Post by Salem6 on Apr 1, 2007 11:17:45 GMT
Despite seeing Del Piero’s penalty saved, Juventus eventually scraped a 1-0 victory away to little Pescara. The break for international duty did not do the Bianconeri good, as the first half at the Stadio Adriatico was a sluggish affair. Zalayeta failed to make the most of a defensive error and then Polito turned his right-foot strike just past the post. Juventus thought they would take the lead before half-time when Marchionni’s shot was charged down by an arm, but Pescara goalkeeper Polito performed a fantastic save to deny World Cup winner Del Piero’s penalty.
Didier Deschamps must have shaken the walls with his talk, as it was a different team that came back out. Nedved fired two chances inches off target and Polito again saved from a Del Piero left-foot strike. Juve were pouring forward and finally found a way past the impressive Polito when substitute Birindelli got in front of Paponetti to meet Palladino’s corner kick 16 minutes from time. Rigoni tried to snatch a shock equaliser from a free kick, but Polito kept out Del Piero again in stoppages.
Scorers: Birindelli 74 (J)
Missed penalty: Del Piero 40 (J)
Pescara: Polito; Demartis, Delli Carri, Olivieri, Zoppetti; Antonelli (Rigoni 74), Luci, De Falco, La Vista (Martini 83); Vantaggiato, Russo (Paponetti 67)
Juventus: Buffon; Zebina (Birindelli 59), Boumsong, Chiellini, Balzaretti; Marchionni (Palladino 67), Giannichedda, Zanetti, Nedved; Zalayeta (Marchisio 82), Del Piero
Ref: Girardi
Attendance: 17,503
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/breps32.html