Post by Salem6 on Oct 3, 2006 17:02:08 GMT
Juventus arrived at Piacenza’s ‘Garilli’ stadium this afternoon in search of a fourth straight victory in Serie B. Deschamps went with the pairing of Trezeguet and Del Piero up front, with Camoranesi and Nedved supporting on the flanks. Chiellini and Birindelli returned to the full back positions, while Kovac and Boumsong had the chance to build on their increasingly impressive partnership at the heart of the Bianconeri defence.
A tense first ten minutes as both teams looked gain a foothold on the game. Camoranesi provided the first action of the match in the 11th minute, launching a powerful half-volley towards goal from outside the area and forcing Coppola into a fine save. Juventus slowly began to take command of the midfield and the chances soon followed. Nedved and Camoranesi were causing trouble down the wings but it was Del Piero who came close to opening the scoring, his curling free-kick forcing another diving save from the Piacenza keeper in the 20th minute. The pressure began to mount and seven minutes later Coppola was called upon once more, parrying a dangerous Del Piero header from a Camoranesi cross and denying the Bianconeri the opener. Moments later, Buffon denied Cacia at the other end, pulling off a wonderful reflex save after a rapid Piacenza counter-attack. Deschamps was forced to make a change just before the hour mark, replacing the injured Giannichedda with Paro, and just a minute later, his team were in front. Nedved released Del Piero out on the left and the captain’s deft cross was met by the head of Trezeguet, sending the ball home to put the Bianconeri ahead (0-1). In the 33rd minute Nedved cut in from the left wing but his powerful right-footed effort was parried by Coppola. Juventus looked most likely to score next and on the stroke of half-time they doubled their lead. Del Piero tried his luck with a long range free-kick and saw his effort deflected into the back of the net by the head of Trezeguet (0-2). The goal proved to be the last action of the half and the Bianconeri entered the tunnel at the break with a commanding two goal lead.
With no changes from either side at half-time, the game followed a similar pattern to the start of the first half, both teams pressing hard to gain control of the midfield. Paladino looked lively on the right wing for Piacenza, cutting inside in the 54th minute and unleashing a powerful effort towards goal. Buffon made a comfortable save but it was clear the home side were not merely content with making up the numbers. Juventus defended well but were unable to dominate the middle third as they did in the first period. After a scrappy passage of play, Nedved registered the Bianconeri’s first real chance of the half in the 71st minute, changing gear out on the left and sending a piledriver towards goal with his right boot. Coppola dived to his left to make the save and the Piacenza defence cleared their lines. Paro and Del Piero tried their luck from distance but failed to hit the target and in the 77th minute the captain was replaced by Bojinov. The Bulgarian made an immediate impact, shooting from outside the area in the 79th minute, but Coppola watched as the ball travelled wide of his right post. Cacia caused problems at the other end, twice denied in the box at the crucial moment by the Juventus back line. In the 83rd minute Degano was released by Gemiti but his low drive skipped just wide of the left post. A minute later Camoranesi made way for Marchionni, and the Bianconeri came close to adding a third, Bojinov firing just over the bar from ten yards out after a neat Trezeguet lay-off. The pace of the game dropped considerably as Juventus closed out the game but Marchionni had other ideas, racing onto Trezeguet’s lay-off and having a go from the edge of the box in the 91st minute. His effort sailed high and wide but the Bianconeri weren’t yet finished, Bojinov’s deflected free-kick forcing Coppola into another fine save in injury time. Piacenza held on but Trezeguet’s first half brace proved to be decisive.
PIACENZA – JUVENTUS: 0-2
GOALS: Trezeguet 30’, 45’
BOOKED: Giannichedda 11’, Olivi 90+3’
PIACENZA: Coppola; Nef, Campagnaro, Olivi, Gemiti; Riccio, Patrascu, Noverino (Gobatto 78’); Padalino (Simon 68’), Cacia, Rantier (Degano 64’).
Subs: Capodici, Anaclerio, Miglionico, Stamilla
Coach: Iachini
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli, Kovac, Boumsong, Chiellini; Camoranesi (Marchionni 84’), Zanetti, Giannichedda (Paro 29’), Nedved; Del Piero (Bojinov 77’), Trezeguet
Subs: Mirante, Balzaretti, Palladino, Zalayeta
Coach: Deschamps
REFEREE: Bertini
ASSISTANTS: De Santis G., Petrella
4TH OFFICIAL: Passeri
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