28 December 2007

Juve's 2007, part 2

Juventus.com lets you relive Juve’s year, in four parts. Today the second part: from April to June, the end of the run, the return to Serie A, the end of Deschamps' tenure and the beginning of the Ranieri era.

April

Juventus were on a roll and took a decisive leap forward in April, thanks to a series of wins against promotion rivals, which confirmed the Bianconeri's predominance. After an unexpected draw at home against Albinoleffe – coming from behind thanks to a great Balzaretti goal -, the Olimpico’s law applied again to Napoli, who were beaten 2-0 just after Easter, with goals by Camoranesi and Del Piero. A few days later, Juve won again, away at Lecce. Camoranesi was one of the stars of the match once more with a superb goal. Marchionni and Zalayeta scored the others in a 3-1 win.

Another home draw came against Rimini (0-0 despite several chances), but Juve made the decisive step before the end of the month, with two convincing wins: the first at home against rivals Genoa, 3-1 with goals by Nedved, Chiellini and Trezeguet, the second an away win at Verona, with the only goal scored by Boumsong with a header.

May

Juve made it three wins in a row at the beginning of May - on the 1st, Juve fans celebrating alongside the world’s workers. The 2-0 win at Frosinone (with two Zalayeta goals) was another important step toward promotion, just like the point earned in the insidious away game at Cesena. It ended 2-2 after an exciting match, Juve scoring with big names Trezeguet and Nedved within seconds of each other. Promotion was near and Juve got even closer by winning against Bologna at home. Four players were the stars of that match: Del Piero, who got two goals, Trezeguet, who scored the third, Buffon, who made two miracle saves when the result was still in doubt, and young talent Giovinco, immediately proving a favourite with Juve fans.

Juventus were almost there. They only needed one more win to return to the top division, and win they did on Day 19. There was no contest against Arezzo, managed by former Juventus player Antonio Conte, as Juve were too determined to get the result they needed: in the end they won 5-1 with Del Piero and Chiellini scoring two each, and Trezeguet getting the other one. Celebrations could finally begin. Didier Deschamps completed his 10-month mission but surprised everyone by quitting right after the following match, a home win against Mantova (2-0, with goals by Trezeguet and Nedved).

June

It was up to Giancarlo Corradini, deputy Manager for many years, to guide the team through the remaining two matches, which were stripped of any meaning. And they were certainly unmemorable, as they were both defeats, but with promotion already secured. First at Bari (1-0), and then at home against Spezia, who were battling to avoid relegation. The guests won 3-2 in the end (Trezeguet and youngster Bianco scoring) but didn't ruin the celebrations for Juventus’ return to Serie A, with the team receiving the Serie B trophy on the pitch, and Del Piero winning the top scorer award.

But the future had already begun. Three important announcements had been made on the eve of the last game: Claudio Ranieri signing on as the new Manager, and Zebina and Buffon renewing their contracts. In January three new signings had already been announced: Grygera, Salihamidzic and Criscito - and then in late June other players were signed up: Iaquinta, Tiago, Almiron, Nocerino and Molinaro. Plus vital player Trezeguet also renewed his contract. But more excellent news would arrive in the next few days.

2007: the first part

MONTH BY MONTH, ALL THE GAMES PLAYED
 
APRIL
 
06/04 Serie B – Day 33
Juventus-AlbinoLeffe 1-1
Balzaretti

10/04 Serie B – Day 31  
Juventus-Napoli 2-0
Camoranesi, Del Piero

14/04 Serie B – Day 34  
Lecce-Juventus 1-3
Marchionni, Zalayeta, Camoranesi
 
17/04 Serie B – rec. Day 22  
Juventus-Rimini 0-0
 
21/04 Serie B – Day 35  
Juventus-Genoa 3-1
Nedved, Chiellini, Trezeguet

27/04 Serie B – Day 36  
Verona-Juventus 0-1
Boumsong

MAY

01/05 Serie B – Day 30  
Frosinone-Juventus 0-2
2 Zalayeta

06/05 Serie B – Day 37  
Cesena-Juventus 2-2
Trezeguet, Nedved

12/05 Serie B – Day 38  
Juventus-Bologna 3-1
2 Del Piero, Trezeguet

16/05 Friendly match  
Cuneo-Juventus 2-3
Bojinov, Del Piero, Lanzafame
 
19/05 Serie B – Day 39  
Arezzo-Juventus 1-5
2 Del Piero, 2 Chiellini, Trezeguet
 
26/05 Serie B – Day 40  
Juventus-Mantova 2-0
Trezeguet, Nedved

JUNE

04/06 Serie B – Day 41  
Bari-Juventus 1-0
 
10/06 Serie B – Day 42  
Juventus-Spezia 2-3
Trezeguet, Bianco