Post by Salem6 on Feb 27, 2008 6:47:17 GMT
Serie A Week 25 - 26/2/08 (19.30 UK)
Juventus 0-0 Torino
Stadio Olimpico
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Juventus and Torino shared the spoils in a tense and entertaining Derby della Mole which could have gone either way, although Juve midfielder Pavel Nedved was sent off in stoppage time.
The Old Lady needed a win to keep their second place hopes alive, while Torino were hoping to bag their first derby win in 13 years.
Juve had to do without top scorer David Trezeguet, out with flu, while central midfielder Cristiano Zanetti was suspended. The Granata had no major absentees, but Walter Novellino left Alessandro Rosina and David Di Michele on the bench.
Pavel Nedved broke into the box and crossed with his right foot, but Vincenzo Iaquinta was closed down by Marco Di Loreto. Toro were looking to hit on the break and Alvaro Recoba missed a good chance when Nicola Legrottaglie played him onside.
Cesare Natali collided with his teammate Matteo Sereni and was forced to make way for Ivan Dellafiore. On 28 minutes Iaquinta’s header was kept out by Sereni, before Alessandro Del Piero’s free-kick went inches wide of the near post.
Moments later Raffaele Palladino’s effort from inside the box was just off target. Recoba tried to surprise Gianluigi Buffon before the interval directly from a corner kick, but the Bianconeri ‘keeper made a fine save.
The Bianconeri were in control for most of the first half, but didn’t create the kind of openings which could have earned them all three points, while Toro handled the pressure and looked dangerous on the break.
Straight after the restart Aimo Diana picked up an injury so Rosina stepped in with the Granata switching to a more offensive 4-3-2-1 formation. Del Piero could have brought the Bianconeri ahead with a screamer from just outside the box, but was denied by Sereni. On 54 minutes Giorgio Chiellini saw yellow for holding back Rosina.
Palladino found a gap in the Granata defence and his volley hit the back of the net, but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag. Soon after Antonio Nocerino took the place of the Neapolitan striker and was booked for a dive inside the box.
Sereni was at the centre of the action again when he cleared away a powerful free-kick from Del Piero. But Rosina went close to score the opener few minutes later and was unlucky when stunning set piece smashed against the bar.
Czech ace Nedved was set up by Mauro Camoranesi but missed a good chance with 10 minutes to go, before Chiellini and Iaquinta were unable finish after Camoranesi’s effort had been deflected by Toro’s No 1.
The night was spoiled somewhat when Nedved saw red in stoppage time after pulling Gianluca Comotto’s hair, while Del Piero failed to convert a last minute free-kick which went well over the bar.
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Juventus: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Palladino (Nocerino 62), Camoranesi, Sissoko, Nedved; Iaquinta, Del Piero
Torino: Sereni; Comotto, Di Loreto, Natali (Dellafiore 27), Pisano; Diana (Rosina 47), Barone, Grella, P Zanetti; Stellone, Recoba (Lanna 81)
Ref: Rizzoli
Sent off: Nedved 90 (J)
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0708/juv-tor.html