Post by Salem6 on Jan 19, 2009 8:44:19 GMT
Serie A Week 19 - 18/1/09 (19.30 UK)
Lazio 1 - 1 Juventus
Ledesma 25 (L), Mellberg 30 (J)
Stadio Olimpico
Juventus only close the gap from Inter to three points, as Olof Mellberg cancelled out Cristian Ledesma's Lazio opener for a 1-1 draw.
The Bianconeri had the chance to close within a point of stuttering leaders Inter, but faced a tricky test at the Olimpico against a Lazio side coming off two straight wins. The trident was kicking into gear with Goran Pandev's hat-trick at Reggina last week, which was especially bad news for a Juventus defence in turmoil. With Zdenek Grygera suspended and an injury list that included Giorgio Chiellini, Gigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi, Hasan Salihamidzic, Jonathan Zebina, Dario Knezevic and striker David Trezeguet, they trusted youth team defender Lorenzo Ariaudo on his Serie A debut.
Lazio hadn't beaten Juve in Serie A in seven meetings, managing just two draws. The Bianconeri played with last year's blue away strip rather than the gold one, as they won here last season with that jersey. 007 actor Daniel Craig was in the stands of the Olimpico.
The home side took the initiative early on and Christian Molinaro had to clear Stefan Radu's cross before it got to Goran Pandev. Mauro Zarate's series of tricks confused three Juve defenders, but he hogged the ball too long and was eventually dispossessed.
Alex Manninger smothered a weak Lichtsteiner shot and Nicola Legrottaglie did well to block a low Zarate cross for Rocchi.
The goal was in the air and Cristian Ledesma scored it with a cheeky free kick. Manninger was expecting the cross, but the set piece floated over him and ricocheted in off the inside of the far post as he flapped weakly at it. The goalkeeper went off his line and was left stranded.
It should've been 2-0 less than 60 seconds later. Rocchi sprung the offside trap and the angled drive struck Manninger's stomach at the base of the near post, then Goran Pandev came sliding on to the loose ball and incredibly turned it over an open goal!
Juve fought back and equalised with a powerful Olof Mellberg header from Marco Marchionni's corner kick. The former Aston Villa defender was unmarked from the penalty spot and put it right between the goalkeeper and near post.
Lazio were furious when they felt Pavel Nedved had jumped with his arm high, elbowing Lichsteiner, but the defender played on with blood pouring from his nose. Nedved was then anticipated by Mourad Meghni as he ran on to a loose ball in the box.
There was a misunderstanding when Rozehnal cleared a cross from Del Piero that Juan Pablo Carrizo had called, risking an own goal.
Straight after the restart Momo Sissoko burst through the middle with a change of pace and Carrizo was at full stretch to spill it, but Diakhite' protected it from the follow-up.
Carrizo smothered a Marco Marchionni snapshot, Amauri had penalty appeals for a tussle with Lichtsteiner, who then charged down Nedved's volley. Amauri nodded over as Juve laid siege to the Lazio area in this second half.
Zarate tried to ease the pressure with a solo effort, but he fired wide after riding Sissoko's tackle. Ariaudo cut in front of Rocchi to intercept Lichtsteiner's cutback in the six-yard box. Cristian Brocchi replaced the tired Meghni.
Cristiano Zanetti's deflected strike floated over the bar and Carrizo caught Amauri's header from the resulting corner. Christian Molinaro went into the book for bringing down Zarate and will be suspended for next week's clash with Fiorentina.
Del Piero sprung the offside trap on Nedved's intelligent through ball that nutmegged Ousmane Dabo, but Carrizo was alert and rushed out to close the door.
Radu was booked for bringing down Amauri after a marvellous slalom, but at the other end Zarate was charging towards the box when he slipped under pressure from Molinaro. The Argentine was visibly irritated when he was replaced by Pasquale Foggia soon after.
Manninger rushed off his line to take the ball off Pandev's feet from seven yards. Sebastian Giovinco replaced Del Piero with nine minutes left on the clock.
Sissoko was also booked and will be banned against Fiorentina. There was a good chance when Amauri's header was charged down from eight yards.
Juventus nearly won it in spectacular fashion on 86 minutes, as Nicola Legrottaglie made a rare foray forward and his blazing volley from 25 metres - clocked at 90km/h - smacked against the upright!
At the other end Mellberg rose to prod a dangerous cross off Rocchi's head, although he was behind the Italian striker.
There was controversy deep into stoppages when Rocchi went on the counter and rolled across for Foggia to tap in at the back post, but as he came sliding in with Molinaro, he missed by inches and claimed he had been held back.
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Lazio: Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Diakhite', Rozehnal, Radu; Dabo (De Silvestri 70), Ledesma, Meghni (Brocchi 63); Pandev, Rocchi, Zarate (Foggia 77)
Juventus: Manninger; Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Ariaudo, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko, Zanetti (Marchisio 70), Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero (Giovinco 81)
Ref: Morganti
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/laz-juv.html