30 January 2008

Italian Cup run over

The Bianconeri's run in the 2007/08 Italian Cup has come to a halt in the quarter finals. Inter Milan won 3-2 at the Olimpico – after the 2-2 draw at the Meazza – and will be the ones facing Lazio in the semi-finals.

Just like in Milan, it was a very eventful and exciting match. Especially in the first half, which ended 2-2. The Nerazzurri scored first with Balotelli. Del Piero and Iaquinta then took Juve in the lead, but before the break Inter equalized with Cruz from the spot (penalty awarded for a Salihamidzic handball).

The second half was decided in the first few minutes. Nedved missed a goal, and then Balotelli got his second from inside the box. Juventus were one goal down and had to score two to qualify, so Camoranesi and Trezeguet came on, followed by Palladino. The three subs created the best play of the game but Toldo saved a Trezegol right-foot volley in the top corner. Before the final whistle, Juventus lost one man when Camoranesi was sent off.

Inter Milan go forward in the Italian Cup. Juventus bow out, but with honour intact. Now they'll concentrate on the League. Another home game on Sunday, when Cagliari
arrive at the Olimpico and Juve must win to confirm the win at Livorno and keep up the pace in the highest parts of the table.

2007/08 TIM Italian Cup
Quarter finals – Second leg
Turin, Olimpico Stadium
Wednesday January 30 2008, 9 pm

JUVENTUS-INTER MILAN 2-3 (2-2)
GOALS: Balotelli 10, 53 mins, Del Piero 14 mins, Iaquinta 32 mins, Cruz (pen) 39 mins.
JUVENTUS: Belardi; Birindelli (Camoranesi 66 mins), Legrottaglie, Stendardo, Molinaro; Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Cristiano, Zanetti, Nedved (Palladino 74 mins); Del Piero, Iaquinta (Trezeguet 66 mins). Subs not used: Vanstrattan, Ariaudo, Tiago, Castiglia. Manager: Ranieri.
INTER MILAN: Toldo; Maicon (Solari 87 mins), Cordoba, Rivas, Maxwell; Maniche (Vieira 54 mins), Pelè, Stankovic; Jimenez (Javier Zanetti 70 mins); Cruz, Balotelli. Subs not used: Orlandoni, Chivu, Cambiasso, Sauzo. Manager: Mancini.
REFEREE: Saccani from Mantova.
YELLOW CARDS: Pelé 26 mins, Iaquinta 32 mins, Maniche 43 mins.
RED CARDS: Camoranesi 39 mins.
NOTES: attendance 20,616 (€ 460,560 takings).