Post by Salem6 on Oct 22, 2007 14:40:51 GMT
Serie A Week 7 - 7/10/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina 1 - 1 Juventus
Iaquinta 23 (J), Mutu pen 88 (F)
Stadio Franchi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian Mutu's late penalty stopped his former club from conquering the Stadio Franchi in a tense but entertaining encounter.
One of Serie A's most bitter rivalries resumed after a year's absence for the Calciopoli scandal and found both clubs battling for second place. The Viola were still feeling the strain of Thursday's UEFA Cup victory on penalties against Groningen, while the Bianconeri were fresh from the 1-0 Turin derby win and welcomed back Jonathan Zebina from his ban, but Cristiano Zanetti was suspended. Surprisingly, Alessandro Del Piero was left on the bench in favour of Vincenzo Iaquinta.
Fiorentina had not won this fixture since a 1-0 result in December 1998. Gianluigi Buffon rushed out to clear an Adrian Mutu pass off Franco Semioli's feet, but Mutu went for glor himself soon after with an absolutely sensational volley from 25 metres that skimmed the crossbar.
Mutu had a free header over from a corner, but it was Juventus who took the lead with their first real opportunity. Dario Dainelli and Alessandro Gamberini collided as they tried to close down David Trezeguet, leaving Iaquinta unmarked to thump home the loose ball with the inside of his right foot. However, there were suspicions of offside, as Trezeguet impaired Sebastien Frey's view.
Buffon needed quick reactions to kick away a deflected Riccardo Montolivo strike with his trailing foot, as the ball changed direction at the last moment. As Fiorentina poured forward, Juve almost struck on the counter with Frey flying to push a Pavel Nedved rocket over the bar.
Cesare Prandelli introduced Christian Vieri for Kuzmanovic, making Fiorentina an extremely attacking line-up. It was now a very open game with Buffon blocking Mutu's quickly-taken free kick and Frey sticking out a leg to parry Trezeguet's angled drive.
Dainelli soared above the crowd to meet a Semioli cross from the left, but the header was over the bar.
Juventus had three chances to score in one move. Nedved's cross missed Trezeguet, Frey used his feet to deny Hasan Salihamidzic and Trezeguet turned the loose ball wide.
Prandelli gave Antony Vanden Borre his Serie A debut and Del Piero was givn the final 13 minutes to make an impact. Mutu had another free kick charged down and turned a header from the resulting corner over the bar.
Just 120 seconds from time Nicola Legrottaglie's arm blocked a Vieri header and the referee pointed to the spot. Mutu faced his former Juve teammate and, although Buffon got the right angle, the shot went in at the near post.
The tension was at breaking point and Vieri's scuffle with Giorgio Chiellini saw both go into the book.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Dainelli, Balzaretti; Kuzmanovic (Vieri 46), Donadel, Montolivo; Semioli (Vanden Borre 67), Pazzini (Gobbi 67), Mutu
Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Almiron, Nedved (Palladino 71); Iaquinta (Del Piero 77), Trezeguet
Ref: Rizzoli
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0708/fio-juv.html