Juventus Soccer Team in Italy

Catania - Juventus 1-2

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:23:08 PST

# 90 +3Morganti blows his whistle to end the match as a valiant ten-man Juventus side sneak out a 2-1 victory thanks to an injury time strike by substitute Poulsen.
# Goal 90 +1GoalChristian Poulsen
90 +1GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!! Can you believe it ladies and gentlemen?! Juventus win another corner and Nedved's delivery is completely missed by Terlizzi and Poulsen is jogging on the spot and smashes the ball home!!! Unbelievable!!!! Juve take the lead at the death!
89 Amauri wins his side yet another corner and Nedved's ensuing delivery is punched away by Bizarri.
87 Amauri has been playing like a man possessed in the last few minutes and he wins his side a corner but the ensuing delivery is poor and Terlizzi clears the danger.
85 OH!!! Amauri runs at the Catania defence and lets a shot fly that Bizarri tips over the bar!! Great solo effort by the big man!
84 Terlizzi floats a cross into the penalty area and their is a mini-scramble before Molinaro clears the danger.
83 Juventus have nine men behind the ball at the moment as they try to repel the constant wave of Catania attacks.
# Substitution 83 SubstitutionTiagoChristian Poulsen
81 Tedesco sends a cross into the penalty area that Morimoto meets but his first touch is too heavy and runs out of play.
79 OH!!! Stovini sends in a delicious cross that hits Mellberg and rolls inches wide of the post!
# Substitution 79 SubstitutionAlessandro PotenzaChristian Terlizzi
77 OH!! Morimoto meets Mascara's cross and redirects it on goal but Buffon makes a great save!! It would have been all for naught though as the linesman had his flag raised for offside.
75 OH!! Marchionni tries his luck from outside of the penalty area but his shot sails over the bar!
73 OH!!!! Mascara takes the ball down and tries to flick it over Marchionni who blocks it with his hand but Morganti waves away the penalty protests!! Mascara cannot believe it!!
71 Mascara takes the ball down on his chest and is taken down by Sissoko but Morganti is having none of it and waves for play to continue.
69 Del Piero is warming up on the touchline and could be introduced in the next couple of minutes.
# Substitution 69 SubstitutionMariano Julio IzcoEzequiel Carboni
67 Juventus are enjoying their best spell of the second half but Sissoko sends his cross over the crossbar and out of play.
65 OH!!! Tiago bursts forward and unleashes a drive that whizzes past the post!! That was close!
63 Sissoko takes on three defenders and Tedesco is forced to take him down and is shown a yellow card. Nedved stands over the ball and unleashes a drive that hits the Catania wall.
62 Mascara finds Morimoto inside of the penalty area and he tries to square the ball to Izco but Legrottaglie makes a vital clearance.
# Yellow Card 61 Yellow CardGiacomo Tedesco
60 OUCH!!! Sissoko catches Izco late and picks up a yellow card for that rash challenge.
58 Nedved runs at the Catania defence and unleashes a shot that sails over the crossbar.
# Yellow Card 58 Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
56 Amauri goes on a great run and cuts the ball back hoping to find a team-mate but Silvestre clears the danger.
54 OH!!! Catania win a corner and Baiocco redirects Mascara's delivery off the crossbar!!
52 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!! Buffon parries away Mascara's header but straight to Morimoto who has the easiest of finishes!!!! The match is on level terms in Sicily!
# Goal 51 GoalTakayuki Morimoto
50 Potenza receives the ball on the right hand side and sends in a cross that Mascara meets but it's all for naught as he is whistled for an infraction.
# Substitution 49 SubstitutionMauro German CamoranesiMarco Marchionni
48 Baiocco gets to the byline and wins an early corner. Baiocco's delivery is to the edge of the area to Mascara who blazes his shot over the crossbar.
46 Morganti gets the second half underway with ten-man Juventus holding a slim one goal lead.
# Yellow Card 11 Yellow CardLorenzo Stovini
45 +1Morganti blows his whistle to end the first half festivities as ten-man Juventus take a slim 1-0 lead into the interval thanks to a goal from Iaquinta who was sent off less than two minutes later.
44 Potenza takes his eye off the ball and it runs out of play much to the dismay of the Catania faithful.
42 OH!! Morimoto receives the ball in the six yard box, turns his marker but sends his shot into the side netting!
# Yellow Card 41 Yellow CardMatías Silvestre
40 Amauri does well to hold the ball up and is then chopped down by Silvestre who is shown a yellow card. Nedved stands over the ball and unleashes a drive that Amauri redirects over the bar!!
39 Morimoto takes the ball down on the edge of the penalty area, spins and lets a weak shot go that fails to trouble Buffon.
37 Juventus win a free kick inside Catania territory and Camoranesi's delivery is cleared away by Silvestre.
35 Martinez does well to win his side a corner. Mascara's delivery is easily cleared by Mellberg and Tedesco's long range effort is high and wide of the target.
33 Zenga is forced to make the first substitution of the match as Martinez trots on for the injured Capuano.
# Substitution 32 SubstitutionCiro CapuanoJorge Andrés Martínez
31 Potenza receives the ball on the left flank but his cross is too close to Buffon who makes a comfortable catch.
# Injury 31 InjuryCiro Capuano
# Yellow Card 29 Yellow CardNicola Legrottaglie
29 Baiocco's curling delivery is headed out by Grygera as Juventus cling on to their one goal lead.
28 OH!! Baiocco's long, looping ball finds Tedesco and he is brought down on the edge of the area by Legrottaglie who is shown a yellow card.
26 Mascara skips past two Juventus defenders but his wayward pass intended for Morimoto is easily intercepted and the move breaks down.
24 Morimoto is caught offside and he tries to sneak behind the Juventus back line.
22 Baiocco finds Izco on the edge of the penalty area but his first touch lets him down and the chance is wasted.
20 Juventus take the air out of the match by playing some possession football much to the chagrin of the Catania faithful.
18 OH!!!! Mascara's free kick delivery is met by Potenza who sends in a well placed header that Buffon swats away!! A fantastic save by the Juventus keeper!
16 Catania win a free kick in a dangerous area but Mascara's delivery is headed out by Legrottaglie.
14 Iaquinta has gone from hero to goat in less than two minutes and now Catania push forward through Izco looking for the equaliser.
# Yellow Card 14 Yellow CardCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
# Yellow/Red 12 Yellow/RedVincenzo Iaquinta
12 UNBELIEVABLE!!! Iaquinta picked up a yellow card for removing his shirt after scoring and now he is given his marching orders for taking Potenza down from behind!! Juventus are down to ten men!
10 Stovini is shown the first yellow card of the match as he takes down Iaquinta from behind. GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Camoranesi stands over the ball and whips his delivery into the area that Iaquinta meets and powers a bullet header past Bizarri! Juve take an early lead!
# Yellow Card 10 Yellow CardVincenzo Iaquinta
# Goal 9 GoalVincenzo Iaquinta
8 OH!!! Morimoto beats the offside trap and is off to the races but Buffon saves the day with a great close range save to keep the match scoreless!!
7 It is an extremely blustery day in north-west Sicily today and the wind has given the players some problems in the early going.
5 OH!!!!! Baiocco wins his side a free kick and Mascara's delivery falls to Stovini who pokes his shot wide of the net! Catania fire an early warning shot.
3 Sissoko sends a ferocious cross into the penalty area that Iaquinta meets but his header fails to beat Bizarri who makes a comfortable save in the end.
1 Emidio Morganti gets the match underway with Zenga starting Mascara and Morimoto upfront while Ranieri counters with Iaquinta and Amauri.
Goal.com

Juventus-Cagliari 2-3

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:23:53 PST

90°+4Banti blows his whistle to end a highly entertaining match as Cagliari pick up a historic 3-2 victory over Juventus! This is why they play the matches ladies and gentleman.
90°+3Molinaro hoofs the ball up the field but Canini clears the danger quite easily.
90°+1Nedved concedes the free kick all the while time is running out for the Bianconeri.
89°Nedved dials up a long distance effort that rolls wide of the target.
87°Cagliari win a free kick but Lazzari is in no hurry to take it much to the chagrin of the Bianconeri faithful.
85°Allegri makes his last substitution of the match bringing on Parola for Fini who had a wonderful match tonight.
Substitution 85°SubstitutionMichele FiniAndrea Parola
83°Sissoko dials up a long distance effort that rolls wide of the mark.
81°Cagliari push forward through Jeda looking for the goal to put this match to bed.
79°GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! The Olimpico is stunned as Lazzari beats the offside trap and cuts the ball back to Matri who powers the ball past Buffon!!!! Unbelievable!!
Goal 78°GoalAlessandro Matri
Yellow Card 77°Yellow CardDaniele Conti
77°Conti is shown a yellow card as he hacks down Del Piero in the centre circle.
75°Agostini picks up a yellow card as he hacks down Del Piero on the edge of the penalty area. The Bianconeri faithful hold their breath as Del Piero stands over the ball... OH!!!! Del Piero's curls his shot past the wall and almost finds the top corner!!
73°OH!!! Jeda is off and running with three teammates waiting in the penalty area but he cuts the ball back behind Biondini and a golden opportunity is wasted!
Yellow Card 73°Yellow CardAlessandro Agostini
72°OH!!!! Lazzari unleashes a shot that deflects off Legrottaglie and almost into the back of the net!
Substitution 71°SubstitutionGiorgio ChielliniZdenek Grygera
Injury 71°InjuryGiorgio Chiellini
70°OH!!! Legrottaglie heads the ball down to Nedved who controls the ball and unleashes a shot that almost finds the bottom corner!
Substitution 69°SubstitutionAndrea CossuAndrea Lazzari
Substitution 69°SubstitutionMarco MarchionniVincenzo Iaquinta
68°Good approach play by Cagliari as Biondini sends in a cross that Sissoko heads out and Juventus hit out on the counterattack through Amauri who finds Del Piero but his shot is blocked by Pisano.
66°Matri sneaks behind the Juventus defence but Molinaro chases him down and stops him dead in his tracks.
64°The match has slowed down considerably after a frantic start to the second half.
62°Marchionni finds Nedved on the edge of the area but his first touch is poor and the chance is wasted.
Substitution 60°SubstitutionRobert AcquafrescaAlessandro Matri
60°Allegri makes the first change of the match as Matri trots onto the pitch for the disappointing Acquafresca.
58°Juventus look shell-shocked at the moment and need to regroup if they plan to take all three points out of this match. Del Piero is booked for an intentional hand ball.
Yellow Card 58°Yellow CardAlessandro Del Piero
56°Acquafresca slips past the Juventus backline but the linesman's flag is up for offside.
54°GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Cagliari hit Juventus on the counter as Jeda slips behind the Juventus defence and plays the ball to Jeda who fires a shot past Buffon!!!!
Goal 53°GoalJedaias Capucho Neves
52°OH!!! Cossu sends in a dangerous low ball that slips past three players and into the grateful arms of Buffon!
50°Biondini does well to win his side a corner but Cossu's delivery is poor and fails to beat the first defender. OH!!! Marchionni takes a flop in the penalty area but Banti waves away his penalty protests!
48°Cossu tries to beat his man but his first touch is too heavy and the ball runs out of play.
46°Banti gets the second half underway with Juventus holding a slim, 2-1 lead thanks to goals by Sissoko and Nedved.
45°Banti blows his whistle to end an entertaining first half with Juventus taking a 2-1 lead into the halftime interval after falling behind in the early going. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling second half.
43°Nedved is playing like a man possessed at the moment as he sneaks in behind the Cagliari defence but the linesman has his flag up for offside.
41°It's all Juventus at the moment as Nedved pushes forward and unleashes a drive that whizzes past the post!!
39°GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Conti fails to clear the ball away and Nedved pounces on the loose ball and smashes a shot past Marchetti to give Juventus the lead!!!!
Goal 38°GoalPavel Nedved
37°OH!!! Cossu sends in a tantalising cross that Fini takes on the volley but his shot rolls wide of the post!
35°Chiellini plays a long ball forward looking for Amauri but Marchetti scampers off his line and beats him to the ball.
33°Sloppy play by both teams as they take turns giving the ball away in the midfield.
31°GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!! Juventus win a corner and Del Piero's delivery is met by Sissoko who sends in a powerful header past Marchetti and into the bottom corner!
Goal 31°GoalMohamed lamine Sissoko
Yellow Card 30°Yellow CardFrancesco Pisano
29°Fini gets behind Molinaro and sends in a low cross that Legrottaglie cuts out. Pisano is shown a yellow card as he hacks Del Piero down after losing the ball.
27°Fini finds Jeda on the overlap but his cross is poor and runs out of play with Acquafresca lurking inside of the penalty area.
25°Cagliari win a free kick deep in Juventus territory. Fini stands over the ball and his curling delivery is headed out by Legrottaglie.
23°Ranieri is forced to make his first change of the match as Marchisio comes on for the injured Zanetti.
Yellow Card 23°Yellow CardGiorgio Chiellini
Substitution 22°SubstitutionCristiano ZanettiClaudio Marchisio
21°OH!!!! Jeda dances past two defenders and cuts the ball back to Cossu who slips and can't get a shot off! It's all Cagliari at the moment!
Injury 20°InjuryCristiano Zanetti
19°Uh Oh!! Bad news for Juventus fans as Zanetti is down injured and is motioning to the bench that he needs to be taken out.
17°GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Cagliari open the scoring as Fini sends a cross into the penalty area that Biondini meets and powers his header off the post and into the net!!!!
Goal 16°GoalDavide Biondini
15°OH!!!!! Sissoko beats the offside trap but pokes his shot wide of the target! That was a real chance!!
13°OH!!!!! Marchetti takes the ball down and sends in a delightful cross that Legrottaglie hits first time but Marchetti makes a wonderful save!!!!
11°Amauri takes the ball down on the edge of the penalty area but he is surrounded by four Cagliari defenders and Biondini clears the danger.
9°Fini plays a long, looping ball looking for Acquafresca but Legrottaglie beats him to the ball and clears the danger.
7°Cossu finds Pisano on the right hand side and he sends a cross into the penalty area that is just out of Biondini's reach. Nedved dials up a long distance effort that fails to hit the target.
5°Del Piero runs at the Cagliari defence but shows too much of the ball and the attack fizzles out.
3°It's not quite a sold out affair tonight but the crowd are in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere. Del Piero beats his marker and finds Nedved and he sends a cross into the penalty that Conti heads away.
1°Luca Banti gets the match underway with Ranieri starting Amauri and Del Piero upfront while Allegri counters with Jeda and Acquafresca.

Udinese - Juventus 2-1

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:29:52 PST

90°+4All over here at the Stadio Friuli - Udinese have won 2-1 thanks to goals from Quagliarella and Di Natale. Juventus fall six points behind leaders Inter, and their Scudetto hopes now hang in the balance. Thanks for joining us - see you again soon!
90°+2Pepe slams a free kick into the wall for Udinese
90°Four minutes of injury time signalled by the fourth official
89°Great chance for Asamoah to kill the game, but he overuns the ball, and Buffon clears the danger.
88°Udinese putting the balls into the channels and looking to run down the clock, and its working at the moment
86°Juventus have not created a single opportunity since they scored to halve the deficit. It looks as if Udinese will hold on.
Substitution 85°SubstitutionFabio QuagliarellaAntonio Floro Flores
84°Time is running out for Juventus here. They look toothless in attack. With Inter 2-0 up, they are set to fall six points behind the leaders.
Substitution 83°SubstitutionMohamed lamine SissokoChristian Poulsen
82°A final change for Juventus. Poulsen comes on for Sissoko, who has had a shocking game.
Substitution 81°SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriDavid Trezeguet
Substitution 81°SubstitutionAntonio Di NataleSimone Pepe
80°Two changes here. Pepe on for Di Natale for Udinese, Trezeguet makes his return for Juve, replacing Amauri.
78°David Trezeguet is warming up, and is ready to come on
Penalty Goal 77°Penalty GoalVincenzo Iaquinta
Yellow Card 76°Yellow CardGiovanni Pasquale
76°Perhaps it is not game over. Iaquinta drags Juve back into the game from the penalty spot after Pasquale had fouled Grygera in the box.
Goal 74°GoalAntonio Di Natale
73°GOOOOOAAAAL! Brilliant goal from Di Natale, and its game over for Juventus here. Di Natale cuts in from the left, and curls home a stunning shot into the top corner.
71°All too comfortable for Udinese here. There is no way Juve are getting back into this one, and if anything you can see the home side hitting Juve on the counter.
69°It is clear to a blind man that Juventus need to make a change here if they are going to get anything from this match, but Ranieri seems happy for things to continue
66°Amauri goes on a solo run, but he is shepherded away by the outstanding Asamoah
64°Juventus are controlling possession now, but the tempo is far too slow to trouble Udinese
62°Amauri turns smartly on the edge of the box, but shoots straight at Handanovic.
60°Juve are trying hard, but its just not happening for them at the moment. Udinese are holding them very comfortably.
57°Juventus players are surrounding the referee after yet another decision goes against them.
56°Sissoko lets fly from 30 yards, but it is possibly the worst shot you will ever see in your life.
54°Quagliarella drops to the floor clutching his face, under pressure from Legrottaglie, but the referee turns away. Replays show that there was nothing in that tussle.
Yellow Card 53°Yellow CardPavel Nedved
52°Juventus getting really frustrated here. Nedved is booked for simulation just outside the area.
50°Chance for Juve. Iaquinta rises above Coda, but heads over the bar.
49°Yet another chance for Udinese. Quagliarella this time squanders a great opportunity from five yards.
48°OOOOOOH! Fantastic chance for Udinese. Di Natale all alone at the back post but he screws his half volley wide. Bad miss!
46°Welcome back to the Stadio Friuli. One change at half time. Iaquinta replaces the disappointing Marchionni.
Substitution 46°SubstitutionMarco MarchionniVincenzo Iaquinta
45°+2OOOOH - Isla gets in behind Molinaro and shoots from a tight angle, but it is straight at Buffon.
45°No added time played at all by the referee, and that is all for the first half action. Udinese deservedly lead 1-0 through Quagliarella's goal. Join us in 15 minutes for the second half.
42°OOOOOOOOOOH - what a chance for Udinese. Isla put clean through on goal by D'Agostino, but Buffon comes to the rescue with a great save.
40°Giovinco throws a fit near the corner flag after being taken out down the left, but the referee gives nothing
38°Almost a chance for Marchionni inside the area, but the ball gets stuck in his feet, and the chance goes
35°Marchionni tries his luck from long range, but he fires well over the bar
33°Juve just showing a few signs of improvement here. They are having more possession
31°Udinese camped in Juventus' half. Sissoko's passing has been simply dreadful so far.
29°Inler is running the show in midfield, and he lashes the ball wide from 25 yards
27°Di Natale continues to cause havoc though, and he cuts in from the left and hits a deflected effort wide.
25°Fine chance for Juve. Giovinco passes to Amauri, but the Brazilian drags his shot wide from 20 yards.
22°Udinese are completely dominating. They are threatening a second goal here.
Goal 20°GoalFabio Quagliarella
19°GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAL! Udinese are ahead, and it is fully deserved. Di Natale keeps the ball in down the left, squares to Quagliarella, who turns Legrottaglie and fires past Buffon.
17°Udinese are really up for this game. Juventus will have to up their work-rate
15°Juve have their first attempt of the game, as Giovinco lashes the ball over from 25 yards
13°OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! Great chance for Udinese! Buffon punches away a flick-on from a corner, and is lucky when the ball rebounds off Zapata to a Juve defender.
Yellow Card 11°Yellow CardNicola Legrottaglie
10°Udinese launch a lightning fast counter-attack, and Legrottaglie hacks down Quagliarella. Yellow card for the Juve man
8°Di Natale runs at Grygera in a dangerous one-on-one situation, but the Czech defender gets a toe to the ball
6°It's all Udinese in these early stages. Juventus have barely got hold of the ball. Di Natale is looking really sharp, but he over-hits a cross
4°Udinese have started well here. They are passing the ball around beautifully.
2°Quagliarella chases a long ball over the top, but he is offside.
1°And we are off. Udinese attacking from right to left.

JUVENTUS-FIORENTINA 1-0

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:14:44 PST

90°+3 Saccani blows his whistle to end the match as Juve run out as 1-0 winners and move level with Inter on the top of the Serie A table for the time being.
90°+2 OH!!!! Jovetic hits a ferocious half volley that Buffon parries away!!!!
90° The fourth official indicates that there will be three minutes of extra time.
88° Marchionni has acres of space up the left hand side but his intended pass for Giovinco is cut out by Gamberini.
Yellow Card 88°Yellow CardSebastian Giovinco
Substitution 88°SubstitutionCristiano ZanettiChristian Poulsen
86° Fiorentina push men forward desperately looking for the equaliser but Bonazzoli gives up a silly free kick for a push on Grygera.
84° OH!!!!!! Giovinco is off to the races and Frey comes off his line to make another great save!!!!
82°Pasqual does well to sneak his cross in and Grygera is forced to concede the corner kick. Montolivo's ensuing delivery is met by Kroldrup who sends his header wide of the mark.
80°OH!!!!! Gilardino and Jovetic play a one-two and Buffon is forced off his line to break up the play!! Fiorentina are running out of time if they harbour any hopes of taking anything out of this match.
78°Zauri and Nedved continue their personal duel and the Czech midfielder wins the free kick.
Substitution 77°SubstitutionAlessandro Del PieroSebastian Giovinco
76°Play is halted as Nedved receives some attention from the medical staff after a hefty challenge by Zauri.
74°OH!!!!!!! Pasqual takes the ball down and sends in a low cross that Gilardino redirects but his shot is saved by Buffon who makes a wonderful kick save!!!
72°OH!!!!!!!! Marchionni cuts the ball back to Del Piero but his shot from six yards out sails over the crossbar!! He should have hit the net from there!!
Substitution 72°SubstitutionMario Alberto SantanaEmiliano Bonazzoli
70°Felipe Melo's long ball finds Gilardino but he can't direct his cross past Grygera. Montolivo finds Santana all alone on the right hand side but his cross is snapped up by Buffon.
68°Del Piero finds Amauri inside of the Fiorentina penalty area but his weak shot fails to trouble Frey. Melo is shown a yellow card for his treatment of Zanetti while he was laying on the ground.
Yellow Card 67°Yellow CardFelipe Melo de Carvalho
Yellow Card 66°Yellow CardCristiano Zanetti
66°Jovetic takes on two defenders and sends in a cross that Gilardino meets but it's all for naught as the flag is up for offside.
64°OH!!!!!! Marchionni lays the ball back to Grygera who unleashes a wicked blast that Frey tips over the crossbar!!!! That was a real chance!!!
62°Ranieri may be forced to make his first substitution of the match as his team have been second best so far this half.
60°Juventus look to take the air out of the match by playing some possession football.
58°OH!!!! Felipe Melo finds Pasqual all alone on the left hand side and his shot is punched away by Buffon and the rebound is just out of Jovetic's reach!!!!
56°OH!!!! Jovetic finds Santana who hits a first time ball into the penalty area that Gilardino meets but his acrobatic bicycle kick sails over the crossbar!
54°It's all Fiorentina right now as they whip the ball around the pitch looking for that final pass that will pry the Juventus defence open.
52°Santana keeps the ball in play and slips it back to Zauri but once again Mellberg is there to save the day for the Bianconeri.
50°Kuzmanovic plays a delicate chip over the top of the Juventus defence looking for Gilardino but Mellberg makes an important challenge.
48°Zanetti dials up a long distance effort that sails high and wide of the target. Amauri tries to pick out Marchionni but Frey scampers off his line to make the clearance.
46°Saccani gets the second half underway with Juventus holding a slim, 1-0 lead over the visitors. Prandelli makes his first substitution of the match bringing on Kuzmanovic for the disappointing Gobbi.
Substitution 46°SubstitutionMassimo GobbiZdravko Kuzmanovic
45°+2Saccani blows his whistle to end the first half festivities as Juventus take a slim, one goal lead thanks to Marchisio's smooth finish in the 21st minute. Fiorentina though they had grabbed the equaliser in the 33rd minute but Gilardino's goal was controversially waved off for offside.
45°Amauri finds Del Piero and he lays the ball off for Zanetti who takes his eye of the ball and it jumps over his foot. OH!!!!! Great double save by Frey as he robs Marchionni twice from point blank range!!!
43°Santana finds Pasqual on the left hand side and his cross intended for Gilardino is headed out by Legrottaglie.
41°Montolivo hoists a cross into the penalty area that Buffon claims quite easily. Del Piero is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Fiorentina defence.
39°Juventus win their first corner of the match and Del Piero's delivery is cleared out by Gilardino of all people.
37°Gilardino slips the ball through Legrottaglie's legs looking for Jovetic but Buffon scampers off his line and beats him to the ball.
35°OH!!!!!! Juventus win a free kick and Nedved stands over the ball but his laserbeam whizzes past the post!!!!
33°OH!!!!!!!!! Jovetic finds Zauri whose cross is met by Santana and he sends his bullet header crashing off of the crossbar and the rebound falls to Montolivo whose drive is spilled by Buffon and Gilardino taps the ball into the net but the referee has his flag up for offside!!!! It looked as if Marchionni kept Gilardino onside but the linesman did not see it that way!!
31°OUCH!!!! Montolivo catches De Ceglie very late and is shown a yellow card for his troubles.
Yellow Card 30°Yellow CardRiccardo Montolivo
29°Felipe Melo finds Zauri and he lays the ball off for Montolivo but his poor cross is caught easily by Buffon who looks sharp tonight.
27°OUCH!!!! Jovetic is taken down quite heavily by Grygera who is shown the first yellow card of the match.
Yellow Card 26°Yellow CardZdenek Grygera
25°OH!!!!!!! Gilardino takes down Felipe Melo's pass and tries to dance around Buffon who fists the ball away!!!!
23°OH!!!!!! Juventus smell blood as they swarm around the Fiorentina penalty area and Del Piero spots Nedved whose tantalising cross is just out of Marchionni's reach!!
21°GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!! Del Piero slips the ball to Marchisio who slots the ball past Frey and into the bottom corner!!!!!!! Juventus take an early lead!
Goal 20°GoalClaudio Marchisio
19°Sloppy play by both teams as they take turns giving the ball away in the midfield.
17°Fiorentina win a free kick deep in Juventus territory but Santana's inswinging delivery is headed out by De Ceglie.
15°Amauri runs at the Fiorentina defence and unleashes a drive that sails high over the crossbar.
13°OH!!!!! Santana steals the ball and finds Jovetic who dances around Mellberg and is taken down in the box but Saccani waves away his penalty protests!!! An early talking point as Jovetic looked like he was pulled down!!
11°OH!!!!!! Marchionni pokes the ball to Del Piero and his audacious chip almost finds the back of the net!!!!!! Juventus fire an early warning shot!!
9°Marchionni beats two defenders, cuts inside and unleashes a drive that goes well wide of the target.
7°Amauri tries to nutmeg Pasqual but the Fiorentina defender stops him dead in his tracks. Amuari wins his side a free kick and Marchionni's ensuing delivery is headed away by Zauri.
5°Buffon is forced into making his first save in three months as he catches Gilardino's weak header. Zauri sends a delicious cross into the penalty area that Grygera does well to cut out.
3°It is a sold out affair as you would expect for a rivalry of this magnitude and the fans are in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere.
1°Massimiliano Saccani gets the match underway with Ranieri starting Amauri and Del Piero upfront while Prandelli counters with young Jovetic and Gilardino. No Chiellini, Camoranesi, Sissoko or Molinaro for the home side while Mutu and Vargas are missing for the visitors.
90°+3Saccani blows his whistle to end the match as Juve run out as 1-0 winners and move level with Inter on the top of the Serie A table for the time being.
90°+2OH!!!! Jovetic hits a ferocious half volley that Buffon parries away!!!!
90°The fourth official indicates that there will be three minutes of extra time.
88°Marchionni has acres of space up the left hand side but his intended pass for Giovinco is cut out by Gamberini.
Yellow Card 88°Yellow CardSebastian Giovinco
Substitution 88°SubstitutionCristiano ZanettiChristian Poulsen
86°Fiorentina push men forward desperately looking for the equaliser but Bonazzoli gives up a silly free kick for a push on Grygera.
84°OH!!!!!! Giovinco is off to the races and Frey comes off his line to make another great save!!!!
82°Pasqual does well to sneak his cross in and Grygera is forced to concede the corner kick. Montolivo's ensuing delivery is met by Kroldrup who sends his header wide of the mark.
80°OH!!!!! Gilardino and Jovetic play a one-two and Buffon is forced off his line to break up the play!! Fiorentina are running out of time if they harbour any hopes of taking anything out of this match.
78°Zauri and Nedved continue their personal duel and the Czech midfielder wins the free kick.
Substitution 77°SubstitutionAlessandro Del PieroSebastian Giovinco
76°Play is halted as Nedved receives some attention from the medical staff after a hefty challenge by Zauri.
74°OH!!!!!!! Pasqual takes the ball down and sends in a low cross that Gilardino redirects but his shot is saved by Buffon who makes a wonderful kick save!!!
72°OH!!!!!!!! Marchionni cuts the ball back to Del Piero but his shot from six yards out sails over the crossbar!! He should have hit the net from there!!
Substitution 72°SubstitutionMario Alberto SantanaEmiliano Bonazzoli
70°Felipe Melo's long ball finds Gilardino but he can't direct his cross past Grygera. Montolivo finds Santana all alone on the right hand side but his cross is snapped up by Buffon.
68°Del Piero finds Amauri inside of the Fiorentina penalty area but his weak shot fails to trouble Frey. Melo is shown a yellow card for his treatment of Zanetti while he was laying on the ground.
Yellow Card 67°Yellow CardFelipe Melo de Carvalho
Yellow Card 66°Yellow CardCristiano Zanetti
66°Jovetic takes on two defenders and sends in a cross that Gilardino meets but it's all for naught as the flag is up for offside.
64°OH!!!!!! Marchionni lays the ball back to Grygera who unleashes a wicked blast that Frey tips over the crossbar!!!! That was a real chance!!!
62°Ranieri may be forced to make his first substitution of the match as his team have been second best so far this half.
60°Juventus look to take the air out of the match by playing some possession football.
58°OH!!!! Felipe Melo finds Pasqual all alone on the left hand side and his shot is punched away by Buffon and the rebound is just out of Jovetic's reach!!!!
56°OH!!!! Jovetic finds Santana who hits a first time ball into the penalty area that Gilardino meets but his acrobatic bicycle kick sails over the crossbar!
54°It's all Fiorentina right now as they whip the ball around the pitch looking for that final pass that will pry the Juventus defence open.
52°Santana keeps the ball in play and slips it back to Zauri but once again Mellberg is there to save the day for the Bianconeri.
50°Kuzmanovic plays a delicate chip over the top of the Juventus defence looking for Gilardino but Mellberg makes an important challenge.
48°Zanetti dials up a long distance effort that sails high and wide of the target. Amauri tries to pick out Marchionni but Frey scampers off his line to make the clearance.
46°Saccani gets the second half underway with Juventus holding a slim, 1-0 lead over the visitors. Prandelli makes his first substitution of the match bringing on Kuzmanovic for the disappointing Gobbi.
Substitution 46°SubstitutionMassimo GobbiZdravko Kuzmanovic
45°+2Saccani blows his whistle to end the first half festivities as Juventus take a slim, one goal lead thanks to Marchisio's smooth finish in the 21st minute. Fiorentina though they had grabbed the equaliser in the 33rd minute but Gilardino's goal was controversially waved off for offside.
45°Amauri finds Del Piero and he lays the ball off for Zanetti who takes his eye of the ball and it jumps over his foot. OH!!!!! Great double save by Frey as he robs Marchionni twice from point blank range!!!
43°Santana finds Pasqual on the left hand side and his cross intended for Gilardino is headed out by Legrottaglie.
41°Montolivo hoists a cross into the penalty area that Buffon claims quite easily. Del Piero is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Fiorentina defence.
39°Juventus win their first corner of the match and Del Piero's delivery is cleared out by Gilardino of all people.
37°Gilardino slips the ball through Legrottaglie's legs looking for Jovetic but Buffon scampers off his line and beats him to the ball.
35°OH!!!!!! Juventus win a free kick and Nedved stands over the ball but his laserbeam whizzes past the post!!!!
33°OH!!!!!!!!! Jovetic finds Zauri whose cross is met by Santana and he sends his bullet header crashing off of the crossbar and the rebound falls to Montolivo whose drive is spilled by Buffon and Gilardino taps the ball into the net but the referee has his flag up for offside!!!! It looked as if Marchionni kept Gilardino onside but the linesman did not see it that way!!
31°OUCH!!!! Montolivo catches De Ceglie very late and is shown a yellow card for his troubles.
Yellow Card 30°Yellow CardRiccardo Montolivo
29°Felipe Melo finds Zauri and he lays the ball off for Montolivo but his poor cross is caught easily by Buffon who looks sharp tonight.
27°OUCH!!!! Jovetic is taken down quite heavily by Grygera who is shown the first yellow card of the match.
Yellow Card 26°Yellow CardZdenek Grygera
25°OH!!!!!!! Gilardino takes down Felipe Melo's pass and tries to dance around Buffon who fists the ball away!!!!
23°OH!!!!!! Juventus smell blood as they swarm around the Fiorentina penalty area and Del Piero spots Nedved whose tantalising cross is just out of Marchionni's reach!!
21°GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!! Del Piero slips the ball to Marchisio who slots the ball past Frey and into the bottom corner!!!!!!! Juventus take an early lead!
Goal 20°GoalClaudio Marchisio
19°Sloppy play by both teams as they take turns giving the ball away in the midfield.
17°Fiorentina win a free kick deep in Juventus territory but Santana's inswinging delivery is headed out by De Ceglie.
15°Amauri runs at the Fiorentina defence and unleashes a drive that sails high over the crossbar.
13°OH!!!!! Santana steals the ball and finds Jovetic who dances around Mellberg and is taken down in the box but Saccani waves away his penalty protests!!! An early talking point as Jovetic looked like he was pulled down!!
11°OH!!!!!! Marchionni pokes the ball to Del Piero and his audacious chip almost finds the back of the net!!!!!! Juventus fire an early warning shot!!
9°Marchionni beats two defenders, cuts inside and unleashes a drive that goes well wide of the target.
7°Amauri tries to nutmeg Pasqual but the Fiorentina defender stops him dead in his tracks. Amuari wins his side a free kick and Marchionni's ensuing delivery is headed away by Zauri.
5°Buffon is forced into making his first save in three months as he catches Gilardino's weak header. Zauri sends a delicious cross into the penalty area that Grygera does well to cut out.
3°It is a sold out affair as you would expect for a rivalry of this magnitude and the fans are in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere.
1°Massimiliano Saccani gets the match underway with Ranieri starting Amauri and Del Piero upfront while Prandelli counters with young Jovetic and Gilardino. No Chiellini, Camoranesi, Sissoko or Molinaro for the home side while Mutu and Vargas are missing for the visitors.
Goal.com’

Lazio - Juventus 1-1

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:12:32 PST

In what was a very difficult match away to Lazio, Juventus play well and manage to obtain one point thanks to an equalizer by Mellberg, reducing their margin from the Serie A leaders to three points. Lorenzo Ariaudo makes his debut in the Serie A.

The first forty-five minutes were rather tactical nonetheless however producing two goals: one for each side. On the 4th minute Molinaro wins a good ball and passes to Nedved but the ball is too long.

Most of the action is taking place in the midfield with the two teams seeming to be in a study phase, however in the 8th minute Lazio attack and enter the area but the Juventus defence manages to defend well. Three minutes later there is a dangerous cross into the Juventus area but Molinaro manages to head the ball to corner. In the action that follows
Legrottaglie clears a dangerous ball in the area.

The first quarter of an hour sees Lazio taking most of the initiative but in the 13th minute Juventus are awarded a free-kick. The ball reaches Amauri in the area but the Lazio defence manages to clear. Two minutes later Zarate enters dangerously into the Juventus area but the defence manages to clear with some difficulty. On the 19th minute Ledesma tries his luck from a rather long distance but the shot is rather slow and central and Manninger has no difficulty in cradling the ball.

On the 22nd minute Del Piero puts a good ball into the area but Nedved is not fast enough and the ball goes beyond the line. One minute later Legrottaglie clears a very dangerous ball in the Juventus area.

The home team is dictating its game and in the 24th the biancocelesti are awarded a free-kick. Ledesma takes the kick and puts the ball behind Manninger making the score 1-0. Juventus are still trying to digest the goal conceded when barely a minute later Lazio go close to scoring their second goal but Manninger manages to save.

The bianconeri have shown their determination before and begin to react. On the 26th minute there is a free-kick for Juventus from a rather long distance. Alex Del Piero puts the ball into the area but the Lazio defence clears. Three minutes later however Juventus win a corner. The ball enters the area and Mellberg heads home to equalize. This is the first goal of the Swedish defender in the Serie A since his arrival at the beginning of the season.

The minutes which follow see a number of actions in mid-field but on the 35th minute Nedved enters the area and is fouled but does not fall. This could have been a penalty. One minute later there is a good cross into the Lazio area: Marchionni enters but the ball goes high.

In the 39th minute Marchionni puts a dangerous ball into the area with the Lazio defence resorting to a corner. The rest of the half does not see much happening and the referee sends the teams to rest after two minutes of stoppage time.

The second half is a totally different story with both teams fighting hard for possession and trying to have their say. Juventus however, take most of the initiative. On the 4th minute Sissoko with a great run, enters the Lazio area and shoots with the goalkeeper saving with some difficulty. One minute later Marchionni shoots at goal from outside the area but the goalkeeper cradles the ball.

Juventus are piling up the pressure and on the 8th minute Amauri is grounded inside the area but the referee says to play on. Seconds later it is once again Amauri who heads high following a good cross into the area.

Lazio react and in the 10th minute Zarate fires a powerful shot from outside the area with the ball going wide. Four minutes later there is a free-kick for Juventus taken by Marchionni. The ball is put into the area with Mellberg trying to repeat his feat but the ball goes wide. In the 18th minute there is a dangerous movement by Rocchi in the Juve area but the defence manages to clear.

The match is much more interesting now with both teams playing much better football then in the first half. On the 20th minute Zanetti tries a shot from outside the area. The ball is deviated and ends up in a corner. From the corner the ball is headed wide by Legrottaglie. Three minutes later Nedved puts a good ball through for Del Piero but the captain is anticipated.

The 25th minute sees the first substitution for Juventus with Marchisio coming on for Zanetti. Three minutes later Amauri is stopped just outside the area by an obstruction but the referee does not order a foul. Seconds later the freshest man on the pitch, Marchisio,
tries a shot from some distance but the ball goes high.

The 30th minute sees Zarate in a dangerous run with Molinaro managing to win some time before the Lazio player luckily slips. Two minutes later its Manninger who saves a dangerous ball.

On the 35th minute Giovinco comes on for Del Piero and two minutes later it is the atomic ant who on the run passes to Marchionni who puts the ball into the area for Amauri who in turn sees his header being deviated by a defender. On the 40th minute Juventus have perhaps the best chance to go ahead: Legrottaglie hits the post after a great shot at goal from outside the area.

On the 42nd minute De Silvestri puts a dangerous ball into the area but Mellberg clears. Two minutes later there is a free-kick for Juventus taken by Giovinco. The ball is in the area but the Lazio defence puts the ball into corner. The last chance of the match is for Lazio with Rocchi missing a golden opportunity.

Serie A 2008/09 19th Day
Rome, Stadio Olimpico
Sunday 18th January 2009

LAZIO – JUVENTUS: 1-1

Scorers: Ledesma (25th), Mellberg (30th),

LAZIO: Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Diakite, Rozenhal, Radu; Dabo (De Silvestri 70th), Ledesma, Meghni (Brocchi 62nd); Pandev, Rocchi, Zarate (Foggia 77th). Reserves: Muslera, Cribari, De Silvestri, Firmani, Mauri, Brocchi, Foggia. Coach: Rossi.

JUVENTUS: Manninger; Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Ariaudo, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko, Zanetti (Marchisio 70th), Nedved; Del Piero (Giovinco 80th), Amauri. Reserves: Chimenti, De Ceglie, Marchisio, Poulsen, Tiago, Ekdal, Giovinco. Coach: Ranieri.

Referee: Morganti

Yellow Card: Dabo (41st), Del Piero (57th), Molinaro (66th), (Radu 75th), Sissoko (81st), Ledesma (84th), Brocchi (88th),
Juventus.com

Juventus - Catania 3-0 COPPA ITALIA

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:33:44 PST

Claudio Ranieri declared he wants to win the Coppa Italia and this is a step closer after the bianconeri managed to beat Walter Zenga’s Catania by 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

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)

Juventus.com

Juventus - Siena 1 - 0

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:44:36 PST

# 90 +4Russo blows his whistle to end the match as Juventus take all three points with a slim 1-0 victory over a stubborn Siena side. The title race is alive and kicking as Juve cut Inter's lead at the top of the table to just four points.
90 +2Kharja takes Amauri down and concedes the free kick as Juventus are in no hurry to take it.
90 Kharja finds Ghezzal who in turn lays the ball of for Jarolim but his errand pass is cleared out by Molinaro. Time is running out for Siena to take something out of this match.
88 Siena push men forward desperately looking for the equaliser as Frick unleashes a drive that Manninger saves.
86 Siena are enjoying their best spell of the match and Ranieri wisely makes his last substitution of the match to calm things down.
# Substitution 86 SubstitutionLorenzo Del PreteCamilo Zu'n~iga
# Substitution 85 SubstitutionClaudio MarchisioChristian Poulsen
84 OH!!!!!!! Ghezzal runs at the Juventus defence and unleashes a low drive that forces Manninger to push around the post!!!! OH!!!! The ensuing free kick falls to Frick whose close range shot is blocked by Grygera!!! That block probably saved a goal!!!!
82 Kharja receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area but his cross intended for Frick is too close to Manninger who makes an easy catch.
80 Zanetti does well to win a free kick near the corner flag while surrounded by two Siena defenders. Del Piero stands over the ball and whips in his delivery straight to Jarolim who clears the danger.
78 Del Grosso tries a defence splitting pass looking for Packer but Mellberg is there to save the day once again.
# Substitution 78 SubstitutionMarco MarchionniPaolo De Ceglie
76 Siena win a corner as they search for an equaliser. Kharja's delivery is scooped up by Manninger and the chance is wasted.
74 OH!!!!!! Amauri sends Del Piero clear through on goal but he scuffs his shot wide!!!!! Will that miss come back to haunt the home side
72 Siena win a free kick in Juventus' side of the half but Kharja's delivery is cleared out by Mellberg who is having a solid match this afternoon.
# Substitution 71 SubstitutionPaul Costantin CodreaDouglas Ricardo Packer
70 Play is halted as Molinaro is down injured after falling awkwardly while going up for a header. He looks like he will be able to continue.
68 Kharja runs at the Juventus defence and slips a pass into Frick's path but the flag is up for offside.
66 Ranieri makes his first change of the match bringing on Zanetti for Sissoko. Nedved is caught offside as Juventus look for the goal that will put this match to bed.
64 Codrea sends in a delicate chip over the Juventus defence but Manninger scampers off his line to beat Frick to the ball.
# Substitution 64 SubstitutionMohamed lamine SissokoCristiano Zanetti
62 OH!!! Kharja sends in a lovely ball for Frick but Mellberg makes a wonderful sliding challenge!!!
60 Giampaolo makes the first change of the match bringing on Frick for the disappointing Calaio.
# Substitution 59 SubstitutionEmanuele Calaio`Mario Frick
58 Siena play some possession football much to the chagrin of the Juventus faithful.
56 OH!!!!!! Grygera pushes forward and sends in a delicious cross that Amauri meets but he sends his header wide of the mark!!! That was a real chance!!!
54 Nedved takes the ball down and sends in a looping cross to the back post and Del Piero manages to keep the ball in play but he can't manage to get a shot off.
52 Sissoko runs at the Siena defence but trips over the ball inside of the penalty area and the attack fizzles out.
50 Juventus win a free kick in a very promising position. Del Piero stands over the ball but sends his curling delivery high over the crossbar.
48 Molinaro and Nedved try to pull of a one-two but to no avail as Juventus come out attacking to start the second half.
46 Russo gets the second half underway with Juventus holding a one goal lead over the visitors who are not out of it just yet.
45 +1Russo blows his whistle to end the first half with Juventus taking a well deserved 1-0 lead into the interval thanks to a wonderfully taken free kick by Del Piero.
# Yellow Card 45 +1Yellow CardZdenek Grygera
43 Mellberg sends a long pass forward looking for Amauri but Portanova does a good job of beating him to the ball.
41 Ghezzal tries to sneak behind the Juventus defence but the linesman's flag is up for offside.
39 Play is halted as Kharja is down injured but it looks as if he should be able to continue which is good news for Siena supporters as he has been one of the best players on the pitch this afternoon.
37 Del Piero finds Nedved on the right hand side and the Czech warhorse wins his side a corner kick. Marchionni's delivery is poor and comes to nothing.
35 The crowd break into full song and rightfully so as that was a wonderful free kick by Del Piero. Amauri finds Del Piero in full stride but he can't push the ball past Del Grosso.
33 Jarolim takes Nedved down in a very dangerous position and it's Del Piero time!! The Juve faithful hold their breath as their captain stands over the ball..... GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!! Del Piero does it again as he curls his shot around the Siena wall and into the back of the net!!!!!!
# Goal 33 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
31 Sissoko does well to find Del Piero who unleashes a drive that Manitta saves pretty comfortably. Ghezzal sprints down the left hand side and sends in a cross that Manninger gobbles up.
29 Nedved tries to thread a pass into the path of Amauri but Portanova makes a vital intervention. Still no breakthrough in Turin so far this afternoon.
27 Del Grosso finds Ghezzal who is hacked down and wins his side a free kick. Codrea stands over the ball and unleashes a drive that takes a deflection off the Juventus wall and falls to Calaio whose weak shot fails to trouble Manninger.
25 OH!!! Del Grosso's cross finds Kharja who takes the ball down, spins and unleashes a low shot that whizzes past the post!!!
23 OH!!! Legrottaglie gives the ball away very cheaply and Kharja unleashes a drive that Mellberg blocks!!!!
21 Molinaro takes on Portanova and tries to get his cross into the penalty area but his attempt is blocked by the Siena defender.
19 Juve have the visitors pinned back in their own half as Del Piero wins his side a free kick. Marchionni's delivery is met by Amauri but Portanova does enough to throw the big man off balance.
17 OH!!!!! Siena hit Juventus on the counterattack and the ball is cut back to Calaio whose shot seems to hit Legrottaglie's hand but Russo waves away the penalty protests!!!!
# Yellow Card 16 Yellow CardPaul Costantin Codrea
15 Juventus win a free kick deep inside of Siena's side of the half but Marchionni's ensuing delivery is gobbled up by Manitta who makes a good catch in traffic.
13 Del Piero chests the ball down beautifully and tries to pick out Nedved but his pass is over-hit and Del Grosso clears the danger.
11 Juventus are starting to stamp their authority on the match as Nedved finds Del Piero on the edge of the area but his first touch is poor and the chance goes begging.
9 Nedved takes the ball down and lobs a cross into the area that falls to Marchionni but his shot from 15 yards sails over the crossbar.
7 Molinaro pushes forward and sends a cross into the penalty area that is too close to Manitta who makes a comfortable catch.
5 OH!!!!!! Kharja pounces on a loose ball and unleashes a low shot that trickles past the far post!!! He really should have hit the net from there!!
3 Marchionni sprints down the left flank and tries to pick out Amauri but his pass is over-hit and runs out of play. The crowd are in full voice knowing that a victory today will cut Inter's lead to a very manageable four points.
1 Carmine Russo gets the match underway with Ranieri starting Del Piero and Amauri upfront while Giampaolo counters with Ghezzal and Calaio. Chiellini and Buffon will both miss out for Juventus this afternoon.
Goal.com

Atalanta -Juventus 1 - 3

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:43:20 PST

# 90 +3As the whistle blows for full time Juve end the year on a high closing the gap behind Inter to 6 points. Atalanta leave the pitch downbeat after the result but proud of their display which saw them battle to the end.
90 +1The home crowd are in high spirits as they raise the volume to give their side a final push in the closing seconds.
# Yellow Card 90 Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
90 3 minutes signalled for added time as De Ascentis is brought down in the Juve half.
89 Floccari and Vieri exchange well as they search for something in the dying seconds. Cheillini does well to keep them out of the Juve box.
88 Free kick taken by Manninger deep in the Juve half, Marchionni dribbles at the Atalanta backline but then fouls Manfredini gifting a free-kick to the home side.
86 Juve now in control as they look to maintain possession going forward.
# Substitution 86 SubstitutionClaudio MarchisioCristiano Zanetti
# Yellow Card 85 Yellow CardClaudio Marchisio
83 Atalanta continue to insist as they pour forward down the right. Juve have men back in numbers however and the danger is easily snuffed out.
# Yellow Card 81 Yellow CardThomas Manfredini
# Goal 81 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
78 De Ascentis attempts a low drive from the edge of the box, but Chiellini does well to block.
77 Ranieri asks his backline to stay high as they look to play the opposing forwards offside.
76 Garics whips a cross in from the right but his ball is far too high for the forwards to attempt a header.
76 The ball is crossed high and fast into the box as a towering Amauri comes running in to meet the ball......Goooooooool. 1-3 Juve and a vital header that could have gifted the game to the Bianconeri.
75 With 900 seconds plus stoppages left to play Juve win a free-kick on the halfway line. The Bianconeri are slowly finding their feet again as Atalanta commit more and more fouls.
# Substitution 74 SubstitutionPaolo De CeglieHasan Salihamidzic
73 Atalanta still going forward in search of an equaliser. Ranieri opts to change De Cheglie for Salihamidzic as Juve look for more cover.
71 Del Piero steps up and floats a low drive over the wall. Coppola catches with little problems.
70 Del Piero plays a one two with Amauri and is then brought down by Pellegrino. Free-kick to Juve.
# Yellow Card 70 Yellow CardMaximiliano Pellegrino
68 Pellegrino puts a searching ball in for Doni, but the Italian is snubbed out by the Juve defence.
66 The game is shaping up to be a real Christmas cracker as neither team is willing to lower the tempo for an instant.
65 Mellberg runs down the right wing dribbling within centimetres of the line. He crosses for Amauri but the Italo/Brazilian is behind the cross and cannot make contact.
64 De Ascentis booked for a foul on Del Piero. He appeared to clearly take the ball and the booking is rather harsh. The substitute is having an important impact for the home side.
# Yellow Card 64 Yellow CardDiego De Ascentis
62 The home side are back on the attack, Floccari is set through within the Juve box..His touch is poor and he can only cut back to an alert Manninger.
61 Amauri attempts a difficult overhead kick within the box but his effort has little power and is easily dealt with by Coppola.
60 Juve passing the ball around well as they look to take more control. Del Piero earns a dangerous free-kick on the left side of the Atalanta box.
60 The kick is struck straight at goal and put out for a corner.
58 End to end football!!! Atalanta immediatly up into the Juve half as they look for an equaliser, the pace of the game is now adding to the number of miss passes that are becoming more and more frequent with the difficult playing surface.
57 Juve going forward down the right. Mellberg puts a searching ball into the box, nut Garics does well to head out the danger.
55 Ferreira is set free down the right into the corner of the Juve box. As he trys to control he loses his footing and gifts the away side a goal kick.
54 Atalanta are not letting up asm Floccari runs at Mellberg and goes down in the box....No Foul...Farina waves play on as the Nerazzurri player looks back in disbelief.
53 Amauri brought down on the half-way line. Juve have some restbite as they look to slow the tempo down.
50 Atalanta are bouyed as they impose further pressure within the Juve half. The volume is rising within the Atleti D'Azzurri.
# Yellow Card 50 Yellow CardPaolo De Ceglie
# Goal 48 GoalChristian Vieri
48 Del Neri is delighted on the bench as he faith is immediately rewarded by the substitute. Juve could do little to stop the veteran forward as he makes an immediate impact.
47 Quick break by De Ascentis down the right. Legrottaglie cuts out the danger for a corner.
47 The ball is floated in but Juve cut out the danger for another Atalanta corner. Crossed in from the left...Goooooollll. Bobo Vieri powerfully heads home.
46 Sissoko working well down the left as Juve impose more pressure on the home side.
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionLeonardo Jose` TalamontiDiego De Ascentis
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionJaime Valdes ZapataChristian Vieri
45 The players are out for the second-half. Atalanta have introduced Vieri and De Ascentis to try and get back into the game.
45 Farina blows for half-time. Juve head into the break extremely happy with the way they dealt with the early pressure to go on and take command of the game. The home side are left to curse the possible error from the linesman as he failed to spot the possible offside of Marchionni for the Juve opener.
41 Mellberg challenges strongly to gift a free-kick to the home side. The pitch is clearly still causing a number of problems for both sides.
# Yellow Card 40 Yellow CardCristiano Doni
39 Juve now have a commanding grip on the game, but the home side are intent not to give in. Doni is set on a run at the Juve backline..He goes down...Farina pulls out a yellow card for simulation.
37 Another Juve corner from the right. Great cross in from Del Piero....Gooooooool. Nicola Legrottaglie outruns his marker and jumps to powerfully head into the top corner.
# Goal 37 GoalNicola Legrottaglie
36 Garics puts a clever ball over the top to Floccari who charges down the last Juve defender. The danger is dealt with by Manninger however who is quick off his line.
34 Atalanta are trying to respond but are leaving themselves more exposed at the back. The volume is rising in Bergamo as the home side is awarded a free-kick in the Juve half.
32 Juve are slowly taking control and have another corner. The ball is floated deep to Marchionni who is quicly closed down on the edge of the box.
31 The Atalanta bench is incensed as Sissoko appeared to pass to Marchionni who was in a possible offside position when he received the ball.
30 Juve playing great one touch football as they look to break quickly. Marchionni puts a dangerous ball into the box, it passes by two Atalanta defender and falls to Del Piero....GOOOOOOL. Alex taps in from 6 yards to gift his side an opener.
# Goal 30 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
29 The ball is floated in dangerous..Doni takes no chances as he heads out for a Juve corner.
28 Ferreira clashes with De Ceglie and gifts Juve another kick this time within shooting range of goal. The medics are on the pitch as Ferreira appears to have hurt his head.
27 Talamonti brings down Amauri as Juve earn a free-kick in the opposing half.
25 Marchionni running down the right cuts a square ball to Marchisio who shoots from distance...The ball finishes high over the bar, but Juve are clearly trying to push up.
23 Juve going forward down the left..Amauri crosses, but Padoin cuts out the danger for a corner with Marchionni causing a nuisance close behind.
22 Manfredini floats a ball high into the Juve box...Doni jumps..but the ball is well cut out by Chiellini.
20 Floccari is released inside the Juve box and with two defenders around him he spins round to unleash a powerful drive at Manninger...Close!!! Great stop by the Juve keeper.
19 Manninger takes a goal kick and slips embarassingly putting the ball out for an Atalanta throw.
18 The pitch is clearly causing a few problems as a number of players have slipped in quick succession.
15 Del Piero floats a great ball out wide to Marchionni, but the danger is carefully cut-out by Padoin. Juve are growing as the game is shaping up to be a close fought encounter.
13 Marchionni steps up but the kick is easily cleared by the Nerazzurri defence.
12 Quick break by Juve down the left...the ref blows for a free-kick as a Juve player goes down.
11 Juve are in the game and that was a clear signal to Atalanta who have been dominating so far.
10 Ball in from the right by Marchionni...Chiellini jumps ...GOAL...Offside, the goal is ruled out with four Juve players in an active position.
8 Juve are making life difficult by lumping long balls forward to Amauri.
6 Molinaro commits an error gifting the ball to Ferriera Pinto on the right, Atalanta are going all out to put the Juve back line under pressure.
4 Juve are making heavy work of clearing their lines. Atalanta are insistent on taking an early advantage.
3 Chiellini loses the ball in the box and Floccari takes advantage striking from close range....Manninger makes a great stop. Atalanta in control.
2 Free-kick to Atalanta for a foul on Doni on the edge of the Juve box.
2 Doni steps up and floats a dangerous right footed drive just over the bar. So close. Atalanta could have broken the deadlock.
1 Atalanta quick to go forward working well down the left flank.
Goal.com

Juventus - Milan 4 - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:40:41 PST

# 90 +3Rizzoli blows his whistle to end a majestic match as Juventus run out as deserving 4-2 winners and claim second place as their own.
90 +1Pirlo takes his frustrations out on Marchiso as he chops the youngster down. Milan are on course to fall nine points behind their cross town rivals in the race for the Scudetto.
89 Seedorf gives the ball away cheaply to Zanetti and he tries to feed a wide open De Ceglie but his pass is over-hit and runs out of play.
# Substitution 88 SubstitutionMohamed lamine SissokoCristiano Zanetti
# Substitution 88 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
87 Sissoko receives a rousing ovation as he trots off the field in favour of Zanetti.
85 Molinaro makes a mistake inside of his own penalty area but Chiellini comes to his rescue and is forced to concede the corner.
83 OH!!!! Jankulovski gives the ball away to Marchisio and his low shot almost finds the bottom corner!!!!!
81 OH!!!! Ronaldinho takes the ball down and sends in a cross that Inzaghi meets but his header is straight at Manninger who makes a routine save!!
79 Sissoko wins the ball back in the midfield for the umpteenth time and breaks up yet another Milan attack.
77 Manninger does well to scamper off his line and beat Antonini to the ball.
# Substitution 76 SubstitutionAlexandre PatoFilippo Inzaghi
# Yellow Card 75 Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
75 Amauri is taken down outside of the penalty area and wins his side a free kick. Del Piero stands over the ball but curls his shot over the crossbar.
# Substitution 73 SubstitutionMassimo AmbrosiniLuca Antonini
72 Ambrosini shows his frustration by lashing out at Del Piero and he receives a yellow card for his troubles.
# Yellow Card 72 Yellow CardMassimo Ambrosini
70 OH!!!!!!!!! Del Piero beats his marker, cuts inside and lets a shot fly that rattles the post!!!!! This match may turn ugly as Juventus are running circles around Milan.
# Goal 69 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
68 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!! Juventus restore their two goal lead as Sissoko plays Amauri through and the big man slots the ball past a helpless Abiatti!!!!
66 Shevchenko is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Juventus back line. The Rossoneri are really up against the wall now!
# Yellow/Red 65 Yellow/RedGianluca Zambrotta
64 OH!!!!!!!!!! Zambrotta takes down De Ceglie on the edge of the penalty area and is quickly shown his second yellow card of the match!!!!! Milan are down to ten men!!!!
62 It's all Milan at the moment as they search for the equaliser with Jankulovski skipping to the byline but his pass intended for Shevchenko is cut out by Mellberg.
60 Pirlo gives the ball away to Del Piero but Maldini comes to his rescue with a great sliding tackle!!
58 Juve win another corner but Maldini does a good job muscling Chiellini off the ball. Del Piero's cross is met by Chiellini once more but his header sails over the crossbar!
56 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Ambrosini takes the ball down and unleashes a drive that deflects off Chiellini and beats Manninger who dove the wrong way!!!! It's game on at the Stadio Olimpico!!!!
# Goal 56 GoalMassimo Ambrosini
54 Jankulovski pushes forward and tries to pick out Pato inside of the penalty area but Molinaro makes an important block.
52 Ronaldinho tries to find Shevchenko with a long looping ball but Mellberg makes an easy clearance. It looks as if Milan have run out of ideas without Kaka in the lineup.
50 Molinaro does well to sneak up the left flank and win his side a corner. OH!!!!! Marchionni's delivery is headed out by Zambrotta but straight to Sissoko who unleashes a daisy cutter that Abbiati pushes around the post!!!!!!
48 Marchionni floats a cross into the penalty area and Chiellini is first to the ball but he sends his header high over the crossbar. OH!!!!! Marchisio dials up a long distance effort that almost finds the roof of the net!!!!
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionFerreira EmersonAndriy Shevchenko
46 Rizzoli gets the second half underway with Juventus firmly in the driver's seat. It will take a Herculean effort by Milan to try and take something out of this match at this point.
45 Rizzoli blows his whistle to end an absolutely enthralling first half as Juventus hit Milan for three goals and take a 3-1 lead into the halftime interval!!!
43 OH!!!!!!! Del Piero runs at the Milan defence and unleashes a drive that Maldini charges down!!!
41 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!! Marchisio wins back possession and finds De Ceglie on the left hand side and his majestic cross is met by Amauri who sends a bullet header past a helpless Abbiati!!!!!!!
# Goal 41 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
40 Pirlo plays a delicate chip into the penalty area looking for Pato but Manninger scampers off his line and beats the Brazilian striker to the ball.
39 OUCH!!!!!!!! Zambrotta catches De Ceglie with a cynical tackle and is quickly shown a yellow card as the fouls are coming in fast and furious!!!
# Yellow Card 38 Yellow CardOlof Mellberg
# Yellow Card 37 Yellow CardGianluca Zambrotta
37 Marchissio runs at the Milan defence and tries to pick out an open De Ceglie on the left hand side but his pass is over-hit and runs out of play.
35 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!!!! Juventus win a corner and Chiellini rises to meet Marchisio's delivery and sends in a downward header that finds the bottom corner!!!!! What a match so far!!!!
# Yellow Card 35 Yellow CardFerreira Emerson
# Goal 34 GoalGiorgio Chiellini
33 Play is halted as Sissoko receives some treatment from the medical staff after being caught from behind by Ambrosini.
31 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Kaladze wins the ball in the midfield and finds Ronaldinho on the right hand side and his picture perfect cross finds Pato who slots the ball into the open net!!!!!!!!
# Goal 31 GoalAlexandre Pato
# Substitution 30 SubstitutionPavel NedvedPaolo De Ceglie
28 Nedved will need an early shower as he has picked up a muscle injury and will be replaced by De Ceglie who is an intriguing young prospect.
26 Zambrotta concedes a corner as the big boys from the back trudge forward. Nedved's delivery is poor and fails to beat the first defender and the chance is wasted.
24 Emerson roughs up Del Piero in the midfield as is lucky to escape a booking as the intensity picks up.
22 Seedorf looks like he is really up this match as he sends in a tantalising ball that Marchissio does well to clear out.
20 It's end to end stuff here in Turin wirh both teams really going after it as Marchissio takes Ronaldinho down and concedes the free kick. OH!!!! Pirlo's free kick deflects off the wall and seems destined for the corner until Manninger pushes the ball around the post!!!!!
18 OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ambrosini misses a glorious opportunity as he latches onto Seedorf's cross and sends his free header over the crossbar!!!! That was a glaring miss by the midfielder!!!!
16 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Del Piero sends Abbiati the wrong way and Juventus take an early lead!!!!!!!
# Penalty Goal 16 Penalty GoalAlessandro Del Piero
14 OH!!!!!!!!!!! Del Piero receives the ball and is taken down inside of the penalty area by Jankulovski and Rizzoli wastes no time in pointing to the spot!!!! PENALTY FOR JUVENTUS!!!!
11 The rain is really starting to come down hard and we shall see how that affects both sets of players.
9 Seedorf takes the ball down and finds Ambrosini who dials up a long distance effort that fails to trouble Manninger.
7 OH!!!!!! Marchionni finds Amauri inside of the penalty area but his acrobatic volley flies over the crossbar!!!!
5 Seedorf finds Zambrotta down the right flank and he is greeted with a chorus of jeers as his cross is cut out by Mellberg.
3 It is a sold out affair at the Stadio Olimpico as you would expect for a match of this magnitude. It's three points or bust tonight for both teams as they trail Inter by nine points.
1 Nicola Rizzoli gets the match underway with Ranieri starting Del Piero and Amauri upfront while Ancelotti counters with Pato as the lone striker.
Goal.com

Juventus 0-0 BATE Borisov Champions Leauge

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:19:28 PST

# 90 +3Free Kick Bate. This could be a last chance to score. Nekhaychik shoots...its over.
90 +3Thats it! Juventus and Bate share the spoils on a very dull night in Turin. Neither side were able to do the business on the night. Juve finish their group in top spot.
# Yellow Card 90 +2Yellow CardAleksandr Ermakovich
90 +2Juventus break with Esposito who finds Zanetti but he gives it away with a poor pass.
# Substitution 90 +1SubstitutionPavel NedvedLuca Castiglia
90 Normal time is now up. There will be three minutes of injury time added on.
89 Khagush shoots from 40 yards but the ball, as expected goes wildly out. A poor effort.
# Substitution 89 SubstitutionSergei KryvetsAleksandr Ermakovich
88 Two minutes left and the stadium is looking empty already as disappointed fans make their way home early.
87 Ranieri gives his youngsters a run out as Esposito replaces Giovinco.
# Substitution 87 SubstitutionSebastian GiovincoSimone Esposito
85 Fives minutes remain here in Turin and the game seems to be heading for a draw. Neither team are gunning for glory.
84 Krivets crosses for Bate but Sosnovskiy's header flies wide. It takes a deflection and it's a corner but t comes to nothing.
83 Juventus are still coming forward. Marchionni crosses...Del Piero is pushed in the area but the ref waves play on.
81 Ohhhh!!! Great work by Marchionni who plays a terrific one-two with Del Piero but the Italian striker's header is weak.
80 Free kick Juventus Sivakov fouls De Ceglie. Zanetti pupms it forward.
79 Juventus break on the counter but De Ceglie's cross is too long.
78 Bate come forward...oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Blizniuk should have scored!!!! The midfielder turns on a six pence and beats Zanetti but his finish goes wide.
76 Del Piero shows great skill and whips it in but there is no presence in the box. Without Amauri there is no target man.
74 Neither side seems motivated enough to go for glory. The game is beginning to fizzle out.
72 Bate appeal for a penalty with Blizniuk after the ball comes of Mellberg's hand but the referee waves play on.
71 Zanetti shoots from range and Veremenko needs to attempts to stop it. Juve are getting closer.
70 Molinaro's cross is too long for Legrottaglie at the back post but it goes out.
68 Nedved shoots...Veremko saves it. The Bianconeri are wasteful and it seems like they will not be scoring any goals tonight.
67 The Belarussian side come forward...Rodionov finds Khagush who shoots but it's charged down by Grygera.
66 Bate are really poor. No attempt to play the game and they have resorted to fouling.
64 Juve are enjoying good spells of possession but they cannot seem to find the finish.
63 It's end to end stuff here in Turin but some scrappy play as Bate keep up the fouling. Free Kick Juve. De Ceglie shoots...blocked.
# Yellow Card 62 Yellow CardAnri Khagush
61 Nedved is hacked. Free kick Juventus. Giovinco swings it in...goal kick.
# Substitution 60 SubstitutionIgor StasevichPavel Nekhaychik
59 Krivets tries his luck from distance but his effort is woeful.
58 Juve are increasing the pressure. No Bate player is in the Bianconeri's half at the moment.
57 Great run by Giovinco...he leaves three defenders for dead and cuts it back to Neved but his effort is weak and Veremko saves.
# Substitution 57 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriAlessandro Del Piero
# Substitution 57 SubstitutionDmitri LikhtarovichAleksandr Volodko
56 Del Piero replaces Amauri. Some interesting play is expected as the master links up with his apprentice.
55 Bate come forward...Stasevich crosses but Grygera clears for Juve. Sivakov comes back for his side, crosses for Rodionov but the header goes wide.
54 The game is at walking pace. There is no spark in the affair. Del Piero should be on any minute now.
# Yellow Card 54 Yellow CardSergei Veremko
# Missed Penalty 53 Missed PenaltySebastian Giovinco
53 Claudio Ranieri is not impressed! Giovinco has just missed a great chance to score from the spot but he blasts it over. What a shame.
52 Penalty! Sivakov handles for Bate. Giovinco steps up to take it as Del Piero is on the bench. Ohhhhhhh Nooooooooooooo!!!!! What a miss by the youngster.
51 Ohhh!!!! Marchionni hits the post for Juventus...Bate escape. Great work by the midfielder who links up with Amauri. The Brazilian crosses, Marchionni meets it but hits the woodwork.
50 Bate come forward with Rodionov, the cross is dangerous...Stadevich heads it...Manninger saves well.
49 Great run by Giovinco who swings it in towards Amauri but the ball is cleared.
# Yellow Card 48 Yellow CardCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
# Yellow Card 47 Yellow CardSergei Sosnovski
47 Del Piero is warming up down on the touch line. Amauri goes into the book this time as he gets revenge on Sosnovski.
46 Sosnovski goes into the book for a clumsy challenge on Amauri. He was late and dangerous.
45 Bate get the game back under way. Zanetti is fouled and takes a quick free kick towards Amauri but it's cleared.
45 It's goal less here in Turin. Neither side have been able to penetrate. Juventus have enjoyed the better chances but some poor finishing and good defending by Bate has seen the scores stay level. An improvement is needed in the second half if there are to be some goals as well as entertainment for the fans who have braved the cold to come out and watch the action.
45 Thats it...no more time to score as the Cypriot referee blows for the interval bang on time. Both teams head for a hot drink.
43 Great work by Nedved who feeds Amauri but, once again, the striker wastes his chance. BAte come forward...Krivets...Zanetti clears.
41 Ohh!! Great chance for Juve. Giovinco leaves Kazantsev for dead but his shot is dragged wide. Unlucky.
39 Just over five minutes remain here in Turin until the end of the first half. Amauri has been outstanding as has Molinaro and Marchionni but the ball just won't go in for Juve.
37 Great skill by AMauri who beats Khagush but then he is stopped by Sivakov.
36 Neither side are doing anything special but the Italians are dominating.
35 Free kick Juve. Nedved is hacked by Sivakov. It's far but Giovinco wants it. He tries a Del Piero v St Petersburg but it doesn't work.
33 The game has slowed right down. Juventus are misfiring with some stop and start football. Bate don't seem interested in going for a goal.
32 Scare for Juventus...nobody picks up Rodionov who runs through as he chases down a long ball but Manninger is quick off his line and smothers the danger.
31 Juventus move it around well but Krivets makes a good challenge on Giovinco. Great run by Molinaro...Amauri...cleared again.
29 Offiside Amauri. The Brazilian-born striker is caught napping on De Ceglie's pass.
28 Juventus have had plenty of chances but they are struggling to stick them away. Bate defending well. Khagush wins possession for his side and pumps it forward but Manninger catches well.
27 Another corner for Juve. Giovinco goes over to take it. It's a great corner but Lichtarovich anticipates well and gets his head on the ball before Legrottaglie.
25 Great run by Amauri who finds Giovinco but his shot from close range is blocked. Nedved swings it back in...corner...cleared by Bate. Juve are stepping on the gas.
24 Offside Stasevich. Legrottaglie pumps it forward looking for Amauri but it's cleared.
22 Juve are unlucky not to be in front. Giovinco's free kick was top class and had everyone fooled.
22 Free Kick Bate...Sivakov shoots from distance but it's central for Manninger who makes a decent save.
21 Khagush fouls Giovinco. It's in a dangerous position on the edge of the box...ohhhhhhhh!!! The youngster takes it himself and it just goes wide.
20 The Old Lady are creating the openings but Bate are holding out. Good defending from the Belarussian side.
19 Nedved tries to get the ball rolling for his side but Kazantsev applies the pressure and forces the midfielder into making a mistake.
17 Juventus in possession as they move the ball around well. Nedved wins the corner...Amauri jumps to meet it...out for a goal kick.
16 Great challenge by Legrottaglie on Radionov. The Bate front man gets away with a hand ball but the defender's challenge in the box is timed to perfection.
15 Great work by Grygera down the wing. His one-two pass with Machionni works for Juve and the opening is carved out, but Amauri is late coming in at the far post.
13 There's a mixed tempo to the game early on. Giovinco runs through on goal after De Ceglie's pass but Khagush clears for Bate.
12 De Ceglie exchanges passes with Amauri out on the left wing but the Brazilian fails to control the reverse ball and it goes out for a goal kick.
10 Legrottaglie gives away a needless free kick. Everyone is up for Bate. The ball comes in from Sosnovskiy, it's a dangerous one but it's cleared by Zanetti. Juventus break.
8 Corner for Bate, Zanetti clears on the near post. The ball comes back in but Krivets runs offside for the visitors.
7 Juve are in firm control here. The Belorussian side are sitting back as they defend in numbers.
6 Free Kick Juventus. Sosnovskiy fouls Giovinco who swings it in from the right but it's cleared. Marchionni shoots...Easy for the 'Keeper.
4 It's a good start by Juventus. Molinaro feeds Nedved but the Czech midfielder controls the ball with his hands. Free Kick Bate.
2 Second corner for Juventus...Giovinco swings it in again but Chiellini's header is gathered by Veremko.
1 Juventus get the game underway and Zanetti pumps the ball forward towards Paolo De Ceglie. Juventus win the corner...Giovinco takes it...Bate clear.
0 It's a very frosty night here in Turin. It snowed all night and the ground staff have been busy clearing the pitch. The surface looks good as the teams come through the tunnel.
Goal.com

Lecce - Juventus 1-2

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:38:36 PST

# 90 +4Pierpaoli blows his whistle to end the match as Juve ride a late Amauri goal to obtain all three points in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Lecce
90 +2Play is halted as Giovinco is hurt but it looks as if he will be able to continue.
90 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! De Ceglie sends in a delicious ball that Amauri meets and his downward header beats a helpless Benussi!!!!! Juve take a late lead!!!!
# Goal 90 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
88 Sissoko wins his side a free kick and Giovinco's delivery finds Chiellini but he can't direct his header on goal.
86 Marchisio floats a cross into the penalty area that Amauri meets but his weak header is saved by Benussi.
84 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Giacomazzi plays a beautiful ball into the area that finds Cacia who takes in on the volley and his shot finds the bottom corner!!!!!!
# Goal 83 GoalDaniele Cacia
# Substitution 82 SubstitutionMarco MarchionniPaolo De Ceglie
82 Castillo receives the ball inside of the penalty area and lets a low shot go that Manninger parries away. It's all Lecce at the moment!!
# Substitution 81 SubstitutionGianni MunariDaniele Cacia
80 OH!!!!!!!!! Lecce come close as Giuliatto sends in a delicious cross that Castillo meets but he somehow sends his header over the crossbar from six yards away!!!! That was a shocking miss!!!!
78 Giuiatto receives the ball on the right hand side and his cross to the back post is headed away by Molinaro.
76 Tiribocchi is taken down from behind and Legrottaglie is shown a yellow card. Caserta takes the ball down and unleashes a shot that Manninger saves.
# Yellow Card 76 Yellow CardNicola Legrottaglie
74 Play is halted as Nedved receives some repairs after Esposito took him down from behind.
72 OH!!!! Munari leads a promising Lecce counterattack but the ball gets stuck in his feet and the chance is wasted!!
70 Lecce are running out of time if they harbour any hopes of taking something out of this match.
# Substitution 69 SubstitutionRaffaele SchiaviAlberto Giuliatto
# Substitution 69 SubstitutionLuca AriattiFabio Caserta
68 Beretta makes a double change as Caserta and Giuliatto come on in place of Ariatti and Schiavi.
66 OH!!!!!!! Tiribocchi rises to meet Esposito's cross and sends a powerful header just wide of the target!!!! That was a real chance!!!
64 Giovinco is fouled from behind and wins his team a free kick deep in Lecce territory. His curling delivery is missed by three players and finally Stendardo clears the danger.
62 It's all Juventus at the moment as they push men forward looking to put the match to bed.
# Yellow Card 61 Yellow CardLuca Ariatti
60 Tiribocchi turns Chiellini inside out and the Juve defender is forced to bring him down but the ensuing free kick comes to nothing.
58 OH!!!! Giovinco finds Sissoko who lays the ball off to Amauri but his shot can't find the target once again!!
# Goal 57 GoalSebastian Giovinco
56 Giovinco runs at the Lecce defence and is taken down by Giacomazzi in a very dangerous position. GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Giovinco stands over the ball and curls in a shot that finds the top corner!!!!!! What a goal by the youngster!!! Del Piero would be proud of that effort!!!
54 Ranieri is on the touchline barking out instructions to his team who need a victory to keep pace with Inter Milan.
52 OH!!!!! Giovinco skips to the byline and cuts the ball back to Amauri but he scuffs his shot wide of the net!!! He should have hit the target from there!!
50 Molinaro wins his side a free kick and Giovinco's ensuing delivery is headed out by Stendardo.
48 OUCH!!! Esposito catches Marchionni with an elbow that leaves the Juve midfielder feeling dazed and confused. Marchisio takes the ball down and lets a weak shot go that Benussi easily saves.
46 Pierpaoli gets the second half underway with all three points still very much up for grabs.
45 Pierpaoli blows his whistle to end what has been a fairly drab first half as neither team was able to find the back of the net. Let's hope the second half is an improvement.
43 Giovinco does well to beat his marker and finds Marchionni whose first touch lets him down and the attack fizzles out.
41 Castillo runs by Grygera and raises his elbow into the defenders face!!! The infraction was not spotted by any of the officials and Grygera is livid!!
39 Sissoko wins his side a free kick as Giovinco stands over the ball. His curling delivery is punched away by Benussi who beat Amauri to the ball.
37 Castillo takes the ball down on his chest and sends in a volley that fails to trouble Manninger.
35 Ariatti runs at the Juve defence but Grygera makes a great tackle and breaks up the play.
33 Molinaro receives the ball on the left hand side and sends in a cross that Stendardo heads out for a corner kick.
31 Marchionni wins his side a corner but Giovinco's delivery is headed away by Stendardo who is having a solid game so far this afternoon.
29 Tiribocchi beats Chiellini with a nice turn and the Juve defender is shown a yellow card. Munari finds Tiribocchi on the left hand side but his poor cross runs out of play.
# Yellow Card 29 Yellow CardGiorgio Chiellini
27 Juventus have had the lion's share of possession in the last ten minutes but have nothing to show for their dominance.
25 OH!!!! Grygera plays a cross into the penalty area that Benussi fumbles and Nedved goes down under his challenge but Pierpaoli waves away his penalty protests and the ball falls to Sissoko whose shot is blocked!!!
23 Chiellini plays a hopeful long ball looking for Amauri but his pass is over-hit and runs straight into the waiting arms of Benussi.
21 Giovinco runs at the Lecce defense and unleashes a shot that Stendardo blocks. Juve are enjoying their best spell of the match so far.
19 Marchionni is taken down and wins his side a free kick in a dangerous area. Giovinco stands over the ball and whips in a curling delivery that finds Legrottaglie but his header sails wide of the far post.
17 Giovinco beats two defenders but his final touch lets him down as that was a wonderful dribbling display from the diminutive dynamo.
15 Sissoko and Amauri play a one-two but the Mali international slips on the ball and the attack fizzles out.
13 Sloppy play by both teams as they take turns giving the ball away in the midfield. No real chances yet for either team this afternoon.
11 Play is halted as Nedved and Schiavi clash heads and both require some medical attention. Sissoko dials up a long distance effort that fails to hit the target.
# Yellow Card 11 Yellow CardRaffaele Schiavi
9 Castillo does well to win his side a corner but the ensuing delivery is poor and Chiellini clears the danger. It has been a cagey start this afternoon.
7 Schiavi crashes into Nedved from behind and is lucky to escape a booking.
5 Juventus win a free kick deep in Lecce territory as Giovinco stands over the ball. The youngster's delivery fails to beat the first defender and the chance goes begging.
3 It is a sold out affair this afternoon in Lecce with the crowd in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere. Schiavi takes the ball down but his poor cross runs out of play much to the chagrin of the Lecce faithful.
1 Nicola Pierpaoli gets the match underway with Beretta starting Castillo and Tiribocchi upfront while Ranieri counters with Amauri and Giovinco.
Goal.com

Juventus - Reggina 4 - 0

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:35:12 PST

# 90 Damato mercifully blows his final whistle as Juventus take all three points with an emphatic 4-0 victory in the snow tonight.
88 Giovinco runs at the Reggina defence and somehow picks out Iaquinta on the right hand side.
86 Juventus win a free kick as Chiellini is in no hurry to take it with a four goal advantage. Ranieri will be quiet pleased with his team's performance this evening.
84 Reggina push forward looking for a consolation goal but can't find a way to pry open the Juventus defence.
82 Corradi takes down Legrottaglie down from behind before unleashing a curling drive that fails to trouble Manninger.
# Substitution 82 SubstitutionFrancesco CozzaDavide Di Gennaro
80 Giovinco pushes forward and unleashes a drive that Cirillo blocks. A lovely buildup by Juventus fails to produce a goal when Del Piero slips inside of the penalty area.
77 Both sets of players are slipping and sliding out there as they can't wait for Damato to blow the final whistle.
# Substitution 76 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
75 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Del Piero steps up to the spot and smashes the ball into the top corner!!!! 4-0 for the home side!!
# Penalty Goal 74 Penalty GoalAlessandro Del Piero
73 OH!!!!! Giovinco sprints past Cirillo who is forced to take down the youngster and Damato wastes no time in pointing to the spot!!!! Penalty for Juve!!!
72 Cozza finds Barilla who wastes no time in unleashing a drive that Grygera blocks.
70 With the match firmly in hand the Bianconeri supporters in the stands start to chant "whoever doesn't jump is a Nerazzurro!"
# Substitution 70 SubstitutionClaudio MarchisioSebastian Giovinco
68 Reggina win a free kick and Brienza stands over the ball and slots a shot into the net!!! The referee waves away the goal as he did not blow his whistle yet to take the free kick!!! Nedved takes on his marker and unleashes a drive that fails to hit the target.
66 Juventus try to add to their goal tally as Del Piero wins a free kick but his low delivery is cut out by Cirillo.
64 Amauri is bowled over and has some choice words for the referee. This match could turn into a real blowout if the Amaranto are not careful in the final 25 minutes.
62 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Chiellini rises to meet Marchionni's free kick delivery and beats Campagnolo who was rooted to the spot!!! The route is on!!!
# Goal 62 GoalGiorgio Chiellini
# Yellow Card 61 Yellow CardGleison Pinto Dos Santos
60 Reggina look they have given up as their heads are down and their body language is poor.
58 Marchisio finds Amauri inside of the penalty area but he is quickly surrounded and is forced to lay the ball back to Nedved and the attack fizzles out.
# Substitution 57 SubstitutionCarlos Emilio CarmonaLuca Tognozzi
56 Sloppy play by both teams as they take turns giving the ball away in the midfield.
54 Brienza picks out Corradi on the left flank and his cross is met by Cozza but his weak shot is saved by Manninger.
52 Cirillo dials up a long distance effort that fails to trouble Manninger. The snow is really coming down now in Turin...
50 Corradi finds Brienza who hammers a low cross across the face of goal but Legrottaglie makes a good clearance.
# Substitution 50 SubstitutionAlvarezBernardo Corradi
48 Reggina need an early goal in the second half if they harbour any real hope of taking something out of this match.
46 Damato gets the second half underway with Juventus firmly in the driver's seat this evening.
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionMauro German CamoranesiMarco Marchionni
45 +1Damato blows his whistle to end the first half with Juve taking a two goal advantage into the interval courtesy of Camoranesi and Amauri..
45 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!! Amauri takes down Camoranesi's cross and pokes the ball past Campagnolo to give Juventus a two goal lead!!!
# Yellow Card 45 Yellow CardFrancesco Cozza
# Goal 44 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
43 OH!!!!!!! Camoranesi finds Nedved all alone in the penalty area but his blast is well saved by Campagnolo!!!!
41 Manninger is forced off his line as Brienza tries to latch onto a low through ball from the boot of Cirillo.
39 Barilla finds some space on the left hand side but his cross is cut out by Marchisio who did well to track back and clear the danger.
37 Brienza fails to keep the ball in play as Reggina search for an equaliser. Cozza is caught offside as the tries to sneak behind the Juventus back four.
35 Barreto finds Cozza on the right hand side but his cross intended for Brienza is headed away by Chiellini who is having a solid game so far this evening.
33 OH!!!!!!! Reggina almost level the match as Santos' meets Cozza cross but his shot hits the crossbar!!!! That was a real chance!!!!
31 It's all Juventus right now as Del Piero wins his side a corner kick. Camoranesi's delivery is met by Del Piero but his first time shot is well wide of the target.
29 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!! A lovely move by Juventus as Del Piero finds Nedved on the right hand side and he cuts the ball back to Camoranesi who is left with a simple finish!!!
# Goal 28 GoalMauro German Camoranesi
26 It's Valdez's turn to go into the book as he commits a silly foul on Del Piero. OH!!! Del Piero stands over the ball and whips in a shot that Campagnolo parries away!!!!
# Yellow Card 25 Yellow CardCarlos Adria'n Valdez
24 Camoranesi commits a foul and then exchanges some pleasantries with Damato and is shown a yellow card for dissent.
23 Amauri runs at the Reggina defence but Valdez makes a wonderful tackle to break up the play. Brienza finds Cozza on the edge of the penalty area but his shot deflects off Legrottaglie and out for a corner.
# Yellow Card 23 Yellow CardMauro German Camoranesi
21 Wet snow is beginning to fall upon the Stadio Olimpico as both teams search for the opening goal of the match.
19 Grygera finds Marchisio on the right flank and his cross is headed out for a corner. OH!!!! Camoranesi's ensuing delivery is met by Chiellini who sends his header wide of the mark from six yards away!!!!
17 Del Piero finds Sissoko on the edge of the penalty area but his wild shot sails high and wide of the target.
15 OUCH!!! Legrottaglie shows his studs to Barreto and is lucky to escape a booking! Cozza stands over the ball and hammers a shot straight into the Juventus wall.
13 Camoranesi skips to the byline and cuts the ball back to Del Piero who is taken down in the penalty area but Damato waves away his protests!!
11 Del Piero finds Camoranesi with a neat backheel pass and his cross into the Reggina penalty area is headed away by Santos.
9 Costa takes the ball down on his chest and sends in a cross that is too close to Manninger who makes a comfortable catch.
7 Santos finds some space and tries to pick out a wide open Barilla on the left hand side but his pass is over-hit and runs out of play.
5 Molinaro finds Nedved on the left flank and he sends in a cross to the far post that Camoranesi leaps for but instead falls awkwardly on his shoulder and requires some treatment from the Juve medical staff.
3 Chiellini tries to find Amauri with a long looping ball but Cirillo makes a timely intervention. It is a cold and rainy evening in Turin and we shall see how this affects both sets of players.
1 Antonio Damato gets the match underway with Ranieri starting Amauri and Del Piero upfront while Orlandi counters with Cozza and Brienza.
Goal.com

Zenit - Juventus 0-0 Champions Leauge

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:07:59 PST

# 90 +3Last desperate attempt for Zenit. Juve came here to play for a draw. Grygera smashes it clear.
90 +3Beyond injury time...That's it! Juventus maintain their unbeaten run in Europe this season. The Italian side did the job in style and they will be happy with a point.
90 +2Sissoko asks for trouble as he handballs and picks up a yellow card. He is now out of the game against Bate Borisov.
# Yellow Card 90 +2Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
90 +1Juventus are glad to see Manninger claim the ball from Krizniac's cross.
90 Three Minutes of added time are to be played.
89 Just a few minutes remain here in ice cold St Petersburg. Juventus are trying to hold onto the ball with Nedved but Giovinco gives the ball away.
# Substitution 88 SubstitutionVincenzo IaquintaCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
87 Free Kick Zenit after Marchisio gives away a needless foul on Danny. Sirl strikes but it's poor and into the wall. Juve break but Sissoko fluffs the chance.
86 Great save by Manninger again! Danny comes across for the header but the Austrian 'Keeper plucks the ball out.
85 Juventus are under intense pressure. Zenit have thrown everyone forward as they desperately try to score. Chiellini saves the day from Krizniac.
84 heading towards the last five minutes. Fayzulin tries a shot but it's deflected and out for a corner. Everyone's up for it but Sissoko heads it out for another corner. Ohhh! Manninger is forced to make a miracle save.
# Substitution 84 SubstitutionMauro German CamoranesiMarco Marchionni
82 Ohhhhhhhhhh!!! Juventus escape again. Danny tries to finish with the outside of his boot from close range but he slices the ball too much to send it spinning wide of the far post.
81 The game is heading into a grand finale here as both teams attack each other.
79 Ohh! Fayzulin is onside but he wastes to much time pondering on what to do next allowing Chiellini to close him down.
77 Del Piero comes off for Giovinco. Can the youngster show his true worth and help fire his side towards a win.
# Yellow Card 77 Yellow CardAnatoliy Timoschuk
76 Nedved wins the free kick from Tymoschuk. Del Piero is over it. It's a good position as Malafeev sets up his wall. The Italian shoots, it's comes through the wall but it's pretty central and the goalkeeper makes an easy save.
74 Manninger pumps it upfield after Fayzulin was caught offside. However, not for the first time in this game, Juve give away possession far too easily.
72 Juventus are happy to let Zenit play. The Russians are in no hurry either as they play the ball back to Malafeev. Pogrebnyak is over enthusiastic and he gives away a free kick on Chiellini.
70 Twenty minutes plus injury time remain here in St Petersburg. The affair is balanced and can go either way as Zenit attack with Sirl but Manninger makes a good save.
# Substitution 70 SubstitutionAndrey ArshavinViktor Faizulin
69 Both teams have had some great chances in this half but neither have been able to take advantage as Fayzulin replaces Arshavin.
67 Ohhhhhh!!!! Zenit hit the post. Pogrebnyak leaves Mellberg for dead and unleashes a brilliant drive on goal but his left foot effort comes back off the post.
65 Krizanac makes a desperate challenge on Camoranesi and Zenit break. Danny has a brilliant chance to score but he fluffs his effort thanks to Marchisio's outstanding tackle.
64 Juventus have just shown Zenit a lesson in how to pass your way out of trouble as Nedved and Del Piero combine superbly and it nearly pays off. Great work by the veterans.
62 Free Kick Zenit. However, it's wasted. Arshavin and Tymoschuk. The game is starting to fade away.
60 The game has slowed down again. It's coming and going in phases as both teams step up then back down. Zenit are holding onto the ball as they move it around well.
58 At least Grygera is wide awake as he makes life for Danny. The Portuguese midfielder tries his luck only to be thwarted by the stopper.
57 Great chance for Zenit. Danny and Sirl work well to create the space down the left but the incoming cross is wild from the midfielder and it goes out.
55 Ten minutes into the second half and it's Juventus who have started better. The Bianconeri have had a number of great chances but missed all of them. Will they be punished for it
54 Ohhh! Del Pieroooooooooooo!!! How did he miss Camoranesi squares it low and across the box and the Italian misses from two yards out. Unbelievable.
53 Great work by Nedved who finds Del Piero. The striker twists and turns on the edge of the box but his finish is weak.
52 Krizinac fouls Del Piero who steps up to take the free kick. Del Piero shoots...Malafeev saves it well.
50 Ohhh! Krizanac meets the ball at the near post but his header is high and wide of the mark. Juve escape again.
49 Poor control by Camoranesi. Nedved did brilliantly to pick him out with a defense cutting through pass but Zyryanov did well to track back and tackle.
48 Juventus should have scored. Anyukov gets the ball rolling for his side but Chiellini clears the ball down field.
45 Juventus get the second half underway. No changes at half time as the Bianconeri come forward.
46 Ohh!!! How Juventus have not managed to score is incredible. Del Piero, Nedved, Camoranesi and Grygera all tried the luck in what seemed like a game of table tennis between the Italians and Malafeev in goal.
0 Neither side have been able to make their chances count on the night. Juventus have come closer to scoring despite being on the back foot for most of the half. Mellberg and Iaquinta hit the post while Zenit did score but it was rightly chalked off for offside. The half time score reflects the first half well. It's a good game and more of the same will be expected in the second half. Stay tuned and follow the next 45 minutes as they happen on Goal.com
45 +1Thats it! The referee blows his whistle to send both teams for a warm cup of tea.
# Yellow Card 45 Yellow CardMauro German Camoranesi
44 Zenit are banging at the door as Tymoschuk and Denisov try and work an opening. Ouch! Camoranesi hacks Sirl. Yellow Card for the Italian. Free Kick Zenit as one minute is added to injury time.
# Yellow Card 43 Yellow CardVincenzo Iaquinta
42 Ohhh No! Iaquinta sees yellow for kicking the ball away petulantly after being blown for offside. Only a few minutes remain but neither Juventus nor Zenit have been able to do the business in front of goal.
41 Big scare for Juventus but they were correctly saved by the lineman's flag. Bianconeri break with Iaquinta and Del Piero but the former Udinese man's reverse ball was too close to Malafeev.
39 Goooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllll Zenit take the lead!! No! They don't. Krizanac had the ball int the back of the net but he was offside. Both teams are still deadlocked.
37 Free Kick Zenit. Camoranesi fouls Pogrebnyak. Tymoschuk steps up. He blasts it low but Manninger gets down well to tip it out for a corner.
36 Ohh! Great chance for Juve but Del Piero's drive is blocked. Camoranesi did brilliantly to get the cross in.
35 Ohh! Malafeev forces the corner from Nedved's cross. Del Piero swings it into the area but it's cleared. Zenit break but Marchisio and Sissoko defend well.
33 Ohhh! Just over by Camoranesi who latches onto Del Piero's cross but the ball bounces up awkwardly as the midfielder shoots and the effort is scuffed.
31 The Russian side are keeping the ball well. Juventus are have hardly had a look-in but they are really compact in defense and they are closing down well.
29 Blatant foul on Camoranesi but the referee waves play on. Zenit break but Danny's cross from the right is too deep and the chance is wasted.
28 Pogrebnyak is there...No! Great clearance by Chiellini who hooks the ball clear. Zenit are upping the ante.
26 Free Kick Zenit. Chiellini fouls Pogrebnyak. Denisov shoots, Manninger is there to save it.
25 The game has slowed down as the temperature takes it's toll. Arshavin wins the corner off Molinaro. The Russian swings it in dangerously. Everyone misses it. The ball is still with Zenit.
24 Juventus should be in front. They have had the better chances and have hit the post twice. Ranieri's side are dangerous on the break and it's only a matter of time before they hit the net rather than the wood work.
22 Ohh!!! Iaquinta hits the post! Unlucky for Juventus. Great work by Nedved and Molinaro who combine brilliantly to feed the striker.
21 Zenit are enjoying the lions share of the possession. Juventus seem happy to defend. There is no real attacking impetus from the Italians and they are inviting pressure onto themselves.
19 Ohh! Good save by Manninger. Sissoko gives the ball away down the right and he is almost punished as Zyryanov meets Danny's flick on but the Juventus goalkeeper makes the save down low to his right post.
17 Free Kick For Zenit after Camoranesi fouled Danny. Manninger asks for a four man wall. Pogrebnyak drives one with his left but it's high and wide. Juve escape.
15 Claudio Ranieri is looking frustrated down on the bench. The coach is asking Iaquinta to come back and help his side when defending.
13 Anyukov plays in Danny who runs through in behind the defence. However, the linesman's flag goes up. Juve come away.
11 Iaquinta is looking good up front. The big hit-man is causing problems for the defenders. Zenit come forward with Arshavin but Mellberg deals with it.
10 Ohhh!! Mellberg hits the post for Juventus from Camoranesi's in-swinging cross after Iaquinta won a free kick.
9 Ouch! that must have hurt. Lombaerts goes into the book for a nasty tackle on Iaquinta.
# Yellow Card 9 Yellow CardNicolas Lomberts
7 The early pace is good and we have a flowing game. The Italian's have started well but Zenit are holding onto the ball well. Neither side are taking major risks.
5 Ohh! Danger for Juventus as Arshavin shoots with his pink boots. No problem for Manninger though as he sees the Russian's effort flash wide.
4 Good move by Dik Advocaat's side down the left wing as Danny races towards the box. However, his cross doesn't find anyone and Chiellini is able to smash the ball clear.
3 Zenit come forward. Arshavin chases the ball down the line but it's too strong and the player slips over. Zenit regain possession.
2 Free Kick Juventus. Camoranesi swings it in from the edge of the box. Ohh! Iaquinta meets the ball but sends it over. Good start by the Italians.
1 Zenit kick off and the ball is pumped forward for Pogrbnyak to chase but Chiellini is there to watch the ball go out harmlessly.
0 Both teams are out and ready for action. Juventus' players are all wearing thermals under their shirts. The temperature here in St Petersburg this evening is -2 degrees but fans will be hoping the football keeps them warm.
Goal.com

Inter Milan - Juventus 1-0

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:33:12 PST

# 90 +3Rizzoli blows his whistle to end the match as Inter run out as 1-0 winners in the Derby D'Italia!!!!!
90 +2Juve push everyone forward as Del Piero is called for a foul on Materazzi who is in no hurry to take the free kick. Play is halted as Chiellini goes down under Cruz's challenge.
90 The fourth official indicates that there will be three minutes of extra time.
# Substitution 89 SubstitutionSulley Ali MuntariPatrick Vieira
88 Camoranesi wins a free kick in a dangerous position. Camoranesi stands over the ball and whips in a delivery that Ibrahimovic of all people heads out.
86 Cruz wastes no time in getting involved in the action as he takes Chiellini's legs out from underneath him. Stankovic receives a standing ovation as he leaves the field.
# Substitution 85 SubstitutionDejan StankovicNicolas Andres Burdisso
84 Mourinho finally makes his first change of the match as he brings on Cruz for Adriano. Cruz likes to score against Juventus and let's see if he can manage that feat in the next six minutes.
# Substitution 83 SubstitutionAdriano Leite RibeiroJulio Ricardo Cruz
82 Camoranesi rounds Maxwell and forces him to concede a corner kick. OH!!!!!! Del Piero rises to meet Camoranesi's delivery and sends in a downward header that Julio Cesar parries away!!!!
80 Muntari does well to find Maxwell on the right hand side and his delicious cross is just out of Adriano's reach.
78 Adriano does well to beat this marker but his through ball intended for Maicon is intercepted by Molinaro. Stankovic is surrounded but still manages to sneak in a cross that Cheillini clears away.
# Substitution 77 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
76 Ranieri makes his last change of the match as Iaquinta trots on the field for Amauri.
74 Muntari finds Stankovic on the left hand side and his cross is cleared out by Chiellini. Molinaro pushes forward and finds Nedved but Stankovic makes a great sliding tackle!
72 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Muntari opens the scoring as Ibrahimovic latches onto a loose ball and sends in a low shot that Muntari redirects into the net!!!!!!
# Goal 72 GoalSulley Ali Muntari
70 Ranieri rolls the dice and brings on Inter's bogeyman Camoranesi. Muntari skips to the byline but his poor cross hits the side netting.
# Substitution 69 SubstitutionMarco MarchionniMauro German Camoranesi
68 Muntari spots an open Ibrahimovic but the lanky Swede is caught offside once again much to the dismay of the Nerazzurri faithful.
66 Samuel plays a good ball into the penalty area but Stankovic's first touch lets him down and the chance is wasted.
64 Stankovic is back on the field as Adriano rises to meet Ibrahimovic's cross but once again can't direct his header on the target. OH!!!!! Ibrahimovic is off to the races but sends his shot wide of the mark from 12 yards away!!!
62 Inter are down to ten men for the time being as Stankovic receives some treatment on his lower leg.
60 Both teams are giving the ball away way too easily as the crowd show their displeasure. Muntari finds Ibrahimovic and his cross is met by Adriano whose header fails to trouble Manninger.
58 Juve have had the lions share of the possession in the second half but have nothing to show for their dominance.
56 Del Piero finds Nedved on the right flank but his cross intended for Marchisio is cleared out by Maxwell. OH!!!!!!!! Materazzi's long ball finds Stankovic who unleashes a drive that Legrottaglie blocks. Stankovic is claiming there was a hand ball but Rizzoli is having none of it!!
54 Samuel takes down Amauri and is shown a yellow card and in a matter of minutes both of Inter's centre backs have been booked.
# Yellow Card 53 Yellow CardWalter Adrian Samuel
52 Ibrahimovic plays a lovely ball intended for Adriano but Legrottaglie makes a vital intervention. Del Piero tries to take on Samuel and Cambiasso but fails in his mission and Materazzi clears the danger.
50 Marchisio finds Molinaro on the left flank but his cross is blocked by Materazzi who is everywhere at the moment. OUCH!!!! Materazzi crunches Del Piero and is shown a yellow card!!
# Yellow Card 50 Yellow CardMarco Materazzi
# Generic 50 Generic
48 Nedved finds Marchionni on the left flank but Materazzi makes a great sliding tackle. Juve win the first corner of the second half and Del Piero's delivery falls to Sissoko but his thunderous shot is blocked by Maicon.
46 Rizzoli gets the second half underway with all three points still very much up for grabs.
45 +2Rizzoli blows his whistle to end a scoreless first half at the San Siro. There were chances for both sides but Julio Cesar and Manninger have been up to the task so far this evening.
45 OH!!!!! Ibrahimovic lays the ball off to Muntari who unleashes a drive that Manninger parries away!!!!
43 OH!!!!!! Marchisio dials up a long distance effort that Julio Cesar tips over the bar!!! That was Juve's best chance of the match!!!
41 Cambiasso finds Ibrahimovic on the left hand side and his cross is met by Adriano whose weak header fails to trouble Manninger.
39 Amauri latches onto a loose ball and cuts the ball back to Marchionni but his first touch lets him down and the chance goes begging.
37 Grygera pushes forward and sends in a low cross that Samuel does well to cut out. Grygera has managed to gallop forward on a couple of occasion but the final product has been poor.
35 OH!!!! Inter are enjoying a good spell as Adriano powers a shot across the face of goal!!!
33 OH!!!!!!!!!!!! A terrible mistake by Legrottaglie sends Ibrahimovic clear through on goal but he pushes his shot wide of the post!!!! That was a real chance!!!
32 Ibrahimovic sends a cross into the penalty area but Stankovic and Adriano get into each other's way and the chance goes begging.
31 OH!!!! Maicon stands over the ball and whips in a curling delivery that Manninger punches over the bar!!!
29 Nedved runs at the Inter defence and unleashes a low shot that whizzes past the post. Ibra shows his class by dancing past two Juve defenders and Legrottaglie is forced to take him down and is shown a yellow card for his troubles.
# Yellow Card 29 Yellow CardNicola Legrottaglie
27 OH!!!! Ibrahimovic holds off two defenders and manages to let off a weak shot that fails to trouble Manninger. OH!!!! Inter win a free kick and Adriano's delivery is met by Muntari at the back post but Manninger comes up with a good kick save!!!
25 OH!!! Marchionni goes down under Muntari's challenge inside of the Inter penalty area but Rizzoli waves away his protests!!! He was looking for the penalty there and went down much too easily.
# Yellow Card 25 Yellow CardCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
23 Muntari gives the ball away cheaply and Grygera finds Marchionni but his cross is cleared away by Materazzi who has looked solid in the early going.
21 Amauri meets Marchionni's cross but sends his header wide of the target. Stankovic picks out Adriano at the far post but his weak header is saved easily by Manninger.
19 Ibrahimovic does well to win his side a corner kick and Maicon's delivery is headed out by Molinaro for another corner.
17 Del Piero wins his side a corner and his ensuing delivery is headed by Materazzi straight to Grygera but his wild shot sails high over the crossbar
15 Marchionni finds Grygera on the right hand side but his woeful cross is over-hit and runs out of play.
13 OH!!!!!! A great ball by Samuel finds Stankovic behind the Juve back four but he trips over the ball and can't get a shot off!!!!
11 Juve take the air out of the match by playing some possession football much to the chagrin of the Nerazzurri faithful. Maicon scoots up the right hand side and sends in a cross that Legrottaglie heads out.
# Generic 10 Generic
9 Adriano holds the ball up and plays it to Stankovic who is quickly surrounded and the attack fizzles out. Adriano is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Juve back line.
7 Amauri chests the ball down to Del Piero who tries to chip it over the top of the Inter defence and forces Julio Cesar to scamper off his line and clear the danger.
5 Del Piero tries to flick the ball onto Amauri and the captain seems to have twisted his ankle on the play. He looks as if he will be able to continue...
3 OH!!! Ibrahimovic latches onto a loose ball and sends in a cross that hits Chiellini and seems to have come off his hand but Rizzoli waves away the protests!!! Tiago is down injured and needs some treatment from the Juve medical staff. Tiago's evening is over before it really even started!
# Substitution 3 SubstitutionTiagoClaudio Marchisio
# Injury 2 InjuryTiago
1 Nicola Rizzoli gets us underway at the San Siro with Mourinho starting Adriano and Ibrahimovic upfront while Ranieri counters with Del Piero and Amauri.
Goal.com

Juventus - Genoa 4 - 1

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:30:52 PST

# 90 +4The referee looks at his watch one last time. That's it. Juventus win 4-1 against Genoa.
90 +3Genoa pour forward but the game is stopped as Juric is down on the ground in pain following Sissoko's tough challenge.
# Own Goal 90 +2Own GoalSokratis Papastathopoulos
90 +1Goooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Juventus restore their advantage but it's Sokratis who puts the ball into his own net.
90 Into the final minute. The penalty has lifted Genoa as the fourth official shows a minimum of four minutes added time.
# Penalty Goal 88 Penalty GoalDiego Alberto Milito
# Substitution 87 SubstitutionAlessandro Del PieroSebastian Giovinco
87 Del Piero comes off for Sebastian Giovinco. A great performance by the captain. Penalty!!!! Legrottaglie handles in the box. The referee points to the spot.
87 Goooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!! Milito pulls one back from the spot. It's straight down the middle as Manninger dives to his right.
86 The points are in the bag and Juventus are heading for the top of the league.
# Goal 85 GoalVincenzo Iaquinta
85 Into the final five minutes. Goooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!! It's three and easy for Juventus. Iaquinta has scored with his second touch after Del Piero played a magical through ball to his colleague.
84 Del Piero wins a free kick for Juventus as Vincenzo Iaquinta replaces Amauri.
# Substitution 84 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
# Yellow Card 83 Yellow CardMarco Rossi
83 Great challenge from Tiago on Milito. The Argentine striker was just about to pull the trigger. Still Genoa..Juric crosses, Juve clear.
82 Criscito finds Milito but Molinaro clears. Amauri...plays it to Del Piero...he goes for the far post. Great save by Rubinho.
80 Corner to Juventus...It's played short by Del Piero... Legrottaglie...out for a goalkick.
# Substitution 80 SubstitutionGiuseppe BiavaSokratis Papastathopoulos
79 Biava receives treatment for clashing with Del Piero. He's soon back on the pitch but he is replaced with Sokratis.
77 Juventus working the ball around well. Del Piero had a great chance to score but he wasted it after taking too long on the ball. Biava stopped him and the ball was pumped forward.
75 Great pass from Juric to Milito but Manninger smothers the danger.
73 Chiellini bursts forward...wasted. His cross is woeful as it heads towards the stands.
72 Genoa have stepped off the gas slightly. They are looking tired. Juve's high line is making life difficult for the away side.
70 Biava fouls Del Piero. Free Kick. It's in the striker's range. The number 10 lines it up...He goes for the far post but it's just over. A good effort by the captain.
69 Camoranesi replaces Marchionni to offer Juventus more width on the right and balance the attacking threat.
68 Corner for Genoa after Chiellini clears Salvatore Bocchetti's cross. The cross is floated in but it's cleared. Genoa try another move.
67 Another corner for Juve. Played short but Milito reads it well and clears. Genoa break.
65 Corner for Juventus. Nedved crosses but it's cleared. Juve try again but Criscito stops Marchionni.
64 Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Great chance for Sculli and Genoa. Juric spread the play wide but no-one picked up the striker who raced towards goal but his finish hit the side netting.
# Substitution 64 SubstitutionMarco MarchionniMauro German Camoranesi
62 Juventus are keeping the ball well as we head into the last half hour of the game. The home side seem happy just to sit back and relax but they are inviting the pressure onto themselves. Genoa come forward.
# Substitution 61 SubstitutionAlessandro PotenzaSalvatore Bocchetti
60 Sissoko tries his luck from distance but it's high, wide and heading to row z.
58 Genoa come forward with Juric who plays Palladino.....He crosses....no! it's a poor attempt and ends up on the roof of Juve's net.
57 Motta fouls Nedved badly and earns a yellow card for his efforts.
# Yellow Card 57 Yellow CardTiago Motta
55 The game has settled down again after a frantic start to the second half. Camoranesi has started to warm up down on the touch line.
53 Tiago cross again.....Amauri! Ohhhhhh!!! Rubinho makes a good save from the striker's header.
52 Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Amauri shows some Brazilian magic to work his way into the box but Del Piero is caught napping and he fails to connect to the cross.
52 Free Kick Juventus. Tiago to cross it in.....Motta fouls and it has to be re-taken.
50 Sculli's introduction is stretching the Bianconeri. It's all Genoa in these early second half minutes.
49 Ohhhhhh!!! Milito does well to work an opening but he leans back as he shoots and it goes well over.
48 Juric plays in Palladino but the player is slow to react and his cross is late coming in. It goes behind the strikers....Genoa come again. Palladino shoots, great block by Chiellini.
47 Sculli gets to action but Chiellini is there to smother the danger.
46 Genoa start the second half with Giuseppe Sculli coming on for Gasbarroni.
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionAndrea GasbarroniGiuseppe Sculli
45 Goals from Grygera and Amauri have given Juventus a deserved 2-0 lead over a resilient Genoa side. There hasn't been anything in it really. The Rossoblu have matched the Old Lady, the only difference is the home side have been cynical and they took their chances when they arrived. Genoa on the other hand have showed a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. It's a great game here in Turin. Follow the second half live on Goal.com...
45 +1Thats it! The referee blows for half time and sends both teams for a nice cup of hot tea on a very cold night in Turin.
45 Into the final minute of the first period. Genoa try one last attack as Potenza breaks on the right but Molinaro and Nedved combine well to clear.
44 Del Piero feeds Amauri...Ohhh. The Brazilian fails to time his run to perfection and he is caught offiside.
42 Free Kick Juventus.....It's well far though. Del Piero shoots....No! The number 10 slips as he takes it and the ball zooms away from goal.
40 Five minutes to go until half time. Gasbarroni crosses from the left but it's too hard and beats Potenza who was waiting in the box.
39 It's looking difficult for Genoa as the clock ticks towards half time. The Bianconeri are in control as Molinaro tries an opening but he slips and the chance is wasted.
37 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! It should have been 3-0! Criscito saves the day for Genoa as he clears off the line. Del Piero fed Molinaro but he wasted time and shot late, allowing the Rossoblu stopper to clear.
35 The game has started to slow down a little. The away side are looking dangerous every time they come forward. I Grifoni are well organised as they try again.
33 Legrottaglie is back on the pitch after receiving treatment. Just a knock, nothing serious and he is able to continue.
32 Genoa still banging at the door. Juventus having to defend. Palladino leads the charge but his pass to Gasbarroni is too long.
30 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Genoa hit the post. Gasbarroni's cross-shot fooled Maninger in goal. Legrottaglie goes down injured.
29 Free Kick Genoa....Gasbarroni, the cross comes in but Amauri heads clear.
28 Genoa coach Giampiero Gasperini has seen enough and the 2-0 scoreline has prompted him into making changes. Giuseppe Sculli warms up.
26 Juventus are in cruise control. A well worked move has culminated in the Bianconeri doubling their money.
26 Goal! Genoa....No! It's rule out for offside. Milito put the ball in the net but he was ruled to be off...just.
25 Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Tiago shoots....wide.
25 Gooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2-0 Juventus!!!! Amauri meets Grygera's cross to head past Rubnho.
# Goal 25 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
23 Corner to Genoa. Played short but Sissoko intercepts....Del Piero....Foul on him by Biava. Free Kick.
22 Juventus are being pegged back into their own. Milito is flagged for offside. Juve can breathe.
20 The game has balanced itself out here. Plenty of action at both ends. Palladino spreads the play. Throw in to Genoa after Chiellini clears. Criscito shoots....well wide.
19 Genoa are pushing for the equalizer. They have been unlucky on a few occasions. Juve have been warned.
18 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Sublime work by Milto he leaves Grygera, Legrottaglie and Chiellini for dead but he blasts wide. The Bianconeri escape once again.
16 Great work by Del Piero who back heels to Sissoko. Counter attack from Juve....Ohhhh Nedved fails to control it and it goes out for a Genoa throw.
15 Genoa come forward. Juric crosses for Milito but Marchionni clears. The Rossoblu maintain possession. Juve have stepped off the gas.
13 Great link up play between Molinaro and Del Piero but the stopper's cross is weak and Rubinho gathers well.
11 Great work by Milito who finds Palladino but Chiellini is there. Corner comes in....Ohhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Juve escape. Ferrari has a free header but it's over the bar.
9 Juventus in form control here in Turin. The Bianconeri are allowing their opponents little freedom on the ball. Genoa come forward but the Bianconeri are defending well. Palladino offside.
7 The Old Lady has stunned her opponents. Can Genoa strike back Palladino blasts over as he tries an instant response.
5 Ferrari fouls Amauri but the referee awards a throw in. Busy spell for the Bianconeri.
5 Gooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!! Zdnek Grygera gives Juventus the dream start. The Czech international plays a neat one-two with Del Piero and powers through the box to blast low and hard into the far post. Rubinho had no chance.
# Goal 5 GoalZdenek Grygera
3 The home side are holding on to the ball well. Genoa are having to defend with Juve playing a high line. Amauri breaks down the right but it's cleared by Domenico Criscito.
2 It's been a good start for Juventus. Del Piero and Nedved looking sharp as they try and get something going.
1 Juventus get the game underway and pump it long up to Amauri but it goes out for a goal kick.
Goal.com

Chievo - Juventus 0-2

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:26:38 PST

# 90 +4The match finishes 2-0 here at the Stadio Bentegodi. Del Piero opened the score just before half time with a trademark free kick, his fifth of the season, and Iaquinta doubled it ten minutes into the second half with a penalty. Juve earn their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions and keep up the pace with leaders Inter, who also won today. Chievo are in 19th place with 6 points. Thank you for following this match on Goal.com!
90 +2Former Chievo man Amauri has a shot on goal, Sorrentino goes on the ground and grabs the ball.
90 +1OOOHHH!! JUVE ALMOST MAKE IT 3! Grygera's shot from distance leaves Sorrentino without a chance but hits the crossbar!
90 There will be four minutes of injury time.
87 Del Piero comes off for Amauri and receives another standing ovation.
# Substitution 87 SubstitutionAlessandro Del PieroCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
86 Now Ekdal gets booked for a foul on Yepes.
# Yellow Card 85 Yellow CardAlbin Ekdal
# Substitution 83 SubstitutionTiagoZdenek Grygera
83 Juve take off Tiago, who receives an applause from the crowd, for Grygera.
82 Chance for Chievo: Iunco sends in a low cross, which just fails to find Pellissier who was on hand to tap the ball in.
78 Di Carlo makes his last change, bringing in Marcolini for D'Anna.
# Substitution 78 SubstitutionMichele MarcoliniEmanuele D'Anna
75 Iaquinta tries to get past Mandelli, but he loses control of the ball.
# Yellow Card 72 Yellow CardAntimo Iunco
71 Iunco gets booked for protesting against the referee after he ignored Chievo's pleas for a penalty.
70 Chievo protest for a possible handball by Legrottaglie inside the area, but the referee says play on.
67 Del Piero takes another free kick from the left, this time Sorrentino manages to punch it away.
65 Iaquinta makes a run on the left and plays it in to Del Piero, whose shot from the edge of the area fails to test Sorrentino.
63 Double Chievo substitution: Luciano comes in for Esposito, while Iunco replaces Langella.
# Substitution 63 SubstitutionAntonio LangellaAntimo Iunco
# Substitution 63 SubstitutionMauro EspositoLuciano Siqueira de Oliveira
60 Great work by Del Piero, who drives Yepes crazy with his dribbles on the left wing, before crossing it in for Iaquinta, but it comes to nothing.
58 Marchionni looks for Iaquinta, but the Chievo defence clear the danger, and Mantovani can start up a new attack.
55 Esposito sends the ball forward, it's just out of Pellissier's reach. Juve are controlling the proceedings at the moment.
# Goal 54 GoalVincenzo Iaquinta
# Missed Penalty 53 Missed PenaltyVincenzo Iaquinta
# Yellow Card 52 Yellow CardAndrea Mantovani
52 PENALTY FOR JUVENTUS! Mantovani touches the ball inside the area with his hand, it's a penalty and a yellow card for the defender. Iaquinta takes it... SAVED! BUT THEN THE BALL COMES BACK TO HIM AND HE SCORES!! 2-0 JUVE!
49 Now Bentivoglio gets booked for foul play. It's been a fragmented start of the second half as both teams have to refind their balance.
# Yellow Card 49 Yellow CardSimone Bentivoglio
# Yellow Card 47 Yellow CardTiago
# Yellow Card 47 Yellow CardAntonio Langella
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionMohamed lamine SissokoAlbin Ekdal
46 The second half has started: Ranieri has brought on Ekdal for Sissoko.
46 Tiago and Langella are both booked for bickering during half time.
45 +1Pellissier just can't connect with the ball from a great position after Chiellini lost the ball, once again after slipping.
45 +1The first half finishes 1-0 to Juve, thanks to another great free kick by Del Piero in the 40th minute. See you in 15 minutes for the second half!
45 There will be 1 minute of stoppage time.
44 Del Piero takes the corner, but it comes to nothing as Chiellini slips inside the area.
43 Another interesting free kick for Juve now after a foul on Iaquinta. The captain takes it again, this time his low shot is deflected for a corner.
40 GOOOAAAALLLLLLL!!! It's another free kick from Alex Del Piero, his fifth of the season! From 25 meters he curls it in with a typically clinical shot that goes in just under the crossbar!
# Goal 40 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
38 Once again Tiago is playing an impressive match, helping his team out all across the pitch and never hitting a wrong pass.
35 Del Piero tries a typical curling left footed shot from the edge of the area... but it's not quite up to his high standards as it goes well wide.
33 De Ceglie makes a good run on the left, but his cross can't find Iaquinta in the area.
# Yellow Card 32 Yellow CardNicola Legrottaglie
31 Now Legrottaglie gets booked for a foul on Pellissier. It's not a pretty game at the moment...
# Yellow Card 29 Yellow CardGiorgio Chiellini
28 Esposito gets booked for not keeping the distance on a Juve free kick.
27 Del Piero goes for a shot from 25 meters with his left foot, the ball is blocked and comes to Tiago, who tries to find Iaquinta inside the area, but the striker had failed to make a run.
25 Mellberg loses the ball to Langella, who can't take advantage as his left footed effort goes on the outside of the net.
23 Birthday boy Del Piero, who turns 34 today, plays it to Iaquinta on the edge of the area, but he slips and loses the ball. Not the first time that's happened this afternoon on this slippery Bentegodi pitch...
21 Molinaro gets booked for a foul.
# Yellow Card 21 Yellow CardCristian Molinaro
18 Iaquinta tries a spectacular overhead kick, but it goes wide. He was in an offside position though.
17 Langella almost takes advantage of a slip by Mellberg, but his cross is easily dealt with by Legrottaglie.
14 Esposito sends the ball in to the near post, Pellissier can't get there in time and Manninger can grab the ball.
11 Chance for Chievo! Esposito finds Pellissier inside the area, the striker manages to get past Legrottaglie but his right footed shot goes wide.
9 Central defender Mandelli comes close with a nice shot from the edge of the area that took a dangerous deflection, but it's out.
6 OOOOHHH!! First big chance for Juve as Sissoko right-foots the ball just wide on an assist by Molinaro!
5 Marcolini sends a good long ball forward for Pellissier, but he's caught offside.
2 Controversy straight away as Tiago seemed to touch the ball with his hand in the area, and Chievo claimed a penalty.
1 The match has kicked off: Juve have the first touch of the ball.
Goal.com

Real Madrid - Juventus 0-2 Champions Leauge

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:16:19 PST

# 90 +4And that's the final whistle!! Juventus have pulled off a double against Madrid, doing almost precisely what they did in the 2-1 win at Turin... just catching their opponents by surprise. Once again, Los Blancos dominated, created far, far more chances and once again, they have ended up on the losing side. Final score... Real Madrid-0 Juventus-2.
# Substitution 90 +3SubstitutionAlessandro Del PieroPaolo De Ceglie
90 +2Del Piero is withdrawn to a rupturous ovation from the Juve AND Madrid fans! Not many players get that sort of treatment at the Bernabe'u!
90 +1DIARRAAAA... thumps in strong header from Van der vaart's corner but Manniger is up to the task. Three minutes of time will be added on.
90 Drenthe easily powers past three defenders and Sissoko is forced to take him down right on the edge of the box! Van der Vaart tries to curl in the freekick but it bounces off the wall!
88 Van der Vaart tees himself up for a shot but once again, it fails to clear the crowd of legs inside the box! Guti picks up the rebound and tries to thread a through ball to Higuai'n but it's just overhit! That's been Real Madrid's night for the last 88 minutes.
87 DEL PIEROOOO..... INCHES AWAY FROM A HAT-TRICK!!! He squirms away from Diarra' inside the box, turns and belts in a right foot shot but it just trickles agonizingly wide of Casillas' left hand post! And Iker was well beaten too!!
85 Drenthe drills in another tempting cross from the left and it evades everyone bar Higuai'n, who didn't aniticapte the ball to fall to him and he fails to control it with his chest.
# Substitution 83 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
82 Ranieri will counter those changes by bringing in Vicenzo Iaquinta for Amauri. Some fresh legs upfront for the Old Lady for the odd counter attacks.
# Substitution 81 SubstitutionRuud Van NistelrooyRafael Van der Vaart
# Substitution 81 SubstitutionGabriel HeinzeJavier Saviola
80 Saviola and Van der Vaart will be brought on. Desperation substitutions from Schuster. Heinze has been withdrawn and van Nistelrooy will make way.
78 Chiellini charges forward along with Molinaro on the counter but Chiellini, bizarrely, elbows a back-tracking Drenth in the face!! It was a two on one situation and the centreback just gave the foul away! And gets away with it!!
# Yellow Card 78 Yellow CardOlof Mellberg
76 Higuai'n careens past two defenders down to the right byline but his low cross is intercepted by Legrottaglie.
74 Madrid's body language is not encouraging at all. They have dropped their pace and their intensity, almost consigned to defeat. Sergio Ramos goes for a wild half-volley from 25 yards out down the right wing which came nowhere close to goal! A shot out of frustration, you feel.
71 Higuai'n's shot is blocked!! It falls to van Nistelrooy... and his half volley smacks into the crowd of defenders as well! Madrid are claiming handball!
68 HIGUAI'NNNNNN.... LUNGES FORWARD TO CONNECT WITH DRENTHE'S CROSS AT THE BACK POST... but he couldn't direct it on target!
# Goal 67 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
66 DEL PIEROOOOOO.... GOLLLLLLL!!!! He has struck yet again!! He curls in a sumptuous freekick from 25 yards out and Casillas had absolutely no chance! Didn't even move! The wall was horrendously constructed, though. It looked almost like a training freekick!!
# Substitution 65 SubstitutionWesley SneijderGonzalo Gerardo Higuai'n
64 Sneijder does not look happy at all as he stomps his boot on the seat in the dugout! It's not one of his better performances tonight, suffice to say.
63 Schuster has seen enough of this! He has brought on Higuai'n for Sneijder!
61 Sneijder releases van Nistelrooy into the box down the right channel but he is immediately forced onto the byline. And that pretty much sums up Madrid. They have all the possession nothing is happening in the final third!
58 Juventus, as you would expect, have two lines of four at the back and at this stage, Madrid can't get past the first line. They just look absolutely starved of ideas.
56 Cannavaro and Heinze are playing right on the half-way line. Juve are really inviting Madrid forward and that is precisely their game plan. Everything is falling into their hands at the moment.
55 Gonzalo Higuai'n and Rafa van der Vaart are both warming up on the touchline. Surely Bernd Schuster will introduce them if the score remains unchanged.
53 NEDVEDDDD... tries to catch Casillas out of position with a 30 yard drive but he actually miscued his shot and the ball trickles safely all the way to Iker.
52 Rau'l now goes down inside the box from Legrottaglie's challenge!! The centreback just shoved an elbow into the back of his neck from behind as they both went up to meet van Nistelrooy's cross!! The fans are not happy, that much is certain!
# Yellow Card 51 Yellow CardRuud Van Nistelrooy
51 Van Nistelrooy's frustration is spilling over again as he lunges in recklessly on Nedved! And he's protesting his yellow card! He really has to be careful now!
50 RAU'LLLLL... JUST CAN'T CONNECT WITH DRENTHE'S CROSS FROM THE RIGHT! It was just literally milimetres too high for the captain!
48 VAN NISTELROOY GOES DOWN INSIDE THE BOX... but the referee is not the least bit interested! It was Rau'l who took a cheeky throw in and released Ruud into the box but Chiellini just nudged the Dutchman off the ball!
47 DRENTHEEEE.... dances past Mellberg down the left and darts towards the byline before unleashing a piledriver from an almost impossible angle and it smacks into the side netting!
46 We're back for the second half. No changes of personnel from either coaches at the break as Madrid get the restart underway!
45 +2There goes the half-time whistle!! The men in white are whistled back into the dressing room by their own fans, who must be feeling a sense of deja vu! Juve have one shot on target and they lead 1-0... Madrid have to come up with something special after the break!
45 +1DIARRAAAAA.... THUMPS HIS HEADER JUST WIDE!! Great cross into the box by Drenthe but Diarra just could not get any direction on his header! Sergio Ramos was steaming in behind him and PROBABLY would have scored had the cross been left for him!!
44 Mellberg has been injured while making that interception. Juve down to ten as Madrid push forward for an equalizer before the break. Two minutes of time will be added on!
42 GUTI RELEASES DRENTHE CLEAN THROUGH ON GOAL... DRENTHE DARTS INTO THE BOX... DRENTHE TRIES TO SQUARE TO RVN... but Mellberg did superbly to stick with him all the way and slide forward to make the block!!
40 AMAURI ROBS THE BALL OFF HEINZE AND SKIPS INTO THE BOX... but Cannavaro is there to block his shot! The ball falls back for him and he tries to square it to Tiago... but it just evades the Portuguese midfielder!! Let-off for Madrid!
38 Madrid now have SEVEN shots to Juve's one and yet the Bianconeri are the ones who are infront and looking quite comfortable at this stage!
# Yellow Card 36 Yellow CardJose' Mari'a Gutie'rrez Herna'ndez
35 VAN NISTELROOYYYYY.... BLAZES HIS SHOT JUST OVER THE BAR!! Great work by Guti to win the bal lin midfield and play in the through ball. But Ruud didn't have any other real options other than to take the shot on the edge of the box.
# Yellow Card 34 Yellow CardNicola Legrottaglie
32 Now it's Legrottaglie who lunges rashly with a tackle from behind on van Nistelrooy! The challenges have been horrendous tonight! Not sure if that's the instructions from the two coaches in an attempt to rile up the opponents!
# Yellow Card 31 Yellow CardDrenthe
30 Rau'l evades the challenge of Chiellini and tries to slide in a through pass to van Nistelrooy, but it just misses the Dutch hitman! Mellberg tidies up at the back but Drenthe comes flying in with a tackle out of nowhere! Duly yellow carded!
# Yellow Card 28 Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
27 Madrid win a succession of corners but they have not been able to make them count! Schuster is looking increasingly frustrated on the bench.
24 Sneijder looks like he may have picked up a knock. He's limping and signalling to the bench and colliding with Sissoko in a challenge.
22 SERGIO RAMOSSSSS..... MISSES FROM FOUR YARDS OUT!! Sneijder whipped in a cross from the left and Sergio Ramos ghosted in at the far post but his sidefooted volley just flew right over the bar!! What a miss! What a chance to atone himself!!
20 Molinaro drills a low cross right infront of goal and none of the Madrid defence picked that out!! But no one in the gold of Juve was there to tap it it in! Los Blancos living dangerously!
18 SERGIO RAMOSSS.... can't quite keep his header down from a Sneijder freekick! Good work by Legrottaglie to hassle him in the air!
# Goal 17 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
16 DEL PIEROOOOOOO.... GOL!!!!! GOL GOL GOL!!!!! An almost identical goal to the one he scored two weeks ago!! Guti gave the ball away with a stray pass, Del Piero picks it up runs and runs and runs forward unchallenged, ane he just curls it into the bottom right corner! Madrid caught out AGAIN!!
14 Argentina's new coach Diego Maradona is watching on from the stands, smartly dressed. Not sure who he supports here. Both teams were direct rivals of his club during his playing days.
12 Amauri runs into the space on the left... he cuts into the box but Cannavaro is there immediately to rob the ball off him cleanly! Great tackle by Canna and he will be well fired up for this clash!
10 SNEIJDERRRR.... CURLS IN A SHOT FROM THE RIGHT AND MANNIGER PALMS IT OUT!! Rau'l may have gotten the slightest of touches to it but from the corner, Tiago makes contact with the ball with his hand as he challenged Heinze in the air but the referee waves play on!!
8 Marcelo dinks in a lovely ball over the Juve defence into the box and Rau'l brings it down expertly but Chiellini cuts across quickly to thump the ball out for a corner.
6 GUTIIIII.... slices a right foot shot straight at Manniger! His initial attempt just outside the box with his preferred left foot is block, but the ball fell back to him on his right but never quite had any purchase on it to really trouble Manniger!
4 It's not the same kind of intense start as we saw in the first leg. Juve have pulled every single player behind the half-way line. And they are not afraid to launch a few stinging tackles to stop Madrid from playing their normal game.
3 Guti tries to release Drenthe down the left but the young Dutchman fails to control the pass as it runs out of play at the byline.
2 Drenthe gets an early touch of the ball... picking it up on the left and drilling it across to the other side of the flank looking for van Nistelrooy but he has misplaced his cross.
1 Referee this evening is Pieter Vink from Holland and he signals for Juventus to kick-off!! We are underway!
0 Bernd Schuster will start with Gabriel Heinze at centreback alongside Fabio Cannavaro after Pepe failed to recover from a bruised thigh. Mahamadou Diarra`, however, is fit enough to start in midfield alongside Guti and Wesley Sneijder. But the big news is that Arjen Robben has suffered a late injury and his place has been taken over by Royston Drenthe, who will form the attacking trident with Rau'l and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
0 Claudio Ranieri is still without Gigi Buffon, David Tre'ze'guet, Christian Poulsen, Zdenek Grygera and Claudio Marchisio, but Mauro Camoranesi is back from injury, although he will only start from the bench. Tiago will line-up alongside Mohamed Sissoko to form the double pivot with the dynamic duo of Alessandro Del Piero and Amauri leading the frontline.
Goal.com

Juventus - Roma 2 - 0

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:28:48 PST

# 90 +3The referee blows his whistle to end the match as Juventus run out as deserved 2-0 winners over a lackluster Roma side that are in big trouble right now.
90 The fourth official signals there will be three minutes of extra time.
88 The home supporters start to sing their heroes some praises after a solid effort against Roma this evening.
86 Juventus have ten men behind the ball and invite Roma to push men forward.
84 Spalletti makes for a forlorn figure on the Roma touchline as he tries to figure out a way to drag his team out of their dip in form.
82 Del Piero tries to spring Marchionni free but Juan makes a vital challenge.
80 Vucinic is caught offside as he tries to slip past the Juventus defence. Roma are in big trouble as they look set to drop their fourth successive domestic match.
# Substitution 80 SubstitutionPavel NedvedPaolo De Ceglie
78 Time is running out for the Giallorossi if they harbour any hopes of taking anything out of this match.
76 Iaquinta is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Roma defence.
# Substitution 76 SubstitutionZdenek GrygeraOlof Mellberg
# Substitution 74 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
74 Ranieri makes his first substitution of the match bringing on Iaquinta on for Amauri who receives a warm round of applause as he leaves the field.
72 Tiago looks for Amauri but the big striker is muscled off the ball by Juan who is having a miserable evening.
# Substitution 71 SubstitutionDavid Marcelo Pizarro CortezChuka Stefano Okaka
70 Menez is taken down by Grygera but the referee waves for the play to continue. Nothing is going right for the Giallorossi tonight!!
68 OH!!!!!!!! Doni seems to have Amauri's number tonight as he makes another good save on the Juventus striker!!!
66 Sissoko takes Baptista down and concedes a free kick. Cicinho stands over the ball and his delivery falls to Juan at the back post and he plays the ball back across the face of goal but Amauri makes a good clearance.
64 Pizarro tries to find Vucinic on the left flank but his pass is poor and runs out of play. Menez wins his side a corner kick as Roma look to claw a goal back.
62 Tiago finds Nedved who runs at Cicinho and wins his side a corner kick. Del Piero's ensuing delivery is headed away by Riise.
60 Roma have their heads down at the moment and this match could get really ugly if they are not careful.
58 The disappointing Panucci trots off the field as Cicinho takes his place. Vucinic sends a delicious cross into the penalty area that De Rossi just fails to meet.
# Substitution 57 SubstitutionChristian PanucciCicero Joa~o De Cesare 'Cicinho'
56 Juan concedes a corner kick and this time Del Piero's delivery is headed away by Baptista.
54 Del Piero wins his side another corner and his delivery is met by Amauri but his header fails to trouble Doni.
52 Sissoko finds Marchionni who flicks it on for Del Piero but Juan makes a vital tackle!!!
50 It's all Juventus right now as they win a corner kick but the ensuing delivery is poor and comes to nothing.
48 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!! Del Piero finds Marchionni who slips past Risse and lifts the ball over Doni who was forced off his line!!!!!!
# Goal 48 GoalMarco Marchionni
# Substitution 47 SubstitutionRodrigo Ferrante TaddeiJe're'my Menez
47 OH!!!!!! Amauri almost brings the crowd to its feet with an acrobatic overhead kick that Doni parries away!!!!
46 All three points are still up for grabs as the second half gets underway in Turin.
45 The referee blows his whistle to end the first half with Juventus taking a 1-0 lead into the interval courtesy of a Del Piero stunner!!
44 Marchionni finds Del Piero on the right flank but he is quickly surrounded and loses possession.
42 Juventus push forward looking for another goal before the halftime break but De Rossi makes another great sliding tackle!!!
40 OH!!!!!!!!! Molinaro finds Del Piero who sends in a first time shot that hits the side netting!!!! Half of the stadium though the ball went into the net!!!
38 De Rossi fouls Chiellini and concedes a free kick. The Olimpico holds its breath as Del Piero stands over the ball.....GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!! Del Piero sends his curling effort past a diving Doni and into the top corner!!!! A stunning strike from the Juventus captain!!!
# Goal 38 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
35 Sissoko tries his luck from 25 yards but his shot fails to trouble Doni. Still no breakthrough in Turin.
33 Taddei hacks down Nedved and is lucky to escape a booking. OH!!!!!!!! Chiellini rises to meet a Del Piero cross and sends in a powerful header that Doni palms away!!!!!
31 Taddei is taken down in the area by Legrottaglie but the referee waves away his protests!!! The Juventus defender just got a slight touch on the ball before he took the Brazilian down!
29 Baptista is called for a foul for leaning on Tiago in the penalty area. Del Piero dials up a long distance effort that fails to find the target.
27 Taddei spots Vucinic at the far post but his cross is too close to Manninger who makes a comfortable catch.
25 Amauri slips past Mexes and is about to cut the ball back to Del Piero but De Rossi makes a fantastic sliding clearance!!!
23 OH!!!! It's all Roma now as Baptista rises to meet Taddei's cross but sends his free header over the crossbar!! That was a real chance!!
21 OH!!!!!!!!!! Chiellini almost sends the ball into his own net as his attempted sliding clearance comes back off the post!!!! Roma come close to opening the scoring!!!
19 Nedved dials up a long distance effort that rolls past the post. Taddei sends in a cross looking for De Rossi but it's over-hit and runs out of play.
17 Perrotta pushes forward and finds Taddei but his cross is blocked by Molinaro. Roma are growing in confidence with every passing minute after a shaky start.
15 OH!!!! De Rossi sends in a cross that Taddei meets but his powerful header sails high over the crossbar!!!
# Yellow Card 14 Yellow CardChristian Panucci
13 Baptista plays a lovely backheel to Taddei who tries to play it square to Vucinic but Grygera makes a vital tackle!!!!!
11 Nedved sprints past De Rossi and sends in a cross that Riise chests back to his goalkeeper. Grygera pushes forward but his cross is poor and runs out of play.
9 Pizarro blocks Tiago's shot with his arm and is shown a yellow card for his foolish act. Del Piero stands over the ball and sends his shot straight into the wall.
7 De Rossi receives the ball and sends a wayward pass that sails out of play much to the delight of the Bianconeri faithful. Taddei is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Juventus defence.
# Yellow Card 7 Yellow CardDavid Marcelo Pizarro Cortez
5 Pizarro plays a dangerous ball through his own penalty area and is lucky that the ball didn't fall onto the foot of Amauri.
3 Marchionni receives the ball on the left flank and sends a cross into the penalty area that Juan heads away. The crowd are in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere.
1 We are underway in Turin as Ranieri starts Del Piero and Amauri upfront while Spalletti counters with Baptista and Vucinic.
Goal.com

Bologna -Juventus1 - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:24:40 PST

# 90 +5The ref looks at his watch..............Game Over!!! Juventus win 2-1 and take home three valuable points against the Rossoblu thanks to a double strike by Nedved.
90 +4Throw in to Juve as they try and run the clock down. Camoranesi and Nedved are keeping good possession on the wing....Carrus wins it for Bologna.....the move comes to nothing.
90 +2Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh great run by Iaquinta but his cross is cleared..........Bologna break, it's dangerous, Di Vaio shoots.........Ohhhhhhhhhhhh great save by Manninger again. Superb from the big Austrian.
90 The Rossoblu keep banging at the door but Manninger saves Juve's blushes as he races to smother on Di Vaio.
90 The fourth official has indicated a minimum of four minutes of injury time.
# Substitution 89 SubstitutionLuigi LavecchiaMarco Bernacci
88 Great challenge on Di Vaio from Knezevic as he saves the day for Juventus. It's a nervy few minutes for Juve.
87 Into the final few minutes as Bologna continue to search for an equalizer but Juventus are just about coping as Marazzina heads over.
85 Ohhhhhhhhh great save by Antonioli on Marchionni. The midfielder tries his luck from distance but the ball is punched away.
84 Camoranesi is about to come into the game for the first time since his injury against Zenit St.Petersburg in the Champions League back in September.
# Substitution 84 SubstitutionTiagoMauro German Camoranesi
82 The game has slowed down a little but Bologna continue to press as the game nears it's end.
80 Great clearance by Chiellini on Marazzina as Juventus break......Nedved feeds Iaquinta..............Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! It should have been 3-1 to Juventus. Iaquinta was unlucky as he beat two defenders but fired wide from inside the box.
78 Free Kick for Juventus. Carrus hacks Giovinco and gives away the set piece from close range. Giovinco and Tiago step up....The Italian takes it but it's one to forget quickly as it goes over the crossbar.
# Yellow Card 78 Yellow CardDavide Carrus
76 Juventus are living dangerously. The Bologna goal has breathed new life into the Emiliani as they press Juventus.
75 Bologna are back in the game and it's beginning to show.......Goooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllll Marazzina................No!!! It's offside. Good decision by the linesman. The striker was off.
# Goal 74 GoalMarco Di Vaio
73 Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!! Bologna cut the deficit via Di Vaio. The ball came in from the right and the former Juventus man taps it in from close range. The Juventus defence were static.
71 Ohhhhhhhhh!!! Tiago almost scores but in his own goal though as he makes a has of clearing from Lavecchia.....Juventus escape thanks to Manninger.
69 Amauri makes way for Giovinco as Ranieri gives his star striker a rest ahead of the big game against Roma this weekend.
# Substitution 69 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriSebastian Giovinco
# Substitution 67 SubstitutionNicola MingazziniDavide Carrus
67 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Tiago fires wide. It was a great chance for the midfielder as the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box but it wasn't accurate enough.
65 Bologna are looking a little more dangerous as they throw everyone forward but Juve are coping well.
64 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Amauri should have added a third. Great break by Juventus. The Brazilian was all free as he raced towards goal but he scuffed his shot and Antonioli had no trouble in dealing with it.
63 Ekdal fouls Lavecchia and gives away the free kick...Bologna push forward as they attempt to grab one back.... Mingazzini crosses but Knezevic gets their first and clears.
# Yellow Card 63 Yellow CardGaby Mudingayi
61 Bologna have lost belief following Juve's second. They cannot find a way through a well organized Bianconeri side.
60 Ranieri introduces Ekdal for Sissoko. The Mali international has been taken off as a precaution following the knock he picked up a few minutes ago. Juventus still in control.
# Substitution 60 SubstitutionMohamed lamine SissokoAlbin Ekdal
59 Ohhhhhhhhhh! Amauri shows great initiative as he goes in it alone but the Rossoblu defence clear their lines.
# Yellow Card 58 Yellow CardDavide Marchini
57 Juventus in firm control here at the Dall'Ara. Bologna have it all to do now. Daniele Arrigoni is looking increasingly anxious down on the bench.
# Goal 56 GoalPavel Nedved
55 The game restarts following the foul on Sissoko and Manninger launches it forward...............GOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
55 Nedved doubles the money for Juventus.....It's a bizarre goal as his cross along the ground goes in at Antonioli's near post. It's a shocker for the goalkeeper.
53 Bologna have settled down following a shaky few minutes as they move the ball around well. Sissoko goes down following Zenoni's challenge...it looks serious as he receives treatment......However, the Mali international gets back up...he looks good to continue.
52 Lavecchia crosses for Marazzina but it's too deep and Manninger gathers nicely.
51 Juve continue to dominate as they win a corner but the home side clear their lines.
50 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Great work by Nedved who crosses for Amauri but the Brazilian's header comes back off the post....Molinaro blasts over on the rebound.
49 Juventus continue to press but Molinaro needs to be a little careful as he enters with both feet on Moras...lucky he doesn't get booked.
47 Bologna are having difficulty at the back as Juventus continue to press..........Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh great cross by Tiago....it beats everyone in the box. Surprisingly neither Amauri or Iaquinta went for it.
46 Juventus get the second half back underway and attack with Chiellini. Sissoko receives the ball and feeds it to Amauri but his effort is charged down.
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionCristian ZenoniDavide Marchini
46 The Bianconeri have enjoyed most of the possession and chances as they dominate the game.
45 +1The referee blows his whistle and sends both teams into the break for a rest. Juventus in control at the Dall'Ara as they take a 1-0 lead into half time.
45 Bologna waste their corner as the referee looks at his watch.
44 Approaching the final minute as the fourth official shows the injury time board. An extra minute will be added on as Bologna win the corner.
42 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Marazzini tries the spectacular overhead but pays the price for taking the risk as his effort goes well wide. Lavecchia did brilliantly to feed him the pass from the right.
40 Five minutes remain until the end of the first half. Juve are in firm control. Can Bologna grab an equalizer Doesn't look like it as Bombardini fires wide.
38 Great chance for Juve as Nedved crosses for Amauri but he gets mixed up with Iaquinta and it ends up being an easy catch for Antonioli.
36 Bombardini tries to feed Marazzina who beats the offside trap but Mellberg clears for the Old Lady.
34 The game has slowed down again with neither side creating much chances. Juventus are clearly the stronger side. Bologna haven't really threatened.
32 Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! should have been 2-0 to Juventus. Tiago, yes, Tiago played a great ball for Marchionni who ran in behind the defnce but he just failed to connect properly....unlucky for the Old Lady.
31 Mudingayi fouls Knezevic, Free Kick Juve.... Nedved goes for glory but it's ambitious and the ball goes over.
29 Corner for Juventus as Amauri is closed down by Moras. Nedved plays it short to Tiago who decides to shoot but it's woeful as the ball ends up high and wide of Antonioli's goal.
27 Bologna are enjoying a good spell of possession as they try and find a way back into the game. Juventus have taken their foot off the pedal. The home side are looking dangerous.
25 Bologna come forward......Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.....appeals for a penalty as the crowd go wild but it's waved away. Chiellini won the ball fairly from Di Vaio in the box.
23 Tiago goes into the book for a silly challenge on Moras. The midfielder was late and dangerous.
# Yellow Card 23 Yellow CardCristian Molinaro
22 Marazzini is flagged for offside as the Juventus defence play a risky high line. Bianconeri on the attack but Marchionni's throughball comes to nothing.
21 The match is beginning to become scrappy as a number of needless fouls are being given away. Juventus are in the driving seat as they dictate the play.
20 The game is stopped while Mingazzini receives treatment after taking an elbow by Nedved. The midfielder is lucky to get away with it.
8 Free Kick Juventus. Nedved is floored by Mingazzini...the Czech star lays it off to Iaquinta but it's charged down.
7 Ohhhh..Marazzina tries his luck from distance but it's charged down by Chiellini. Juve escape and come forward.
6 Third corner for Juventus. Nedved floats the cross over but Mellberg fails to control the ball at the far post and it goes out for a goal kick.
5 Juventus are playing well and any early nerves have been erased after taking the lead. Claudio Ranieri's side are playing better on all fronts with Bologna struggling to create any chance worthy of mention.
3 The Bianconeri have taken a deserved lead through Nedved. The shot left Antonioli with no chance. Bologna try to respond with Di Vaio but Juve are firm at the back.
# Goal 12 GoalPavel Nedved
1 GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! NEDVED fires Juventus in front. The midfielder cut in from the right, beat Lavecchia on the edge of the box and smashed it hard, low and to Antonioli's left.
0 The game has slowed down a little with neither side creating any particular chances. Nedved plays it for Sissoko who plays it back as Juve work the ball....
8 Juve are pressing Bologna hard now as they keep banging on the door. The Bianconeri are finding it easy down the right as they cross for the big men but the Rossoblu are defending well.
6 Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Bologna show themselves and Di Vaio almost gives his side the lead with a great strike but it's just wide.
5 Juve up the ante as the cross comes in from Tiago but Bologna clear for the second corner of the game...However, it's easy for Antonioli.
4 Juventus still in possession as they move the ball around well. Cross comes in from Molinaro but it's too hard and the ball goes out of play.
3 Both teams are finding their feet as Iaquinta wins a corner for Juventus...Nedved plays it short, cross comes in but it's cleared...Juve try again.
Bologna get the game underway in their traditional red and blue stripe kit while Juventus are wearing their all gold away strip.
The homeside start brightly and come forward with their first attack but Lavecchia is flagged for offside.
Goal.com

Juventus-Torino 1-0

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:21:13 PST

# 90 +4Rocchi blows his whistle to end the match as Juventus win the latest edition of the Derby della Mole with a hard fought 1-0 victory.
90 +2Juventus have ten men behind the ball as they hold onto to their slim one goal lead.
90 The fourth official indicates that there will be four minutes of extra time. Where is the Torino fightback
88 Del Piero is taken down once again and Juventus will be in no hurry to take the free kick. Zanetti concedes a corner kick as some more precious time ticks off the clock.
86 Giovinco turns on the afterburners and Zanetti is forced to take him down. OH!!!! Diani heads the ball across the face of goal but nobody is there to tap the ball in the net!!!
# Yellow Card 85 Yellow CardPaolo Zanetti
84 OUCH!!!!! Manninger scampers off his line and Ventola goes straight through him and is lucky to escape a booking!!
82 Torino can hardly get a touch on the ball as Juventus win a corner kick. Giovinco plays it short to Del Piero who finds Nedved but his first touch is too heavy and the chance is wasted.
# Substitution 82 SubstitutionAlessandro RosinaNicola Ventola
# Substitution 81 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
80 OH!!!!!!!! Abbruscato flicks the ball across the face of goal but it's just out of Zanetti's reach!!!
78 Abbruscato wins his side a corner kick and Rosina's delivery falls to Di Loreto but his shot takes a deflection and sails over the crossbar.
76 Amauri does well to fend off two defenders but fails to win a corner kick which was his intended purpose. It's all Juventus at the moment as Torino look dazed and confused.
74 Di Loreto is shown a yellow card after taking Del Piero down from behind. Mellberg is embarrassingly called for a foul throw as Juventus push forward looking to put the match to bed.
# Yellow Card 74 Yellow CardMarco Di Loreto
72 Time is starting to become a concern for Torino as they search desperately for the equaliser. Abate finds Amoroso in the penalty area but his first touch is poor and the chance is wasted.
70 Giovinco tugs on Abate's shirt and receives a yellow card for his troubles. The intensity picks up once more as Di Loreto takes Amauri's legs from underneath him.
# Substitution 70 SubstitutionRolando BianchiNicola Amoruso
# Yellow Card 68 Yellow CardSebastian Giovinco
68 Rosina finds Diana who sprints up the left flank but Sissoko makes a good sliding to challenge to break up the attack.
66 Molinaro tries an audacious long range effort that sails high over the crossbar. That was a poor effort from the defender!!
64 Ranieri rolls the dice bringing on Giovinco for De Ceglie. Amauri wins his side a free kick as he looks for his second goal of the match.
62 De Ceglie finds Nedved but his pass looking for Amauri runs straight into the waiting arms of Calderoni. Torino are enjoying a good spell but have failed to test Manninger.
# Substitution 62 SubstitutionPaolo De CeglieSebastian Giovinco
60 Rosina plays the ball onto his left foot and unleashes a shot that Legrottaglie blocks. Abate chips the ball into the area looking for Rosina but the diminutive midfielder cannot control the ball.
58 De Biasi makes his first substitution of the match as Abbruscato trots onto the pitch for the ineffective Rubin.
56 Rubin latches onto a loose ball and unleashes a shot that Legrottaglie blocks. The ensuing corner is taken by Rosina but his delivery is poor and comes to nothing.
# Substitution 56 SubstitutionMatteo RubinElvis Abbruscato
54 De Ceglie strips Diana of the ball but his long pass looking for Amauri is out of the big man's reach.
52 Torino push forward looking for a quick fire equaliser but Abate cannot push the ball past Mellberg. Molinaro holds off Diana who clutches his face in agony once more.
50 Torino win a free kick and Rosina's curling delivery just needed a slight touch for Torino to tie up the match!!
48 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Amauri opens the scoring after skipping past Di Loreto and unleashing a low drive that squeezes past Calderoni!!!!!
# Goal 47 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionZdenek GrygeraOlof Mellberg
46 All three points are still very much up for grabs as Rocchi gets the second half underway. Ranieri makes the first change of the match as Mellberg comes on for Grygera who is nursing a muscular injury.
45 Rocchi blows his whistle to end the first half festivities in a tough tackling, scoreless affair in Turin.
43 Barrone plays a first time cross into the penalty area but Legrottaglie is the first to meet the ball and clears the danger.
41 Zanetti receives the ball in his own territory but his wayward pass intended for Abate sails out of play. Torino don't look comfortable at the moment.
39 Torino win a corner kick and Rosina plays it short for Diana who cannot get his cross into the penalty area.
37 Nedved looks like he has shaken off his knee injury as he cuts inside and unleashes a shot that sails high over the crossbar.
35 OUCH!!!! Barrone takes Del Piero down and is shown a yellow card for that cynical sliding challenge. Things are getting heated out on the pitch at the moment. Nedved trots back onto the field and receives a warm round of applause.
33 Nedved is still down and there are concerns that he may not be able to continue. OH!!!!! Manninger comes off his line but Bianchi beats him to the ball and sends his shot wide of the target!!
# Yellow Card 33 Yellow CardSimone Barone
31 OH!!!!! Rosina sends a cross into the area that Manninger fumbles but Chiellini clears the danger. Diana is shown a yellow card as he introduces his studs to Nedved's knee.
# Injury 30 InjuryPavel Nedved
29 Play is halted as Diana is down clutching his face and needs some treatment from the medical staff. It looks as if he will be able to continue.
27 Sissoko wins his side a free kick in a very promising position. The crowd hold their breath as Del Piero stands over the ball.... His curling delivery is easily saved by Calderoni who looks sharp so far tonight.
25 Molinaro wins his side a corner kick and Nedved's delivery is met by Chiellini who sends his weak header wide of the mark.
23 OH!!!!!!!!! Calderoni pulls off a spectacular double save as parries away Marchionni's bullet half volley and then foils him again on the rebound!!!!
21 Rosina steps over the ball and finds Pisano streaking up the left flank but his cross intended for Bianchi is over-hit and runs out of play.
19 Sissoko receives the first yellow card of the match as he goes diving into Zanetti and fails to get a piece of the ball.
# Yellow Card 18 Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
17 Torino are giving the ball away very cheaply so far tonight but Juventus have failed to make them pay the price for their miscues.
15 Bianchi is caught offside as he tries to slip past the Juventus back four. Barrone fouls Nedved as the tackles continue to fly in fast and furious.
13 Both sets of supporters are in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere as Sissoko's shot from 25 yards fails to trouble Calderoni.
11 OH!!!!! Nedved lays the ball off for Sissoko whose long range effort is tipped over the crossbar by Calderoni!!! Juventus go close in the early going!!
9 Rosina's first touch lets him down as tries to push the ball past Chiellini. It's been a tough tackling affair in the early going with no love lost between either team.
7 OH!!!!!! Sissoko's volley from 20 yards whizzes past the post after Natali's poor clearance!! OUCH!!!! Chiellini is lucky to escape a booking as he takes Rosina down from behind!
5 Zanetti burst forward and finds Bianchi but his wayward pass intended for Rosina is intercepted by Chiellin who clears the danger. Amauri is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Torino defence.
3 It is a sold out affair tonight as you would expect for a match of this magnitude. Rosina dials up a long distance effort that fails to find the target.
1 Rocchi gets the match underway with Ranieri starting Del Piero and Amauri upfront while De Biasi counters with Rosina and Bianchi.
Goal.com

Juventus-Real Madrid 2-1 Champions Leauge

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:58:41 PST

# 90 +3There's the final whistle!! Juventus hang on for their first win in six successive games as Cannavaro and Del Piero embrace on the pitch. Real Madrid's 46 year winless run in Turin continues despite their best efforts to claw their way back from two goals down. Final score... Juventus-2 Real Madrid-1. Stay logged on to Goal.com for the full report, player ratings and all the reactions.
90 +1Sneijder will swing it in again... but it fails to clear the wall! It falls to ROBBENNNN.... who pummels in the rebound but it's well wide!
90 Three minutes of injury time will be added on. Madrid continue to push forward for an equalizer. They have a freekick on the left channel from 35 yards out.
88 Drenthe chests down Gago's long ball expertly but instead of running into the box, he hits a hasty cross into the box and there was no one near in a white shirt near the ball!
86 Sneijder curls in another dangerous freekick from the left... the ball bobbles off the head of Nedved before bouncing off Sergio Ramos and out for a goalkick.
84 Robben continues to threaten with his mazy runs towards the Juve box but it's the final killer pass that's missing. The Italians are holding firm at the back at the moment.
82 Salihamidzic attempts a few step-overs to bamboozle Sergio Ramos but the Madrid rightback is not having any of it. He robs the ball cleanly off the Bosnian winger inside the box... although the fans didn't think so.
80 Robben takes on Sissoko and Molinaro... he squares the ball to the centre with a clever pass between the two defenders but Mellberg was tehre to clear the danger.
78 Ranieri will introduce Iaquinta for Amauri to injnect some fresh legs in attack. That will come in handy on the counter as they look to kill off this contest.
# Substitution 77 SubstitutionCarvalho de Oliveira AmauriVincenzo Iaquinta
# Substitution 76 SubstitutionRafael Van der VaartDrenthe
76 Schuster does indeed send in Drenthe for a tiring Van der Vaart. More speed and width for the Spaniards to work with.
74 Royston Drenthe looks ready to enter the fray for Madrid, while Giovinco continues to warm up for Juve.
72 NEDVEDDD.... CHARGES IN LIKE A TRAIN TO LATCH ON TO A LOOSE BALL... but his blistering effort is blocked by a crowd of defenders and Casillas again gathers it easily.
70 RAU'LLLLL... just couldn't quite make a clean connection with Robben's teasing low cross from the right! Robben has made a huge impact since coming on.
68 DEL PIERO WITH A FREEKICK... but he drills it low under the wall and Casillas gathers it comfortably.
67 Juve respond straight away as Amauri just streaks past Cannavaro but his dipping cross just evades Del Piero, although Sergio Ramos still had to be very alert to clear the danger right infront of his own goal.
# Goal 67 GoalRuud Van Nistelrooy
66 VAN NISTELROOYYYYY.... PULLS ONE BACK FOR MADRID!! Heinze's perfect delivery from the left found Supervan, who was completely unmarked inside the box and he simply coulud not miss from there with a simple header!
64 IT'S VAN DER VAART WHO TAKES IT... HE CURLS IT OVER THE WALL... but Manniger fists it out!
62 Chiellini charges Pepe down right outside the Juve box... right down the middle. Freekick in a dangerous position for Madrid. Sneijder looks like he will take it...
60 SNEIJDER AGAINNNN.... OFF THE FOOT OF THE POST!! Almost an identical shot from his earlier attempt, just checking into the middle onto his right foot! Madrid getting closer and closer you feel!
59 SNEIJDERRR.... CUTS IN TO THE MIDDLE AND UNLEASHES A BELTER FROM 25 YARDS OUT... but Manniger was alert to the danger as he dives to his right to push it out!!
57 SNEIJDER CURLS IN A TEMPTING FREEKICK FROM THE LEFT.... and it just evades Sergio Ramos and Rau'l at the back post!!
55 VAN DER VAAAARTTT.... THUMPS A FREE HEADER JUST WIDE!! It was Sneijder who provided the pini-point cross and VDV just ghosted in behind the defence... but he couldn't quite direct in on target!
# Substitution 54 SubstitutionGonzalo Gerardo Higuai'nArjen Robben
52 Van der Vaart thumps in yet another hopeful effort from distance and it sails harmlessly over the bar. Schuster has seen enough of this as he sends in Robben for Higuai'n.
# Yellow Card 50 Yellow CardCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
50 Van der Vaart looks a bit winded after he clattered into the brick wall that is Sissoko. But he's back on his feet on the pitch and he looks alright.
# Goal 49 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
48 AMAURIIIII.... MAKES IT 2-0!!! Nedved floated in a cross from the left all the way to the far post and Amauri, unmarked, jumps high to connect with a header and it takes a wicked deflection off Heinze's boot and into the back of the net!!
47 Heinze floats in a cross from the left but Chiellini just hops up effortlessly to head the ball out... but only to Van der Vaart who blasts in a half volley but it's blocked by Mellberg!
46 We're back for the second half. Ranieri has made a change as he brings on Mellberg for Legrottaglie, who could very well have injured himself in the first period. Real Madrid, however, have not made any substitutions but they get the restart underway!
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionNicola LegrottaglieOlof Mellberg
45 +2The halftime whistle goes! Ranieri's men did exactly what they wanted to go, which was to score the early goal and then sit back and pile up the numbers at the back. Madrid desperately need an injection of spark and pace in the second period and Schuster will no doubt be pondering some changes. Juve lead 1-0 at the break.
45 +1Pepe is forced to be alert to clear a late Del Piero freekick from the left channel. And that should be the last action of the first period.
44 Two minutes of time will be added on. Los Merengues will be glad to see the back of this first half as they have struggled to create anything.
41 Madrid continue to hover just outside the Juve area. Sergio Ramos swings in another useful cross from the right for Rau'l but the captain just lost his balance as he tried to bring down the ball.
38 Sergio Ramos knocks a long ball into the Juve box, but the Bianconeri backfour, lined astern, steps up with perfect coreography to play Van Nistelrooy and Higuai'n offside. Brilliant piece of defending from the Italians.
# Substitution 38 SubstitutionClaudio MarchisioHasan Salihamidzic
36 Salihamidzic does come on to replace young Marchisio. Ranieri will have to reshuffle his pack slightly and this might be the break Madrid have been looking for, especially if the substitute takes a while to get up to speed.
34 Marchisio has taken a huge knock to his knee after colliding with Sissoko as they tried to rob the ball off Sneijder. The stretcher is out for him and he looks unlikely to continue. Salihamidzic is warming up feverishly at the touchline.
# Injury 34 InjuryClaudio Marchisio
32 To their credit, Schuster's men are slowly creeping closer and closer to the Juve goal. It's just a matter of finding that killer through pass into the box. But they are dealing with the experts of defending.
30 SERGIO RAMOSSSS.... CHESTS DOWN GAGO'S LONG BALL RIGHT INFRONT OF GOAL... but he couldn't quite control it and Manniger rushes out to collect the looping ball.
28 The Spaniards are looking very lethargic. There's just no bounce or spirit in their step with or without the ball.
26 Grygera gallops down the left and curls in a lovely cross back into the centre for Amauri but the Brazilian crashes a bullet header well wide! He went for all power and no direction!
24 Sneijder nails a very speculative shot from all of 35 yards out and it flies harmlessly into the stands! That pretty much sums up Madrid's lack of creativity in midfield at the moment.
22 Amauri leads a breakaway and Sergio Ramos is forced to cut across and take down the Brazilian. But the referee only issues a verbal warning.
20 VAN DER VART AGAINNN... SKIMS HIS SHOT WIDE THIS TIME!! Great interchange of play between Rau'l and Higuai'n to set up the Dutchman but he just sliced his effort slightly with his right foot from the edge of the box.
18 VAN DER VAAART... TURNS AND SHOOT... but there's not enough power and direction to really trouble Manniger. Los Blancos are struggling for attacking ideas at the moment.
16 Van Nistelrooy drills in a low cross from the left into the box, looking for Higuai'n and Rau'l but Chiellini did well to intercept and clear it out for a corner. Nothing comes off it, though.
13 The pace of the game has died down a little after a breathless opening. Juve are just drawing men back slightly allowing Madrid to build up their attacks slowly from midfield.
11 There are surprisingly quite a few empty seats here at the Olimpico. But those who are present, less surprisingly, whistles Cannavaro everytime he touches the ball.
9 VAN DER VAAAAAART.... UNLEASHES A 30 YARD SCREAMER AND IT JUST WHISTLES THE TOP OF THE BAR!! First shot at goal... first shot of any kind, as a matter of fact, for the visiitors.
7 Madrid just cannot get hold of any meaningful possession as they are hassled off the ball as soon as they have them. Van Nistelrooy takes a tumble inside the box as he tries to connect with Heinze's long cross but there's no sign of a penalty.
5 DEL PIEROOOOOO.... GOLLLLL!!!! What an absolute stunning strike from the captain!! He picks up the ball from 20 yards out, looks up and hammers in a piledriver right into the top left corner and Casillas was left rooted to the ground!! What a perfect start for the Bianconeri!!
# Goal 5 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
3 Sissoko robs the ball off Sneijder and steams forward... the ball escapes him right outside the ball but it falls to Marchionni, who whips it in a first time cross but it is disappointing!
2 Amauri gets in the first attempt at goal, latching on to a long throw from Grygera to thump in a header but it sails directly into Casillas' path, who is untroubled with his save.
1 A minute silence will be observed prior to kick off for two Bianconeri fans who were killed while travelling to the stadium just hours ago.
1 Referee this evening is Wolfgang Stark from Germany and he signals for Juve to get this epic battle underway!!
0 Juve have a mountain of injury issues to contend with. They have as many as nine key players sidelined, including Buffon, Camoranesi, Poulsen and Tre'ze'guet, just to name but four. Iaquinta, Mellberg and Legrottaglie, however, are back with the former two starting from the bench and the latter beginning alongside Chiellini in defence. Amauri will spearhead the frontline and assisted by Del Piero, with Nedved and Marchionni providing further support from midfield.
0 Los Blancos' only two key players out are Diarra` and Guti. Robben has returned from injury but will only start from the bench. He will be accompanied there by De la Red, who makes way for Van der Vaart in midfield in the starting line-up. Cannavaro will start alongside Pepe at centreback and he will go head to head with good friend, Del Piero, while at the other end of the pitch, the usual trio of Higuai'n, Rau'l and Van Nistelrooy will lead the attack.
Goal.com

Napoli-Juventus 2-1

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:17:42 PST

# 90 +3Saccani blows his whistle as the Stadio San Paolo explodes in ecstasy as Napoli come back from a goal down to defeat Juventus 2-1.
90 +2Nedved's ball for Giovinco runs out of play and it looks like they are going to blow another lead. Is this Ranieri's last match as the Juventus manager
90 +1Marchisio gives the ball away cheaply but works hard to win it back but time is running out for the Bianconeri.
89 Aronica concedes a free kick deep in his own territory as Giovinco stands over the ball. OH!!!!! Chiellini rises to meet Giovinco's delivery and sends his header wide of the mark!!!
87 Ranieri's decision to take off Del Piero in favour of De Ceglie has really come back to haunt him as they look to salvage the draw.
85 Grygera takes down Mannini on the edge of the penalty area and is shown a yellow card for his troubles. Lavezzi stands over the ball but his delivery is poor and the chance is wasted.
# Yellow Card 84 Yellow CardZdenek Grygera
83 Ranieri makes his final substitution of the match bringing on Giovinco to try and salvage a draw. OH!!!! Hamsik volleys a shot over the crossbar!!!
# Substitution 82 SubstitutionCristian MolinaroSebastian Giovinco
81 The crowd are on their feet now as their hometown heroes have fought back to take the lead!!!
# Yellow Card 80 Yellow CardEzequiel Iva'n Lavezzi
# Goal 79 GoalEzequiel Iva'n Lavezzi
79 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Knezevic's intended clearance bounces to Lavezzi who beats Manninger from 10 yards away!!!!!! Napoli take the lead!!!
76 Maggio rises to meet a Lavezzi cross but his header sails over the crossbar. The pace of the match has slowed down as neither team wants to make a mistake in the last fifteen minutes.
74 Amauri chests the ball down for Nedved but Aronic steps in his path and breaks the play up.
# Substitution 74 SubstitutionChristian PoulsenAlbin Ekdal
72 Blasi is making a nuisance of himself on the right flank as he manages to send in a low cross that Knezevic clears out.
70 Ranieri brings on De Ceglie for Del Piero. He took off a forward in favour of a left back. That is a very curious change by Ranieri.
# Substitution 70 SubstitutionAlessandro Del PieroPaolo De Ceglie
# Substitution 68 SubstitutionMarcelo ZalayetaGerma'n Gustavo Denis
68 Maggio takes Molinaro on and sends in a cross that flies over Denis's head and the chance is wasted.
# Yellow Card 67 Yellow CardHasan Salihamidzic
66 This match has really opened up in the last ten minutes as both teams are really going for it now!! Salihamidzic is booked for a late challenge as the intensity picks up once again.
64 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!! Blasi receives the ball on the right flank and sends in a cross that Hamsik meets and heads past a helpless Manninger!!!!
# Goal 64 GoalMarek Hamsik
# Substitution 63 SubstitutionPaolo CannavaroSalvatore Aronica
# Injury 62 InjuryPaolo Cannavaro
62 It looks as if Cannavaro pulled his hamstring on the play and he will be substituted off in favour of Aronica.
# Goal 61 GoalCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
60 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!! Poulsen finds some space on the left flank and sends in a low cross that Amauri meets and volleys past Iezzo!!!!!!! A well taken goal by Amauri!!!
# Yellow Card 59 Yellow CardManuele Blasi
58 Great run from Maggio as he beats two defenders and sends in a low cross that Manninger kicks out!!! That's better from Maggio!!
56 Marchisio hacks Hamsik down and concedes a free kick in a dangerous position. Gargano stands over the ball and lays it off to Lavezzi who slices his shot out of play.
54 Nedved finds some space on the left flank but his cross is over-hit and the danger passes. Lavezzi runs past four defenders but shows too much of the ball and Molinaro clears the danger.
52 Amauri heads the ball down to Del Piero whose shot sails high over the crossbar. Lavezzi sprints past two defenders but his cross is poor and runs out of play.
50 Marchisio dials up a long distance effort that fails to trouble Iezzo. Napoli win a free kick and Maggio stands over the ball but his delivery is headed away by Chiellini.
48 Hamsik slips away from his marker and finds the substitute Mannini but his shot is woefully wide of the target.
46 Saccani blows his whistle to get the second half underway with all three points very much up for grabs.
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionLuigi VitaleDaniele Mannini
45 Gargano takes Del Piero down with a two footed challenge and is shown a yellow card for his troubles. Saccani blows his whistle to end a scoreless first half in Naples.
# Yellow Card 44 Yellow CardWalter Gargano
43 Juventus win a corner kick late in the first half and it's taken short to Grygera but his cross to the back post is out of Amauri's reach.
41 Gargano dials up a long distance effort that fails to trouble Manninger. Lavezzi finds Vitali on the right flank but his low cross is cut out by Knezevic.
39 A patient buildup by Juventus ends when Amauri gives the ball away cheaply just outside of the Napoli peanlty area.
37 Cannavaro takes Amauri down and receives a stern lecture from Saccani in the process. Del Piero stands over the ball and curls his shot around the wall, forcing Iezzo to tip the ball over the crossbar!!!
35 Lavezzi finds Hamsik on the right flank but his cross is poor and the chance is wasted. Young Hamsik has struggled in the first half today.
33 Lavezzi does well to slip past his marker and send a low cross into the penalty area that Knezevic cuts out. Molinaro is shown a yellow card for tugging on Maggio's shirt.
# Yellow Card 32 Yellow CardCristian Molinaro
31 Del Piero sends a floating cross into the penalty area that Amauri meets but his weak header fails to trouble Iezzo. Still no breakthrough in Naples tonight.
29 Molinaro stays down after sliding into an advertising board while trying to keep the ball in play. He struggles to his feet and should be able to continue.
27 OH!!!!!!!! Hamsik sends in a downward header that forces Manninger into making a diving save!! Gargano chips the ball into the area looking for Zalayeta but Chiellini makes a good clearance.
25 Zalayeta plays a cheeky backheel to Maggio who cuts inside and lets a shot go that is miles wide of the target. An embarrassing effort by Maggio!
23 OH!!!! Del Piero sends in a tasty cross that Amauri meets but he sends his header wide of the target!!! Poulsen is shown the first yellow card of the match after two fouls in quick succession.
# Yellow Card 23 Yellow CardChristian Poulsen
21 Nedved finds Del Piero on the left flank and his hard work pays off in the form of a corner kick. Del Piero's delivery is poor and Santacroce clears the danger.
19 The intensity has really picked up as there has been a slew of fouls in the last few moments. It's amazing that Saccani has kept his cards in his pocket actually.
17 Lavezzi is taken down from behind and wins his side a free kick which is taken short and Lavezzi tries to pull the trigger but Chiellini makes a thunderous tackle!
15 Nedved runs at the Juventus defence and plays a slide rule pass looking for Del Piero but Santacroce makes a wonderful sliding tackle!!!
13 Del Piero cuts the ball to Nedved but his shot sails over the crossbar. He should have hit the net from there!!
11 Grygera sprints down the right flank and finds Poulsen who spots Amauri who is in an offside position.
9 Del Piero is caught offside much to the delight of the Napoli faithful. Marchisio plays a ball over the top of the Napoli defence looking for Nedved but Iezzo scrambles off his line and beats him to the ball.
7 OH!!!!! Salihamidzic skips to the byline and cuts the ball back for Poulsen whose shot deflects off Santacroce and forces Iezzo into making a diving save!!!!!
5 Maggio floats in a cross that Contini cuts back across the face of goal but it's out of Zalayeta reach. OH!!!! Hamsik slips away from his marker but slices his shot wide of the target!!!
3 The crowd are in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere and they are expecting nothing less than a victory from the home side this evening. Zalayeta runs at the Juve defence but shows too much of the ball and the chance is wasted.
1 We are underway in Naples with Reja starting Zalayeta and Lavezzi upfront while Ranieri counters with Del Piero and Amauri.

Juventus - Palermo 1 - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:15:23 PST

# 90 +4And there it is, full time has been blown! A tremendous result for Palermo, as they take all 3 points back to Sicily with them, thanks to a 2-1 victory in Torino. Not many would have predicted this, however a Miccoli strike in the first half, as well as a late strike by Levan, was enough for the Rosanero to emerge victorious. For the Bianconeri the problems continue to intensify, as Ranieri's position will come under more scrutiny following this performance, and with an injury to another key defender in Mellberg, just nothing seems to be going right for the black and white. Thank you for joining me this afternoon, and I hope that you enjoyed Goal.com's live coverage throughout the match. It finished Juventus 1-2 Palermo. Adrian Del Monte..
90 +3Grygera loses a tooth, through an aerial challenge up against two opponents. Nothing seems to be going right for the home side now. One last chance..
90 +2Tremendous work by Cavani, to get into an attacking poisition. He beats off the challenges of several defenders, ass he finds himself deep in his attacking area. He turns, and cuts the ball back towards Simplicio. Surely this is 3!! Ohhh!!! How did he miss that The ball flies over the bar, and Buffon quickly gets the play restarted.
90 +1Alex steps up to take it, but ohhhh! His free kick has too much height on it, and misses the target. Meanwhile, 3 minutes of stoppage time will be played in the second half..
90 The ball is played long for Juventus, and towards Del Piero, who is fouled by Balzaretti just outside the area. This is dangerous..
89 The home side are trying to push forward, but the Palermo midfielders are working over time to ensure this isn't the case. Buffon gets the ball, as Juve look to restart.
88 Juve have not lost a match since the 4th of May, when they were defeated by Siena 1-0. Could this be the end for Ranieri 2 minutes plus stoppage time may answer this question..
87 Nedved's attempt is poor, very poor, as it fails to lift off the ground. As a result, a packed Palermo defence hack the ball clear..
86 8 Juve players are forward of the ball, as Nedved manages to win a free kick just outside the area, in a dangerous area for either a shot or cross..
85 5 minutes remain for Juventus to peg one back. They win a free kick about 35 yards from goal, with Camoranesi waiting over it, to chip a ball into the area. He does exactly that, but Amelia is up to the task, as he punches away the danger.
84 Del Piero attempts an acrobatic over-head kick in the area, but Carrozzieri gets a touch to it, slowing the pace of the shot, and allowing Amelia to easily take hold of the ball.
83 The Bianconeri will consider themselves so very unlucky to have fallen behind here. They have dominated for the large part of this second half, and will be so disappointed that they may walk away with nothing come the end of the match..
81 GOOOOAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES AS LEVAN GETS WHAT COULD BE THE WINNER FOR PALERMO!!!! What a ball through by Simplicio, and Levan does the rest, as he easily beats Buffon and makes it 2-1 to the visitors..
80 Tedesco comes on for Nocerino, as Ballardini makes his final change for the match. Giovinco is replaced by Nedved, as Ranieri also makes his final substitution. 10 minutes remain..
# Goal 80 GoalLevan Mchedlidze
# Substitution 79 SubstitutionSebastian GiovincoPavel Nedved
# Substitution 79 SubstitutionAntonio NocerinoGiovanni Tedesco
79 Liverani picks up a yellow, after a little bit of payback on Amauri.
78 Del Piero plays a wonderful through ball to Amauri, but tremendous defensive pressure from Carrozzieri is enough to deny the striker of anything. Goal kick to Amelia..
# Yellow Card 78 Yellow CardFabio Liverani
# Yellow Card 76 Yellow CardCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
76 Amauri picks up a yellow, as the cards continue to come, following a poor stomp tackle.
75 Another glorious ball into the Palermo area from Balzaretti, as he goes in seacrh of Cavani, the man most likely to score for the Rosanero it seems.
74 Balzaretti looks like a man determined to prove a point, as he surges forward down the left hand side. He has been so impressive today, as he continues to cause havoc on the left.
# Yellow Card 73 Yellow CardCesare Bovo
72 Bovo picks up a yellow card following a clumsy challenge on Del Piero.
70 20 minutes remain at the Olimpico in Torino, and at the moment this contest could go either way. Despite having one less man on the field, the Bianconeri have certainly had their chances, similar to their opponents, who continue tolook dangerous each time they go forward. It promises to be an interesting 20 minutes..
69 Glorious ball from Del Piero to Giovinco, but the young gun's first touch is poor and he loses possession. However he does well to win it back, from two opponents, and set up another attack.
67 Del Piero makes something from nothing, as he is played the ball forward in attack, and strikes powerfully. A little lower, and that so easily could have been 2-1 to Juve.
65 On comes Camoranesi, in place of Poulsen, who hasn't done much wrong today, but failed to have any major impact on proceedings..
# Substitution 65 SubstitutionChristian PoulsenMauro German Camoranesi
64 Camoranesi is looking set to enter the field of play very shortly, as he is getting stripped and warming up on the sidelines. Could he be the man to change the game..
62 Lovely work by Del Piero and De Ceglie on the left, with the latter chipping a delicate ball in towards Amauri. He is easily beaten in the air by three opponents however, as the Rosanero clear successfully.
60 Bresciano does make way, and it is Levan who takes his place in the midfield for the Rosanero..
# Substitution 60 SubstitutionMark BrescianoLevan Mchedlidze
59 Bresciano seems to be struggling with a knock he received in a recent challenge. Perhaps Ballardini may be thinking of substituting him soon..
58 It's a glorious looking strike by the Bianconeri capitano, but it just had a little too much curl on it. No trouble for Amelia, and he will take possession of the ball once again..
57 Giovinco is taken down just outside the area by Simplicio, and Del Piero is licking his lips to take this free kick..
56 Amauri receives the ball deep in attack, and does well to fight off a challenge from Bovo. He beats the defender, and lets fly with a powerful drive from just outside the area. However it was a little too powerful, and a goal kick to Amelia is the result once again.
55 Sensational work by Marchisio to control the ball and volley from just outside the area. His shot is just wide of the bottom right corner however, and Amelia lets it go for a goal kick.
54 Cavani finds himself through one-on-one with Buffon. How one earth did that happen! He tries to chip Buffon, but the best keeper in the world does enough to deny the Palermo striker. The linesman had his flag up for offside anyway, and so the goal wouldn't have counted..
52 The free kick is poorly taken, and the Bianconeri immediately find themselves on a promising counter attack, as Del Piero leads the way.
51 Grygera receives a yellow card, following his harsh challenge on Nocerino. Free kick to Palermo in a dangerous position.
50 The likes of Nedved and Camoranesi are warming up on the sidelines. Ranieri may be looking to add some experience on the park, as his side go in search of another goal..
# Yellow Card 50 Yellow CardZdenek Grygera
49 A tremendous run and move by Marchisio is brought to an end, thanks to a poor challenge by Simplicio. No card is awarded, and a free kick to Juve is the result.
48 Nocerino to Balzaretti, as the two former Juve players link up on the left. Balzaretti's ball in is poor, as Juve clear through Knezevic.
47 Giovinco races on to a long ball forward from Marchisio, but not even he can make that ball, and it's a throw in to Palermo, deep in their defensive area.
46 And we're underway in the second half..
45 +3The referee brings the first half of play to an end. The sides are deadlocked at the break, following a tight opening forty-five minutes. The Bianconeri were certainly overshadowed by their opponents in the opening half hour, however they fought back well, with Del Piero netting the equalizer in the latter stages. With 10 men for the second half, it won't be easy for the Bianconeri to maintain this sort of pressure, and so Ranieri certainly has a tough task on his hands, if he is to take all three points away from the contest. Join me in around 15 minutes for the second half. Juventus 1-1 Palermo..
45 +2What a touch by Balzaretti, and an even better ball by the former Juve man, as he plays it wide to Bresciano. The Australian international does well to get a ball into the area, however Cavani fails to get to it, and the Juve defence easily clear the danger..
45 There will be 3 minutes of added time in the first half..
43 Just a few minutes remain in the opening half now. Despite playing with one less man, they are surging forward in numbers. About five or six Juve players forward for now..
41 Sissoko has been sent off! His second tough challenge in a matter of minutes, this time on Migliaccio, means that the former Liverpool man's match is over. Juve will play the remainder of the match with 10 men..
# Yellow/Red 41 Yellow/RedMohamed lamine Sissoko
39 GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! ALLLLEEEEEEXXXXXXX DEL PIERO!!!!! 1-1!!!!! Another stunning goal from Del Piero, to net his first goal of the season. And what a goal it was!! He beat the wall, and gave the keeper no chance. 1-1 in Torino now..
38 There are eight pink shirts back in defence, and there's no way through for Giovinco, Amauri, Del Piero and co. Somehow Amauri gets into a quality shooting position, just outside the area, and is taken down. A free kick is given.
# Goal 38 GoalAlessandro Del Piero
# Yellow Card 36 Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
36 Sissoko goes in to a challenge with Nocerino as hard as ever. This time he is awarded with a yellow card for his efforts..
35 Balzaretti makes a mess of a pass deep in his defensive area, however with no real pressure applied, he is able to play it back to Amelia, and the Rosanero can set up once again.
33 Ranieri makes his first change of the match, as Mellberg is replaced by Salihamidzic. Mellberg seems to be struggling with some sort of groin injury, and that is not good news for Ranieri, as he is already without a whole host of key defensive players. Hopefully it's nothing too serious..
# Substitution 33 SubstitutionOlof MellbergHasan Salihamidzic
32 Amelia seems to have dislocated a finger, following that play. The doctors rush to his aid, and all seems to be fine now. Play will continue..
31 We've just past the half hour mark, as Juve win a free kick in a dangerous position. Giovinco takes it, but it comes to nothing, as Amelia meets the ball first.
29 Ballardini is forced into making an early change, with the goal scorer Miccoli having to be replaced due to injury. Migliaccio will play alongside Cavani in attack now.
# Substitution 29 SubstitutionFabrizio MiccoliGiulio Migliaccio
28 Simplicio chips it wide to Miccoli, who has just re-entered the field of play. Miccoli volleys first time, but it's well wide, and trickles out for another goal kick to Buffon.
26 Liverani does tremendously well to get back and halt a promising Juve attacking movement. He has had a great start to the match, working hard at both ends of the park..
25 Miccoli is bleeding quite heavily from the calf, and has been taken off for now, to receive some treatment from the medical staff.
24 GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!!! PALERMO TAKE THE ADVANTAGE THROUGH MICCOLI!!!!! 1-0!!!!!! The resulting free kick floats into the area, and falls to Cavani who has his shot saved by Buffon, only for Miccoli to tap in a simple goal. 1-0 to Palermo..
23 The referee has some strong words with Sissoko, after his tough challenge on Miccoli. However again, no card is shown.
# Goal 23 GoalFabrizio Miccoli
22 Del Piero is furious with the referee's decision not to award Carrozzieri a yellow card, following a coming together between the two players. If Amauri received a yellow before for his challenge, then that certainly should have been a booking.
20 What an interception by Sissoko!! Cassani makes a great run on the right, and cuts the ball back into the area. Cavani comes to meet the ball, and he has a great chance to break the deadlock here. But Sissoko does enough to block the shot and save the day!
18 What a ball by Amauri!! Dances and dazzles his way around his former team mates on the left, and sends in a glorious ball to Giovinco, however Giovinco's height lets him down there, and Palermo clear.
17 Amauri receives the first yellow card of the match, for a soft challenge on Carrozzieri. Hard to tell what exactly that was for, however the referee has shown the former Palermo man a caution, and there's no changing the decision.
15 15 minutes gone now, and Palermo win another corner kick. The ball spills out the back to Liverani, who lets fly with a wicked attempt, but that's high and wide. Arguably the best chance of the match so far..
13 Juve win their first corner of the match, and it's taken by Del Piero. His ball is good, and met solidly by Grygera at the near post, however the header is poor, and that's no danger for Amelia in goals.
12 Mellberg plays it to Buffon, who quickly gets the ball forward to De Ceglie. The young defensive player chips a glorious ball over towards Del Piero, but the linesman puts his flag up for offside. Replays indicate that Del Piero was onside however. Poor decision there..
10 Poulsen plays it to Sissoko, and this looks promising for the home side. They surge forward in numbers, with the ball eventually spilling out to Del Piero. He touches the ball back to Giovinco!! Solid interception Balzaretti there to deny Giovinco.
8 Liverani plays it forward to Cavani, however De Ceglie beats him to it, and a goal kick to Buffon is the result.
7 Ranieri's men will be desperate for all three points today, as they have failed to win in all competitions for 3 matches. They have actually recorded 3 draws in this time..
6 It has certainly been a slow start to this match, with both sides keen to just play the ball around and build up the possession.
5 Del Piero steps up to take the free kick. It beats the wall, but fails to beat Amelia. And 0-0 it remains.. 5 minutes gone at the Olimpico..
4 Nocerino fouls Giovinco, and the Bianconeri win a free kick in a dangerous position. Alex fancies this. Could we see a repeat of his wonder strike against Zenit in the Champions League..
3 Cavani twists and turns his way around De Ceglie, and wins the first corner for the match. Or so he thinks.. The referee awards a goal kick to Buffon.
2 Wonderful start by Giovinco. The young gun chips a glorious ball into the path of his captain, however solid defensive work from Cassani is enough to deny the Juve skipper.
1 And we're underway in Torino. The home side get things going..

BATE - Juventus 2-2 Champions League

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:56:24 PST

# 90 +2SubstitutionVitali RodionovIvan Pecha
# Substitution 86 SubstitutionPavel NekhaychikVladislav Mirchev
# Yellow Card 82 Yellow CardClaudio Marchisio
# Substitution 81 SubstitutionVincenzo IaquintaCarvalho de Oliveira Amauri
# Yellow Card 80 Yellow CardMohamed lamine Sissoko
# Yellow Card 79 Yellow CardVitali Kazantsev
79 Del Piero fires a free-kick straight into the wall after Sissoko is needlessly brought down. The Malian gets a yellow himself, somewhat harshly, as Bate win possession and burst into the Juve area. Amauri is on, and it's game on for Juve.
74 Substitute Sivakov looks for a penalty after going down in the penalty area, but the ref is unimpressed. The hosts are getting back into it after a period being dominated, and it really is all up for grabs in Minsk.
71 Great effort from Del Piero again, who plays a one two with Giovinco, but his powerful left foot shot goes wide of the far post. It remains to be seen how long Ranieri waits to introduce Amauri, but it has to be said this game is ripe for the former Palermo man.
# Substitution 69 SubstitutionDmitri LikhtarovichMikhail Sivakov
67 Great play by Del Piero down the left, cutting in to beat two players in the area but the shot is blocked. The ball comes to Nedved and he lets fly with a right footer. Juve's veterans are seeing more of the ball now, while BATE are fading.
# Yellow Card 65 Yellow CardAleksandr Volodko
62 Del Piero goes so close, connecting with a deflected Grygera cross, but it drifts agonizingly wide for the the Juve legend. Anybody could take this game now, though Bate are a shadow of the first half side, and look to be tiring.
58 Oooh, BATE again, Valodzko so close with a great header after fantastic work from goalscorer Stasevich down the left. Juve break and Nedved hits a stinging shot, but the 'keeper punches it away well. This match is fast turning into a classic.
54 Oooh, a real miss by Nekhaychik, who had time to take a touch before shooting from the centre of the area.
50 Juve have started the better no doubt, with the link play between the attack and midfield a vast imporvement, but Bate win a free kick in a dangerous position.
48 Great ball in from Giovinco, who has steadily asserted himself on this game as the minutes have ticked by. An assist is already in the bag from the attacking midfielder, and he could prove crucial for the visitors here
# Substitution 46 SubstitutionMauro German CamoranesiClaudio Marchisio
# Goal 45 +3GoalVincenzo Iaquinta
45 +3GOOOOOOALLLL Iaquinta again! Unbelievable. Great finish after Giovinco finds the former Udinese man, who fires a low shot under the keeper to tie things up. Undeserved maybe, but a great take nevertheless! What a half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
45 +1Nedved fires an effort from the left hand side of the area but the 'keeper comfortable parries it, and Del Piero fires the rebound over the bar. It's the best the duo have managed this half, and they'll have to improve dramatically, as will the the rest of the team, if they are to triumph in Belarus tonight.
45 We're back in Minsk. Marchisio should give Juve much better balance in midfield, and raises the question why Ranieri went with Camo in central midfield...
42 Juve enjoy the lions share of possession as we approach the break, but they cant fashion a chance. The Bianconeri look a little short on pace, while Nedved and Del Piero have struggled desperately to get into the game. How long before Amauri comes on
39 Del Piero goes for goal again from range, but its a hopeful effort. Juve still look a little suspect at the back, while the midfield quartet look way off pace, but the hosts are giving La Vecchia Signora a chance with some loose play of their own.
35 Great challenge Sissoko! The Malian has been putting the challenges in, but Juve's central midfield really has been dominated by their Borisov counterparts. They have been overrun so far, and need to get on the ball more often.
32 Del Piero wastes a great chance to put the ball in the mixer with another freekick. Veremko take it easily, but Juve look more focused since Iaquinta's breakthrough.
29 GOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAL! The corner is cleared but Giovinco pops it back in and Iaquinta nets with an excellent header. Game on!
# Goal 29 GoalVincenzo Iaquinta
28 Brilliant save by the keeper! DP gets a spinning effort on target and it goes for a corner.
27 FK for Juve, great position...can Del Piero deliver...
26 Del Piero tries for an immediate response from a set piece, but its nowhere near. Nedved was at fault for the goal, failing with any sort of challenge to Stasevich, and Juve have looked extremely suspect in defence all game. It's getting worse for Juve, as Grygera is booked.
# Yellow Card 26 Yellow CardZdenek Grygera
# Goal 24 GoalIgor Stasevich
23 2-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great header, and Juve a sinking without trace! Stasevich connects perfectly with a header and its a deserved extension to their lead.
20 Leggro took a hit to the head earlier in the game, and its obviously taken its toll as Knezevic is on.
18 GOOOOOAL BATE!!!!!!!! Fantastic take from Krivets! He takes it around Manninger after a great ball from Holovko to give Bate Borisov the lead - the club's first ever goal in the CL.
# Substitution 18 SubstitutionNicola LegrottaglieDario Knezevic
# Goal 17 GoalSergei Kryvets
14 Sissoko catched Holovko in possession. He tackles superbly to find Del Piero who stabs it in front of Iaquinta, but the ball has too much pace and the keeper collects.
12 Sissoko flies in with a high boot. The free kick causes chaos in the box, but Camoranesi is there to clear it within a couple of metres of the goaline
9 Juve don't look comfortable at all at the back, while the hosts are laying some good stuff in the arly exchanges, forcing the visitors into some hurried clearances.
# Yellow Card 8 Yellow CardPavel Nekhaychik
6 It's end to end stuff at the moment. Juve break with Del Piero, but the ball is lost at Bate are down the other end to force a corner. It's an excellent start.
4 De Ceglie plays in a cross and is give too much space. The ball finds Del Piero but he nods a header well wide.
3 Bate are clean through but the forward is wrestled off it at the last moment. The corner comes to nothing, though Juve were opened up far too easily then.
0 Alex Manninger keeps his place for a long awaited return to CL action. Buffon isn't back in time. Lets see if it makes a difference :)
Goal.com

Sampdoria - Juventus 0 - 0

noreply@blogger.com (Nacha) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:12:57 PST

# 90 +4The referee blows his whistle to end the match as both teams share the spoils in 0-0 draw at the Luigi Ferraris. It was a fair result as no team stood out from the other tonight.
90 +2OH!!!!!! Dessena's volley from 10 yards forces Manninger into making a diving save!!!! That was a real chance at the death for Sampdoria.
90 The fourth official signals that there will be four minutes of extra time as Sammarco pushes forward but cannot pry open the Juventus defence.
88 Sampdoria win a late corner and all the big boys from the back push forward into the Juve penalty area. OH!!! Pieri's delivery is to the back post and forces Molinaro to head the ball behind his own net.
# Substitution 87 SubstitutionGennaro DelvecchioEmiliano Bonazzoli
86 Cassano sends a cross into the penalty area but Mellberg is first to the ball and clears the danger. Molinaro scampers up the left flank and sends in a poor cross that sails high into the crowd.
84 Amauri tries to play the ball back across the face of goal but Mirante makes a comfortable catch.
82 You would imagine that it's next goal wins at this point as Nedved tries to power his way to the byline but the ball runs out of play.
80 Cassano is taken down by Sissoko but no free kick is given much to the chagrin of the Blucerchiati faithful. Mazzari is losing his mind on touchline right now!
# Substitution 79 SubstitutionStefano LucchiniJonathan Pablo Bottinelli
78 Camoranesi hoists a ball to the back post looking for Amauri who cannot direct his header on goal. The three points are very much up for grabs and we shall see which team takes the initiative.
76 Palombo is forced to take an early shower as the injury he just picked up appears to be serious and Dessena will come on in his place.
74 Play is halted as Palomba is down injured and requires some treatment from the medical staff. Del Piero is taken off in favour of Iaquinta as Ranieri makes his first substitution of the match.
# Substitution 74 SubstitutionAngelo PalomboDaniele Dessena
# Substitution 73 SubstitutionAlessandro Del PieroVincenzo Iaquinta
72 Camoranesi is booked for a vicious tackle from behind on Palombo who will definitely feel that in the morning.
70 Poulsen finds Amauri who takes the ball down and spots Grygera on the right flank but his cross is cleared away by Accardi. It looks as if one goal will win the match tonight.
# Yellow Card 70 Yellow CardMauro German Camoranesi
68 Stankevicius' cross field ball finds Sammarco who wins his side another corner kick. Palombo's delivery is punched away by Manninger who once again is deputizing for the injured Buffon.
66 Nedved scampers up the left flank and sends in a cross but it's too close to Mirante who makes a comfortable catch.
64 The second half has been a bit cagey as both teams are playing it close to the vest. Neither manager wants to drop any points tonight.
62 Sampdoria win a corner and Palombo's delivery is met by Stankevicius whose header is easily saved by Manninger.
60 Amauri has had a quiet game so far but he receives the ball on the edge of the area, spins and lets a shot fly that sails high over the crossbar.
59 The Sampdoria faithful make themselves heard as they try and sing their way to a victory tonight. OH!!!! Molinaro almost gifts Sampdoria a goal as his back-pass for Manninger forces the keeper off his line to beat Cassano to the ball!
57 Grygera pushes forward and finds Poulsen who lays the ball off for Nedved but his shot sails high over the crossbar.
55 Juventus win a corner and Del Piero's delivery is punched away by Mirante. Mellberg takes Palombo down and is shown a yellow card for his troubles.
# Yellow Card 55 Yellow CardOlof Mellberg
53 OH!!!!! Sammarco misses a free header 8 yards from the Juventus goal. Manninger was rooted to the spot and Sammarco just plain missed the net!!! That was a real chance!
52 Cassano is caught offside for the third time today and has some choice words for the linesman. Stankevicius receives the ball in the penalty area but his first touch is poor and the chance is wasted.
50 It's Juventus' turn to win a free kick as Nedved was obstructed. Del Piero stands over the ball but his delivery is woeful and flies into the crowd bring sarcastic cheers from the Sampdoria faithful.
48 Sissoko climbs all over Palombo and concedes a free kick in a dangerous area. OH!!!!! Cassano stands over the ball and unleashes a furious shot that almost finds the top corner!!!
46 The second half is underway with both team's eager to break the scoreless deadlock. No changes made by either manager to start the half.
45 The referee blows his whistle to end a scoreless first half. There were chances for both sides but neither goalkeeper has been beaten.
43 Poulsen receives the ball in the penalty area but his first touch is poor and the chance goes begging. Cassano wins his side a corner kick but Pieri's delivery is poor and comes to nothing.
41 OH!!!!! Amauri heads the ball on to Del Piero whose acrobatic volley sails over the crossbar!!!!! That chance started with Chiellini's long throw in!
39 Cassano runs at the Juventus defence but his slide rule pass intended for Delvecchio is cleared away by Mellberg who has had a fine game so far today.
37 A rash of petty fouls has slowed the match right down in the last few minutes. Sissoko finds Grygera who is forced backwards and the attack comes to nothing.
35 Del Piero is called for a foul in his own half and Stankavicius meets Pieri's delivery but sends his header wide of the mark.
33 Molinaro finds Camoranesi who chests the ball down to Del Piero but his cheeky backheel fails to find Nedved. Cassano is caught offside once more as he fails to time his run properly.
31 No breakthrough for either team as we hit the thirty minute mark at the Luigi Ferraris. Del Piero had the best chance of the match but his shot rung off the post.
29 Delvecchio fouls Chiellini who is down on the ground still feeling the effects of that challenge but he gets to his feet and looks like he will be able to continue.
27 Cassano is caught offside as he tries to sneak behind the Juventus back four. Nedved finds Poulsen whose pass intended for Del Piero is intercepted and the attack fizzles out.
25 Stankevicius hits a long, hopeful ball looking for Cassano but Chiellini takes the ball down on his chest and clears the ball away. Great play by the Juventus defender.
23 Pieri does well to win his team a corner kick and the ensuing delivery falls back to Pieri who whips in a cross that Lucchini meets but can't direct on goal.
21 Nedved is bodychecked out of bounds by Lucchini who is shown a yellow card for his troubles much to the chagrin of the Sampdoria faithful.
# Yellow Card 21 Yellow CardStefano Lucchini
19 OH!!!!!! Sissoko finds Del Piero inside of the penalty area and he unleashes a low shot that comes back off the post!!!! That was a real opportunity for the Bianconeri!!!
17 Juventus are down to ten men at the moment as Del Piero is on the touchline changing his boots. OH!!!!! Sammarco pushes forward and lets a low drive go that whizzes past the post!!!
15 Cassano takes on Camoranesi and lays the ball off for Franceschini whose cross is blocked by Grygera.
13 Camoranesi runs at the Sampdoria defence and finds Nedved who helps the ball onto Molinaro but his cross is easily cleared away by Gastaldello.
11 Nedved takes the ball down on his chest and unleashes a drive that Gastaledello blocks. Juventus win a free kick and Camoranesi's delivery is all for naught as Cheillini is called for a foul.
9 Camoranesi is back in the lineup tonight and is called for a late foul on Accardi. Stankevicius dials up a long distance effort that rolls just wide of the post .
7 It's been a bright start by both teams as Cassano's first touch lets him down in the Juventus penalty area. Sampdoria need a good game from their volatile yet wildly talented striker if they are to take all three points today.
5 It is a sold out affair at the Luigi Ferraris this afternoon with the crowd in full voice giving the match an electric atmosphere. Cassano wins his side an early corner kick but Mellberg does well to clear the danger.
3 OH!!!!!! Molinaro is taken down on the edge of the area and wins his side a free kick. That could have easily been a penalty shot!! Del Piero stands over the ball and curls in a shot that Mirante parries away!!!! Juventus fire an early warning shot!!
# Yellow Card 3 Yellow CardDaniele Gastaldello
1 The match is underway with Mazarri starting Cassano and Delvecchio upfront while Ranieri counters with Amauri and Del Piero.