Post by Salem6 on Oct 22, 2007 14:40:08 GMT
Serie A Week 6 - 30/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Torino 0 - 1 Juventus
Trezeguet 93 (J)
Stadio Olimpico
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A tense battle of a Turin derby was decided by a classic David Trezeguet poachers' goal deep into stoppages.
The Derby della Mole was last played in 2003, but Toro were looking for their first 'home' victory since 1995 and were without a win at all yet this season. The suspended Walter Novellino was joined in the stands by injured hero Alessandro Rosina, Ivan Franceschini, Nikola Lazetic, Tommaso Vailatti, Roberto Stellone and Marco Di Loreto.
Juve also had problems to contend with, as on-form striker Vincenzo Iaquinta, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Jorge Andrade, Mauro Camoranesi, Marco Marchionni and the banned Jonathan Zebina were sidelined, so Giorgio Chiellini was in central defence. Fresh from a 4-0 demolition of Reggina on Wednesday, confidence was high and the top spots within sight.
The Stadio Olimpico was a spectacle with huge choreographies covering the curve - the ends of the stadium where the hardline fans congregate. Unfortunately there were clashes between fans and police a few hours before kick-off.
David Trezeguet had the first attempt on target after 55 seconds, Matteo Sereni beating away the sudden snapshot for a corner. Toro had plenty of the ball, but Juve had the best chances, as Pavel Nedved and Trezeguet got in each others' way to head a Raffaele Palladino cross wide.
Sereni captured a low Palladino ball for Trezeguet on the counter, but Nedved was booked for a foul on Gianluca Comotto. From that set-piece Alvaro Recoba swung a left-foot effort towards the far corner, but it ricocheted off teammate Nicola Ventola.
Vince Grella was carded for a dangerous tackle on Cristian Molinaro, while Paolo Hernan Dellafiore lost the ball to Alessandro Del Piero, but was able to get another touch to let Sereni close him down.
There was a defensive mess on 32 minutes. Paolo Zanetti threaded through for Recoba and after Nicola Legrottaglie's failed clearance, Gigi Buffon stuck out a long leg to anticipate Il Chino for a corner.
The tension was rising and Eugenio Corini was lucky he escaped punishment after pulling Nedved's hair during an argument. Sereni smothered a Palladino snapshot from distance, then Del Piero headed on for Nedved and Trezeguet couldn't turn in around the six-yard box. Buffon did well to intercept another smart Recoba pass for Simone Barone.
Del Piero went on a splendid solo run, turning between two defenders with a nutmeg and was ready to pull the trigger when he was hacked down by Comotto. Straight after the restart there was panic for Juventus. Recoba's cross-shot found Comotto, but Buffon threw himself over the ball and got kicked in the head for his troubles.
Cristiano Zanetti bravely intercepted a Recoba cutback for Ventola, then Buffon plucked Chino's cross off the striker's head. Sergio Almiron replaced Cristiano Zanetti, while Cesare Natali suffered a suspected thigh strain and made way for Matteo Rubin, moving Salvatore Lanna to central defence.
Buffon fingertipped a Ventola looping header out from under the crossbar on 20-year-old substitute Rubin's cross from the left. Molinaro intervened with a crucial challenge to put the ball out for a corner as Recoba's curling cross was heading straight for substitute Marco Motta at the back post.
Buffon came out for the ball but had to dribble it into his own area so he could grab it, all the while under serious pressure from Rubin. Hasan Salihamidzic combined well with Del Piero, but the cross was just past Trezeguet. Dellafiore closed down the Frenchman in another move.
Juve had their best chance of the game so far five minutes from time. Del Piero drew Comotto out wide and threaded through for the on-rushing Nedved, but he ballooned over from nine yards.
The game seemed to be moving towards a 0-0 finish when deep into stoppages Trezeguet proved he is a goal poacher like no other. A misplaced back-header from Dellafiore looped into the air and Trez hit a fantastic volley from the edge of the area to give Juventus the lead! He was offside on the first pass, but as the eventual assist came from a Toro defender, he was kept in play.
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Torino: Sereni; Comotto, Natali (Rubin 69), Dellafiore, Lanna; P Zanetti (Motta 76), Corini, Barone, Grella; Recoba; Ventola (Bjelanovic 87)
Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Palladino (Salihamidzic 79), Nocerino, C Zanetti (Almiron 69), Nedved; Trezeguet, Del Piero
Ref: Rocchi
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0708/tor-juv.html