Post by Salem6 on Apr 20, 2008 15:07:04 GMT
Serie A Week 34 - 20/4/08 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta 0 - 4 Juventus
Legrottaglie 1 (J), Del Piero 6, 34, 65 (J)
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia
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Alessandro Del Piero conquered Atalanta with a stunning hat-trick plus an assist for Nicola Legrottaglie.
Gigi Del Neri hoped to end his career taboo against Juve, though the Bergamo side had precious little else to play for with mid-table comfort assured. Cristiano Doni continued to sit out his ban along with the injured Costinha, Zlatan Muslimovic and Jose Talamonti, but Antonio Langella returned. Juve missed Momo Sissoko, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Giorgio Chiellini.
The Bianconeri had won their two of their previous three trips to Atalanta and hadn't lost here since March 2001. The Orobici needed to bolster their attack after scoring just once in their last five games.
Within the opening 47 seconds Juventus were in front! Alessandro Del Piero's free kick got a glancing header off Nicola Legrottaglie. The defender celebrated by showing his Italian version of the famous Brazilian 'I belong to Jesus' shirt.
Juve made it 2-0 soon after. David Trezeguet held up Mauro Camoranesi's cross for the totally unmarked Del Piero to volley in from six yards.
Trezeguet almost bagged a third and was closed down by Ferdinando Coppola, but Atalanta finally woke up after 20 minutes with Giampaolo Bellini's left-foot screamer whistling wide.
The Orobici were pushing forward, but this left space on the counter and Del Piero ran on to Cristiano Zanetti's pass to fire with the inside of his right foot into the near bottom corner.
Sergio Floccari's header skimmed the upright, but Del Piero almost completed a first half hat-trick with his left-foot attempt deflected over by Claudio Rivalta.
Substitute Simone Padoin had a good chance with practically his first kick of the game, while Zanetti smashed a half-volley just wide from distance.
Del Piero threatened again, bringing a save out of Coppola's outstretched foot.
The Bianconeri captain finally got his hat-trick on 65 minutes with a splendid half-volley from nine yards set up by Trezeguet.
Gigi Buffon blocked a Floccari overhead kick, but the game was effectively over.
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Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Manfredini, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, Guarente (De Ascentis 71), Langella (Padoin 46); Floccari, Paolucci (Marconi 46)
Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Stendardo, Molinaro; Camoranesi (Marchionni 71), Nocerino, Zanetti (Tiago 62), Nedved; Del Piero (Palladino 77), Trezeguet
Ref: Trefoloni
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0708/ata-juv.html