Post by Salem6 on Aug 9, 2007 12:03:43 GMT
In the first game of the triangular Birra Moretti Cup, a second mini-half goal from Alessandro Del Piero gave an attack-minded Juventus side the win over hosts SSC Napoli...
Juventus pulled off a somewhat narrow win over hosts Napoli in Game 1 of the Birra Moretti Cup earlier this evening.
Alessandro Del Piero's strike in the second half of a 45 minute game did for the hosts, who couldn't come back after the veteran's matchwinning goal.
Juve countered Napoli's 3-5-2 with an adventurous three-man front line, comprising Del Piero, Iaquinta and Trezeguet; Ranieri's tactical tinkering was in fact to pay off.
But Napoli in fact started the better side. Domizzi came extremely close early on with a beautiful strike that Belardi had to claw clear of goal.
Juve came back into it, mostly up the right flank, but failed to carve out a first half opening.
Into the second "mini half" of 22 minutes, Del Piero drew back slightly to provide a more clear connection between midfield and attack.
But it was not the experienced attacker's build-up play that was to win the match; rather, his opportunism.
Seizing the ball at distance, his long, law shot surprised Iezzo in the home goal, and the Napoli keeper could only watch as the ball careered into the net.
Winded by this shock goal, Napoli were unable to muster a response, giving Juve a morale-boosting win.
Napoli: Iezzo; Maldonado, Cannavaro, Domizzi; Garics, Hamsik, Gargano, Dalla Bona, Savini; Lavezzi, Calaiò.
Yellow Cards: Domizzi
Juventus: Belardi; Birindelli, Andrade, Criscito, Molinaro; Nocerino; Almiron, Tiago; Iaquinta, Trezeguet, Del Piero.
Goal: Del Piero 30
Yellow Cards: Criscito, Tiago
Referee: Di Prato
goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=376962