Post by Salem6 on May 14, 2006 15:12:03 GMT
Serie A Week 38 - 14/5/06 (14.00 UK)
Reggina 0 - 2 Juventus
Trezeguet 23 (J), Del Piero 91 (J)
Stadio San Nicola, Bari (neutral ground)
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Goals from David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero proved enough to secure Juve's 29th Scudetto title.
The Bianconeri needed only a point to stamp their 29th Scudetto, but there was no mood for a party at the Stadio San Nicola. This has been one of the worst weeks in the club's history, with allegations of match-fixing, collusion with referees and the subsequent resignation of the entire Board of Directors - Luciano Moggi, Antonio Giraudo and Roberto Bettega. Coach Fabio Capello is also expected to leave this summer. Despite everything, the Bari stadium was packed out with enthusiastic Juve fans.
Reggina, who were forced to play on neutral turf due to crowd trouble in their last home game, were already safe from the drop, but were without the suspended Ivan Franceschini and Alessandro Lucarelli. Patrick Vieira was banned for Juve.
Federico Balzaretti threaded through for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but his shot was central and well saved by Ivan Pelizzoli.
Soon after, Emerson's long-range right-foot strike skimmed the base of the upright, but Reggina also threatened with a curling Ciccio Cozza free kick.
The Amaranto went even closer soon after, as Luca Vigiani's angled drive was inches wide of the far post with Gigi Buffon at full stretch. However, the midfielder suffered an injury and had to limp off after just 21 minutes.
It was Juventus who took the lead after 23 minutes from a corner kick, sparking wild celebrations among the squad. Goalkeeper Pelizzoli just about managed to tip a spectacular Fabio Cannavaro backheel out from under the bar, but David Trezeguet was ready to nod in the loose ball from less than a yard.
Ibrahimovic also attempted a backheel flick from Pavel Nedved's free kick, but got tangled up with the ball.
Juri Cannarsa did well to close down Nedved's solo run, while there were penalty appeals for a Lanzaro handling offence on Mauro Camoranesi's cross.
In first half stoppages, Nedved scuffed an Ibrahimovic cutback from a very promising position.
Emerson's free header from a corner kick was inches wide of the upright after the restart.
Pelizzoli required a great save to prevent Trezeguet making it 2-0 on 51 minutes, as the Frenchman intercepted a woeful Cannarsa pass and unleashed a powerful strike from distance.
Ibrahimovic attempted a spectacular overhead kick, but couldn't keep the shot down from six yards.
Juventus thought they'd sealed the points on 72 minutes when Ibrahimovic's lob beat Pelizzoli, but Cannarsa was in place for a crucial goalline clearance.
Alessandro Del Piero replaced goalscorer Trezeguet for the final 18 minutes, but play was halted in the closing stages for a peaceful pitch invasion that infuriated Fabio Capello.
Once play finally resumed, Del Piero sealed the victory with a precise angled drive to get the party started at the Stadio San Nicola.
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Reggina: Pelizzoli; Cannarsa, Giosa (Missiroli 73), Lanzaro; Biondini, Tedesco, Vigiani (Carobbio 21), Castiglia, Modesto; Amoruso (Bianchi 65), Cozza
Juventus: Buffon (Abbiati 87); Balzaretti, Cannavaro, Kovac, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Giannichedda, Emerson, Nedved; Trezeguet (Del Piero 72), Ibrahimovic
Ref: Banti
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0506/reg-juv.html