Post by Salem6 on Sept 18, 2008 12:16:52 GMT
Champions League, Gp H Matchday 1 - 17/9/08 (19.45 UK)
Juventus 1 - 0 Zenit
Del Piero 76 (J)
Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Juventus defeated Zenit 1-0 in Turin thanks to a sensational Alessandro Del Piero free kick.
The Bianconeri returned to the Champions League two years after the Calciopoli scandal and started out against the reigning UEFA and European Super Cup holders from Russia. Claudio Ranieri 'rewarded' those who got them here by fielding only one summer signing in the starting XI, Christian Poulsen, and sticking with the old guard. Giorgio Chiellini recovered from injury ahead of time to play in central defence.
Zenit had a great chance on 10 minutes, as Denisof headed a cross back across the face of goal for the totally unmarked Denny, who incredibly side-footed it wide from six yards!
David Trezeguet's glancing header from an Alessandro Del Piero cross drifted inches wide of the far post. Momo Sissoko had a powerful effort charged down by the defence and moments later Zdenek Grygera received huge cheers for a crucial tackle to stop a dangerous counter-attack.
Del Piero went on a slalom through the Zenit defence, dribbling between three inside the box before the fourth cleared the danger. It was some magnificent footwork from the veteran, who rolled the ball round with the underside of his foot.
Del Piero was wreaking havoc and earned a free kick a few metres in front of the corner flag. He curled it to the near post where Mauro Camoranesi's header cracked against the woodwork.
Unfortunately, Camoranesi picked up a right ankle injury and limped off to make way for Hasan Salihamidzic just half an hour into the match.
Grygera was again decisive as he cleared Pogrebnyak's cross when Gigi Buffon had been cut out. Grygera also went forward and his run was halted by a well-timed Puygrenier tackle in the box.
Zenit had a sustained period of pressure as they came out fighting for the second half in Turin. Buffon made his first real save of the night, rushing out and using his body to charge down full-back Radek Sirl as he half-volleyed an Andrei Arshavin ball over the top.
Paolo De Ceglie replaced Cristian Molinaro and, despite soaking up pressure for much of the half, Juventus went closest to a goal. Nedved's free kick found a Poulsen flicked header for a fantastic low Malafeev save.
Del Piero had been the star of the show and gave Juventus the lead with an absolutely stunning strike. He saw the goalkeeper off his line and absolutely smashed a 30-yard free kick under the crossbar to startle Zenit! It was a magnificent goal from the captain.
Danny's side-footed angled drive skimmed the base of the far post after going through a sea of legs, though Dominguez's free kick was comfortably controlled by Buffon.
Chiellini did very well to hold his ground and not fall for Arshavin's tricky footwork inside the box.
Amauri replaced Trezeguet late on and Sissoko tested Malafeev from distance. In stoppages, Amauri rolled across for Del Piero, who came sliding in just a moment too late to make contact.
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Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro (De Ceglie 56); Camoranesi (Salihamidzic 31), Sissoko, Poulsen, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet (Amauri 87)
Zenit: Malafeev; Sirl, Krizanac, Puygrenier, Anyukov; Denisov, Tymoshchuk, Zyryanov (Dominguez 79); Arshavin, Danny; Pogrebnyak
Ref: De Bleeckere (Bel)
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/eurogames/juv-zen.html