Post by Salem6 on Apr 7, 2007 9:11:01 GMT
TURIN, Italy (AP) -- Juventus was held to a 1-1 draw by Albinoleffe on Friday, reducing its lead at the top of the Serie B standings to four points.
Albinoleffe took the lead in the 32nd minute when Francesco Ruopolo ran onto Roberto Bonazzi's chip to shoot from just inside the area. Juventus defender Federico Balzaretti equalized six minutes later with a 20-meter volley.
Juventus, which was docked nine points in the Italian match-fixing scandal, leads Italy's second division with 59 points, four more than Genoa.
Juventus has played one game less than Genoa and faces Napoli on Tuesday.
Juventus was twice prevented from scoring again by Albinoleffe goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, who blocked successive shots by Balzaretti and Raffaele Palladino in the 20th.
Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi dominated the midfield and controlled the game. Camoranesi was warmly applauded by the fans when he was substituted by striker Valeri Bojinov in the 63rd.
Nedved's enthusiasm got the better of him in the 31st when he received a yellow card for barging an Albinoleffe player off the ball.
A minute later, Bonazzi surprised Juve's defense with a pass over his left shoulder and Ruopolo beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with a shot into the top left hand corner of the net.
Balzaretti scored his second goal of the season after Marchetti punched away Palladino's cross, which Camoranesi tried to head.
Nedved also hit the side netting with a powerful strike just before halftime.
David Trezeguet returned from suspension to spearhead the Juventus' attack alongside Palladino but was overshadowed by his young strike partner.
Trezeguet headed wide in the 47th and 53rd with his two best chances.
Bojinov almost won the game seven minutes from the end but his header hit the left post.
Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero, the Serie B's top scorer with 15 goals, was rested for the game.
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/04/06/bc.eu.spt.soc.italianro.ap/