out for a corner. Buffon scrambles off his line and punches the ball away. A good spell for Milan after a shaky opening 10 minutes. 19' Serginho makes another run on the left flank and finds Ambrosini who is forced backwards and lays the ball off to Kaka who wins a corner kick. Seedorf's delivery is poor and the chance is wasted. 17' Serginho runs in space on the left flank and delivers a cross that is once again snapped up by Buffon. Milan are starting to settle into the match as Oddo sends in a deep ball that is swallowed up by Buffon. 15' The game has slowed down after a frantic start and this will favour Milan who prefer to play a slow, methodical passing game. 13' Gatusso gives the ball away very cheaply and Juventus hit back on the counterattack but Nesta does well to foil the attack. Pirlo finds Seedorf on the left flank but his cross is cleared away. 11' OH!!! Trezeguet rings his shot off the base of the post!!! Milan are on the back foot and hanging on for dear life as the Bianconeri buzz around the penalty area. 9' Serginho looks for Kaka but his pass runs straight into the waiting arms of Gigi Buffon. Gattuso finds Seedorf who skips past two defenders but his cross is caught by Buffon. 7' It will be a herculean battle between Nesta and Trezeguet all night as they grapple for position. The paying public have been treated to end to end action in the early going. Salihamidzic wins his side a corner kick but it comes to nothing as Nedved's deliver is poor. 5' A lively start by both teams as Zebina has some problems clearing the ball away from the danger area. First chance of the game as Molinaro finds Iaquinta who chests down to Trezeguet whose shot is wide of the mark! 3' Nedved looks for Iuquinta but Oddo does a good job to intercept the pass. Kaka beats his marker as he sends in a low cross that Legrottaglie does extremely well to cut out. 1' The match is underway as Milan are still looking for the first victory at the Giuseppe Meazza and will have to do so without Ronaldo who is out injured. Del Piero will start on the bench once again this evening as Ranieri decides to use Iaquinta and Trezeguet upfront. 0 Welcome to Goal.com's live coverage of Serie A football. Tonight's match comes to you from the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza where AC Milan will host Juventus in one of the biggest matches of the season. It's going to be a heavyweight tilt between two of the giants in Italian football.
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