Post by Salem6 on Feb 24, 2008 9:21:08 GMT
Serie A Week 24 - 23/2/08 (19.30 UK)
Reggina 2 - 1 Juventus
Brienza 32 (R), Del Piero 71 (J), Amoruso pen 93 (R)
Stadio Granillo
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Juventus are furious after a 2-1 stoppage time defeat at Reggina with a very soft penalty, especially after Momo Sissoko was denied a clear spot-kick.
The Bianconeri were back in the race for a top two finish after defeating Roma last weekend, while Reggina remained in the bottom two following a fourth straight defeat. Antonio Nocerino was suspended, so Momo Sissoko got his first Juve start, but David Trezeguet, Gigi Buffon and Vincenzo Iaquinta did not even make the trip due to injury. This meant Emanuele Belardi returned to face the side he represented for eight seasons.
There had never been a draw in this fixture with two home wins and four for the Turin giants. Reggina had the first chance after five minutes when Nicola Legrottaglie charged down a powerful Nicola Amoruso strike inside the box.
Cristian Molinaro got to the byeline and cut back for Alessandro Del Piero, but the captain got the ball trapped under his feet and allowed Salvatore Aronica to clear from five yards.
Belardi was forced to work hard against his old teammates, one strong hand turning Francesco Modesto's daisy-cutter round the post. Giorgio Chiellini used his strength to keep Amoruso away from Luca Vigiani's header back across the face of goal.
Sissoko really should have scored his debut Serie A goal on 27 minutes. A Del Piero free kick ricocheted into his path from six yards, but the former Liverpool midfielder ballooned well over the bar.
Sissoko was also less than impressive when Reggina took a shock lead soon after. His poor clearance was hit back into the box by Cirillo for Franco Brienza to spring the offside trap and thump a low finish past the stranded Belardi.
Pavel Nedved had penalty appeals waved away for a coming together with Valdez and probably had a point as the defender wrapped his arms around his neck and jumped on the Juventus midfielder.
Another Sissoko error failed to make the most of a Mauro Camoranesi assist and after the break Nedved's right-foot angled drive flashed across the upright. Legrottaglie accidentally deflected the Czech's shot off target.
Sissoko combined with Nedved and the Mali international was brought down in the box, but the referee refused to give what appeared to be a clear penalty for the Valdez trip.
Juve were a completely different side in this second half and Camoranesi drilled over from distance and Chiellini nodded Cristiano Zanetti's cross just wide.
Reggina mainly sat back to protect their advantage, Barreto curling a free kick over the bar in a rare foray forward.
On 66 minutes Andrea Campagnolo flew to palm a fierce Nedved screamer from 20 metres out from under the crossbar. A splended team move sent Camoranesi clear, but his first touch was poor and the chance went begging.
Juventus did eventually equalise, but much of the credit - or blame - went to goalkeeper Campagnolo. Del Piero hit a left-foot snapshot from distance and the Reggina man got down a bit late, letting the ball squirm underneath his body.
Del Piero had another go moments later, but this time Campagnolo was careful and pushed it round the base of the near post. However, from the resulting corner he missed the ball and Chiellini nodded over.
Nedved horribly scuffed a good chance set up by Camoranesi, then Campagnolo pushed a powerful Zanetti effort round the upright. It was a siege, yet Belardi had to be alert to smother an Amoruso counter.
Five minutes from time a diving Camoranesi header was deflected inches past the post off Aronica's arm, but it was close to his body and not considered a penalty offence. Another handling offence was waved away in the final minute
There was already controversy earlier for a clear penalty not awarded to Juve, but in stoppages the referee gave a soft spot-kick against the Bianconeri. Sissoko's attempted overhead kick clearance saw him hit Amoruso in the shoulder, but he was watching the ball and probably didn't even see the striker. Juve were livid and protested for many minutes, but former Bianconeri hitman Amoruso converted the penalty by sending Belardi the wrong way.
To make matters worse, the referee blew the final whistle with 40 seconds still to go. Zanetti lost his head and kicked out at Amoruso, earning a straight red card.
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Reggina: Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Valdez, Aronica; Cirillo, Cascione (Tognozzi 63), Barreto, Modesto (Costa 82); Vigiani, Brienza (Makinwa 86); Amoroso
Juventus: Belardi; Grygera (Salihamidzic 61), Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, C Zanetti, Sissoko, Nedved; Del Piero, Palladino
Ref: Dondarini
Sent off: Zanetti 93 (J)
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0708/reg-juv.html