Post by Salem6 on Jan 12, 2009 9:39:03 GMT
Serie A Week 18 - 11/1/09 (14.00 UK)
Juventus 1 - 0 Siena
Del Piero 33 (J)
Stadio Olimpico
A sensational Alessandro Del Piero free kick has put Juventus within four points of leaders Inter, but it was hardly a vintage performance.
The Bianconeri knew of Inter's 1-1 draw with Cagliari last night and had the chance to close the gap on the leaders, but were without the injured Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi, Gigi Buffon, David Trezeguet, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Hasan Salihamidzic, Jonathan Zebina, Tiago Mendes and Dario Knezevic. Olof Mellberg recovered just in time to fill the gaps in defence.
Siena had given Inter a scare before Christmas and were still fuming over refereeing decisions, especially as his protests cost Gianluca Curci a two-match ban. The Tuscans had previously lost all five trips to Turin and had Massimo Maccarone ruled out with an ankle problem.
Marco Marchionni snatched at a volley from 10 yards, then Emanuele Calaio' had penalty appeals waved away for a handling offence, as Nicola Legrottaglie's arm was across his torso.
Houssine Kharja's effort hit the side-netting and Juve struggled to break down a solid Siena. When Alessandro Del Piero was sent through by Amauri, his shot was too timid to trouble Emanuele Manitta.
Del Piero changed the game, though, with one of his classic free kicks that have become a firm fixture of Juve's season. His 162nd Serie A goal was a curler into the near corner that Manitta got a hand to, but couldn't keep out.
Mellberg needed a crucial tackle to cut short Mario Frick's progress and the former Aston Villa defender also went close to scoring with a central header.
After the restart another Del Piero free kick whizzed over the bar and Amauri scuffed a header from Zdenek Grygera's cross.The Brazilian then held up the ball for Del Piero to hit the side-netting on the counter.
Siena took their first corner kick after 75 minutes of play, but Juve had not put the result under lock and key, so there were late scares. Alex Manninger fumbled a Ghezzal low drive and it squirmed inches past the upright. On the corner another Ghezzal attempt was charged down, but the Bianconeri clung on.
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Juventus: Manninger; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Mellberg, Molinaro; Marchionni (De Ceglie 79), Sissoko (Zanetti 65), Marchisio (Poulsen 85), Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero
Siena: Manitta; Del Prete (Zuniga 86), Brandao, Portanova, Del Grosso; Jarolim, Codrea (Packer 71), Galloppa; Kharja; Ghezzal, Calaiò (Frick 59)
Ref: Russo
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/juv-sie.html