Post by Salem6 on Feb 27, 2007 6:23:22 GMT
The Bianconeri arrived in Modena looking to take back top spot and lo and behold, they head back to Turin this evening with three precious points in the bag. Mission complete. The result came courtesy of a Centurioni own goal late in the second half. Deschamps’ men dominated the clash from the outset and, having leapfrogged Napoli, they now enjoy a five point lead over Saturday’s visitors to the Olimpico, Piacenza.
The weekend’s results gave Juventus extra motivation to grab three points and open up a gap on the chasing pack. Zebina, Boumsong, Chiellini and Birindelli formed an experienced back line in front of Buffon, while there were no changes in midfield from the quartet who trounced Crotone last week: Camoranesi, Giannichedda, Zanetti and Nedved. Up front, Deschamps kept faith in the formidable pairing of Del Piero and Trezeguet.
The opening quarter of an hour was slow and measured but it didn’t take the Bianconeri long to turn on the entertainment. Del Piero and Nedved both tried their luck early on but Frezzolini was alert to the danger. Zanetti, Trezeguet and Camoranesi all came close but there was no way through. Meanwhile, Buffon went relatively untested at the back. Zanetti went inches wide just before the break but the two teams entered the tunnel all square (0-0).
Juventus began the second half as they’d ended the first, on top. Neither keeper was troubled for the first fifteen minutes but then the Bianconeri came alive with Nedved and Balzaretti slinging long range efforts in from the left. Zanetti could have opened the scoring midway through the second period but his effort lacked power. The midfielder almost lived to regret his miss as the home side came close from Bruno but the scores remained level.
Bojinov replaced Del Piero in the 77th minute but there were no changes to the fortunes of the Bianconeri attack. Modena substitute Rossi saved on the goal line from Boumsong and then it was Buffon’s turn, denying Bruno once again. In the 86th minute, Bojinov tried to find Trezeguet with a cross from the left wing. Centurioni tried to clear but watched the ball fly into his own net. It was a cruel but deserved lead (0-1). Nedved almost doubled the Bianconeri’s advantage late on but there were no further changes to the score.
Serie B, match day 25
Modena, Alberto Braglia stadium
Monday 26th February 2007, kick-off 20.45
GOALS: Centurioni o.g. 86’
MODENA: Frezzolini; Frey, Centurioni, Ungari (74’ Rossi), Chiecchi; Campedelli (74’ Abate), Longo, Antonazzo, Tamburini; Pinardi (79’ Baldo); Bruno.
Subs: Narciso, Luisi, Calacone, Sforzini.
Coach: Mutti.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Boumsong, Chiellini, Balzaretti;
Camoranesi, Zanetti, Giannichedda, Nedved; Del Piero (77’ Bojinov), Trezeguet.
Subs: Mirante, Birindelli, Piccolo, Paro, Marchionni, Zalayeta
Coach: Deschamps.
REFEREE: Marelli di Como.
BOOKED: 19’ Ungari, 45’ Nedved.
ASSISTANTS: Liberti e Maggiani.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Meli.
www.juventus.com/uk/news/detail.aspx?lml_language_id=0&trs_id=1573000&ID=10403