Post by Salem6 on Nov 11, 2008 8:12:01 GMT
Serie A Week 11 - 9/11/08 (14.00 UK)
Chievo 0 - 2 Juventus
Del Piero 40 (J), Iaquinta 54 (J)
Stadio Bentegodi
Birthday boy Alessandro Del Piero celebrated with another spectacular free kick as Juventus continue their splendid form.
Alessandro Del Piero was ready to celebrate his 34th birthday and the 377th Serie A appearance in a Juve jersey, putting him level with legend Gaetano Scirea. His brace had also allowed them to beat Real 2-0 in Madrid midweek for a sixth win on the bounce. All this was achieved despite an injury crisis that hit David Trezeguet, Gigi Buffon, Zdenek Grygera, Mauro Camoranesi, Hasan Salihamidzic, Cristiano Zanetti and Christian Poulsen. Pavel Nedved was rested, so Paolo De Ceglie stepped in.
Chievo wanted to rain on Del Piero's parade on the debut of new Coach Domenico Di Carlo, who replaced Beppe Iachini after three points from their last nine games. In the Bianconeri's total six previous visits to the Bentegodi, they had won five and drawn once, 1-1 in 2005-06.
In the opening minute there were penalty appeals for a Tiago Mendes handling offence, but it was ball-to-hand as Christian Molinaro's clearance clattered into him.
Del Piero went on a mazy run to spark Momo Sissoko's daisy-cutter just wide of the upright. Chievo should have taken the lead on 10 minutes when Mauro Esposito sprung the offside trap and crossed for Sergio Pellissier to volley wide from six yards.
Vincenzo Iaquinta's audacious overhead kick was off target, while Antonio Langella failed to make the most of Olof Mellberg's mistake. Alex Manninger sprinted out to clear Esposito's pass off the feet of Langella and Del Piero curled one of his trademark strikes off target.
Mario Yepes brought down Del Piero from 20 metres and the birthday boy curled in another magnificent free kick! It was identical to the one scored against Real Madrid on Wednesday and a fine way to celebrate his 34th birthday, the right-foot effort dipping into the near top corner.
However, there was a brawl at the half-time whistle when Sissoko sneakily kicked out at Yepes after the ball had gone, but the Juventus midfielder got away with it because the referee did not spot the gesture. Claudio Ranieri realised the former Liverpool man was running a huge risk and substituted him for teenager Albin Ekdal.
Mantovani's handling offence to stop Iaquinta controlling a Del Piero knockdown gave Juventus a penalty. The captain gave the chance to take it to Iaquinta, whose spot-kick was saved with one strong hand by Stefano Sorrentino, but he managed to turn in the rebound.
Sorrentino punched away a Del Piero free kick, while Chievo thought they too deserved a penalty for Nicola Legrottaglie's handling offence to block Iunco's cross.
Pellissier did not give in and came sliding in from four yards to prod a Iunco cross wide! Amauri tried to get a late goal against his former club, but his low drive was saved by Sorrentino. Grygera went even closer, a screamer from 30 metres smashing against the bar.
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Chievo: Sorrentino; Malago', Mandelli, Yepes, Mantovani; Pinzi, Bentivoglio, Marcolini, Langella (Iunco 63); Pellissier, Esposito (Luciano 63)
Juventus: Manninger; Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko (Ekdal 46), Tiago (Grygera 83), De Ceglie; Del Piero (Amauri 87), Iaquinta
Ref: Banti
Missed penalty: Iaquinta 54 (J)
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/chi-juv.html