13 August 2008

One foot in the Champions League

Return match on August 26th in Slovakia to manage this win. 13 days will still be needed to have 100% certainty of taking part in the next Champions League, but Juventus have at least one foot in the top European competition now. In the first leg of the third qualifying round, the Bianconeri had no mercy of Artmedia Bratislava and demolished them with an eloquent 4-0 drubbing.

Three goals were already scored in the first half thanks to Camoranesi, Del Piero and Chiellini, and then Legrottaglie made it four at the end of the match. The four-goal difference clearly showed the difference in quality between the two teams tonight at the Olimpico. Ranieri considered this return to top-level European football as a reward for the stars of last season, so 10 of the old guard started tonight.

Only new boy Poulsen had a place on the team due to Zanetti's injury. As for the rest of the team, Buffon was in goal (playing his 500th game as a professional), Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini and Molinaro in defence, Camoranesi, Sissoko and Salihamidzic alongside the Dane in midfield and up front, the most tried and tested of partnerships: Del Piero and Trezeguet.

As soon as Vassaras signalled play to begin, it was clear how important getting back into the Champions League is for the Bianconeri. Juventus (dressed in gold) dominated from the start. The first goal came pretty soon: after 7 minutes, Grygera's run opened up the Slovakian defence, and there was a rebound which put Camoranesi in a great position to quickly convert with a precise shot. The Czech player was again under the spotlight after 15 minutes, but unfortunately it was because he suffered an injury to his neck in a clash with Urbanek and had to leave the pitch. Ranieri replaced him with Iaquinta, making the team even more of an attacking one, and the results were soon evident.

After 26 minutes, Captain Del Piero tapped into all his years of European experience and came up with a right footer that screamed into the top corner, leaving no chance to keeper Kamenar. And it wasn't all. After 43 minutes, Camoranesi put in a great cross from a free kick and Giorgio Chiellini beat everyone to head in, starting to celebrate his 24th birthday a few hours early. The first half ended with the score at 3-0. Second half. Weiss replaced Piroska with Obzera but things didn't change much. Juve still dominated and there were chances for Poulsen (miracle save by Karemar) and Del Piero (who shot high). Artmedia reacted, but Buffon left them no chance. Glever also came on for Halenar.

After 73 minutes, there was a standing ovation when Ranieri took off Del Piero, with the whole crowd at the Olimpico cheering him, and put on Amauri. Iaquinta kept trying to score and was awarded a free kick, but his shot hit the wall. The Brazilian, Trezeguet and Iaquinta really wanted to get a goal and tried in several ways, but the fourth was eventually scored by Legrottaglie, whose header came in the 90th minute.

The 4-0 looks set to guarantee Juve going through and returning to the top European tournament.

Champions League qualifiers third round, first leg Turin, Olimpico Stadium Wednesday August 13th 2008 JUVENTUS-ARTMEDIA 4-0 (3-0) GOALS: Camoranesi 7 mins, Del Piero 26 mins, Chiellini 39 mins, Legrottaglie 90 mins. JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera (Iaquinta 16 mins), Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Poulsen, Salihamidzic; Del Piero (Amauri 73 mins), Trezeguet. Subs not used: Chimenti, Zebina, Mellberg, Ekdal, Pasquato. Manager: Ranieri. ARTMEDIA BRATISLAVA: Kamenar; Velicky, Cisovsky, Salata, Urbanek; Piroska (Obzera 46 mins), Kozak, Fodrek, Pedro; Pospech (Oravec 82 mins), Halenar (Glever 68 mins). Subs not used: Hyll, Szabo, Mraz, Hasek. Manager: Weiss. REFEREE: Vassaras (Greece). YELLOW CARDS: Obzera 58 mins, Chiellini 85 mins. MATCH FACTS: attendance 23,102, takings € 422,355.00.