{[['
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Juventus are determined to do all in their power to win their tenth Coppa Italia and this is evident both from the starting line-up and the attitude taken as from kick-off. In the first minute in fact, Juventus make their first shot at goal with Giovinco who received a pass from Del Piero, enteringthe area to see the goalkeeper save easily.
Three minutes later Ranieri’s men have a reason to celebrate: Marchionni taps in a first attempt by Del Piero for the match opener: 1-0. On the 7th minute Buffon saves well following a powerful shot by Martinez, showing that notwithstanding the 101 days since his last official appearance the skills which made him the best goalkeeper in the world are still there.
In the 8th minute there are two good chances for Juventus with Amauri first and Sissoko after. The Juventus midfield and attack are playing a magnificent match. Four minutes later Grygera puts the ball into corner after an attempt by Plasmati. Buffon waves the ball away and then Legrottaglie saves on Ledesma.
On the 12th minute Marchionni attempts a second goal after entering the area and dribbling round a defender but the ball goes straight into the hands of the keeper. If anybody still had any doubt about the skills of this player the midfielder has been proving himself over and over again, today included. Two minutes after. Marchionni dishes out a great cross into the area. The defence clears a first time with the second attempt ending in the hands of the keeper.
The 20th minute sees a great exchange of passes between Amauri and Giovinco with the latter shooting wide. Three minutes later great run by Marchionni who passes to the captain who in turn stops the ball but finds a Catania defender ready to clear. On the 25th minute it is Amauri who sees a good shot being saved by the Catania goalkeeper.
Juventus continue to create chances and on the 26th minute Zanetti, who is having a great match, crosses into the area but the Catania defence clears. Three minutes later Sissoko controls a ball leaving it to Amauri but the shot by the Brazilian striker is too weak. One minute later a corner for Juventus sees Legrottaglie heading the ball with Bizzarri saving.
Catania try to react and on the 33rd minute Buffon manages in some way to wave the ball away with Sissoko taking the ball out of the area after a corner for the guests. Three minutes later, however, Giovinco enters the area, passes to Amauri who sees his shot being saved by Bizzarri. Del Piero from the re-bound sees the ball going inches wide. On the 39th minute Del Piero enters the area, dribbling his way in and then shoots with his left foot hitting the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
On the 42nd minute Amauri tries a shot at goal after good midfield work by Del Piero but Bizzarri saves with some difficulty. One minute later Giovinco runs on the left, crossing into the area but the cross is long and the Catania defence clears. The referee sends the teams to dressing rooms after two minutes of stoppage time.
If in the first half the only fault of Juventus was that of wasting too many goal opportunities the story changed quite a bit in the second half. Ranieri’s men in fact put Bizzarri’s area under siege right from the start.
In the second minute Zanetti launches Marchionni who is halted by the flag in what is a dubious off-side position. One minute later Giovinco puts a dangerous ball into the area for Del Piero who is forced to pass back with Sissoko shooting wide. On the 4th minute
Amauri attempts a shot at goal but the result is weak and the goalkeeper has no difficulty in saving and one minute later the Brazilian stops a great ball in the area passing to Del Piero who shoots slightly wide.
The assault on the Catania goal continues and on the 6th Marchionni sees the ball go slightly high over the bar after a good attempt at goal. Two minutes later Juventus are denied a penalty after a foul on Sissoko in the Catania area. In the 12th minute Zanetti passes to Marchionni who puts a great ball into the area, Amauri heads the ball with the goal inches wide.
One minute later Giovinco takes an attempt at a great goal but the ball goes wide. Ledesma is shown a yellow card after committing a foul on Giovinco. The free-kick istaken by the Atomic Ant with the Catania defence clearing. On the 17th minute Giovinco passes to Marchionni who enters the area dangerously with the Catania goalkeeper making him miss the opportunity to make his toll 2.
Giovinco is playing well and will soon be awarded for this. On the 22nd minute Giovinco excahnges the ball with Del Piero who returns the favour with the Atomic Ant beating Bizzarri to make the score 2-0!
Catania are clearly disheartened and one minute after the second goal Del Piero heads the ball seeing the sphere hit the bar after a great cross by Amauri. There is no time to breathe for Zenga’s team however because a mere 60 seconds later Del Piero makes it 3-0 with a great touch of class after receiving the ball in the area from Marchionni.
On the 26th minute Esposito comes on for Giovinco who leaves the field amidst the deserved applauses of the public. Three minutes later Sissoko sees the ball go inches wide after a powerful shot at goal. The Mali midfielder leaves the field one minute later being replaced by Poulsen.
In the 34th minute Amauri sees the ball being saved by Bizzarri and three minutes later Juventus are awarded a free-kick after a foul on Esposito. Del Piero tries his luck but the ball is cleared by the defence. On the 39th minute Esposito shoots high over the bar after some good movement. Four minutes later the last attempt on goal by the bianconeri comes from Poulsen who attempts a shot from outside the area but sees the ball go wide.
The 3-0 victory of Juventus confirms the great moment of form of Ranieri’s men who will now meet Napoli in the quarter-final to be played on the 4th of February.
TIM Cup 2008/09 - Last 16
Turin, Olympic Stadium
Wednesday 14th January 2009
JUVENTUS – CATANIA 3-0
Scorers : Marchionni (4th), Giovinco (69th), Del Piero (71st)
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie (Mellberg 82nd), Ariaudo,De Ceglie; Marchionni, Sissoko (Poulsen 75th), Zanetti, Giovinco; Amauri, Del Piero. Reserves: Manninger, Mellberg, Molinaro, Ekdal, Poulsen, Esposito, Yago. Coach: Ranieri.
CATANIA: Bizzarri; Silvestre, Sardo, Sabato (Dica 75th), Silvestri; Biagianti, Ledesma, Tedesco (Izco 75th), Llama; Dica; Plasmati (Paolucci 65th), Martinez. Reserves: Acerbis, Terlizzi, Sabato, Izco, Carboni, Mascara, Paolucci. Coach: Zenga.
REFEREE: Banti from Livorno.
Yellow cards: Sardo (52nd), Ledesma (60th), Zanetti (72nd)
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