15 December 2007

Juve win honours Ale and Ricky

On the first anniversary of Alessio Ferramosca and Riccardo Neri's deaths, Juventus chose the best way to honour the two boys. They defeated Lazio in Rome, winning away from home again at last - just like Ranieri asked on the eve of the match - and took a big leap forward in the League. With Udinese losing at Catania, the Bianconeri are temporarily in second place alongside Roma, five points behind Inter Milan.

Just like at Cagliari, the last “real” away win (not counting the derby), it was Juventus' stars that made the difference. Del Piero scored two great goals, in the same net where he'd scored one of the best goals in his career back in 1994. Trezeguet scored again and now has 12 goals in 16 League games. Buffon showed why he's the best keeper in the world once more with an absolute miracle save on Rocchi when the score was 2-1.

The match played at the Olimpico was an exciting one. Lazio seemed more motivated than depressed after being chucked out of the Champions League and played well, especially up front where Rocchi, Pandev and Mauri were always dangerous. The game was balanced at the start, with both teams missing chances, especially Chiellini and Mauri who couldn't convert from close range. After half an hour Juve went one up with Trezeguet scoring from a Salihamidzic pass. Lazio equalized before the break with Pandev heading in from a Mutarelli pass. At the break the score was 1-1.

In the second half, Juventus came on the pitch without Nedved – who'd suffered an injury to his head – but with Tiago playing very well. However, the two stars of the half were undoubtedly Zanetti and Del Piero. Two perfect passes by the midfielder gave the captain the chance to score two almost identical goals, after 48 and 70 minutes. Between the two goals, Ballotta had saved very well on Trezeguet and Buffon had been truly miraculous on Rocchi. Seconds from the end, Pandev scored the second for Lazio but it didn't change things. Juventus won away from home again in the day dedicated to Ale and Ricky's memory. Another reason to smile.

Serie A TIM 2007/08, Day 16
Rome, Olympic Stadium
Saturday 15 December 2007,  8.30 pm

LAZIO-JUVENTUS 2-3 (1-1)
GOALS: 29’ Trezeguet, 36’ and 93’ Pandev, 48’ and 70’ Del Piero.
LAZIO: Ballotta, Scaloni (75’ De Silvestri), Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Mudingayi (86’ Meghni), Ledesma, Mutarelli; Mauri; Pandev, Rocchi. Subs not used: Muslera, Stendardo, Manfredini, Baronio, Makinwa. Manager: Rossi.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Zanetti, Nedved (46' Tiago); Del Piero, Trezeguet. Subs not used: Belardi, Birindelli, Grygera, Olivera, Marchionni, Palladino. Manager: Ranieri.
REFEREE: Brighi from Cesena.
YELLOW CARDS: 52' Nocerino, 73' Mudingayi, 87' Pandev.

 

 

Bologna	Sampdoria	-
Catania	Inter	3 - 1
Genoa	Cagliari	-
Juventus	Siena	-
Lazio	Bari	-
Livorno	Roma	-
Milan	Chievo	-
Napoli	Fiorentina	-
Parma	Atalanta	-
Udinese	Palermo	-