Post by Salem6 on Feb 3, 2009 8:29:07 GMT
Serie A Week 22 - 31/1/09 (19.45 UK)
Juventus 2 - 3 Cagliari
Biondini 16 (C), Sissoko 31 (J), Nedved 38 (J), Jeda 54 (C), Matri 77 (C)
Stadio Olimpico
Juventus fell to their shock second consecutive defeat, as Cagliari emerged victorious from a five-goal thriller in Turin - the first such result in over 40 years.
The Bianconeri's title hopes took a battering with their midweek 2-1 defeat to Udinese, but they welcomed a Cagliari side that had won three on the trot, including a 4-1 triumph away to Lazio. Ale Del Piero and Giorgio Chiellini returned, but Jonathan Zebina, Dario Knezevic, Mauro Camoranesi, Hasan Salihamidzic, Alex Manninger and Tiago Mendes were still out.
The Sardinians' last victory in Turin was in November 1968 and they welcomed back goalkeeper Federico Marchetti from a ban.
Nicola Legrottaglie had the first real chance after 12 minutes when he was at full stretch for a volley, but he brought a splendid reaction save out of Marchetti.
From the resulting corner a fantastic opportunity went begging. Momo Sissoko and Amauri exchanged chipped passes for the former Liverpool midfielder's volley just wide of the upright.
Cagliari took a shock lead soon after. A long sweeping cross to the back post found Davide Biondini, who took advantage of Marco Marchionni's error to nod in off the inside of the upright. Gigi Buffon was left rooted to the spot.
Del Piero's header looped over the bar from Marchionni's cross, but it got even worse for Juve when Cristiano Zanetti collapsed with a suspected thigh strain. He was so angry that he took off his shirt and simply sat on the sidelines while Claudio Marchisio warmed up.
While the Bianconeri had 10 men on the field, Jeda went on a slalom through the defence that only failed to earn a goal thanks to Robert Acquafresca's slip.
Del Piero's effort was deflected out for a corner and from that set piece Sissoko rose above the crowd for a glancing header towards the far post. It was a morale-boosting equaliser for the Bianconeri, who had been under pressure.
Michele Fini volleyed off target, but Juventus completed their comeback with veteran Pavel Nedved. Christian Molinaro just about kept the ball in play and a shot was charged down by Daniele Conti, effectively setting up a fierce Nedved strike from eight yards that flew in at the near bottom corner.
It was almost 3-1, but when Amauri went rode a tackle and rolled across to the centre, Del Piero just failed to make contact. Amauri, who received his debut Brazil call today, went on another slalom that was charged down from close range as he went to set up Del Piero again.
After the restart, Cagliari equalised. Andrea Cossu sprung the offside trap just past the centre circle and placed a perfect cross with the outside of his right foot for the unmarked Jeda, who kept his cool to stroke past Buffon.
Alessandro Matri replaced Acquafresca to bring fresh legs to the Sardinian attack. Amauri sparked a counter that Del Piero fired wide of the near post with a deflection off a defender.
Moments later Nicola Legrottaglie knocked down the ball for Nedved's angled drive that flashed across the face of goal. Vincenzo Iaquinta replaced Marchionni for a very attack-minded formation. Marchetti captured a towering but central Amauri header.
Cagliari introduced Andrea Lazzari, who has scored five goals against Juve in his career, and with his first touch a deflected effort dribbled inches past the near post.
There was more bad injury news, as Chiellini went off for Zdenek Grygera, sending Olof Mellberg into the centre of defence. Both sides had good chances in 30 seconds, as first Molinaro intercepted a smart cross, then Del Piero was brought down in the D after a strong solo run. The captain curled his free kick off target.
Cagliari took the lead for the second time in this match! It was a classic counter-attack started and finished by Matri. He passed out wide for Lazzari, who immediately knocked it back into his path to fire past Buffon totally unmarked just inside the area.
Sissoko's attempt was charged down, but in the final 10 minutes Juve seemed just as likely to concede as they were to score, leaving huge gaps at the back. Marchetti smartly intercepted Del Piero's cross by plucking it off Amauri's head.
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Juventus: Buffon; Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Chiellini (Grygera 71), Molinaro; Marchionni (Iaquinta 69), Sissoko, Zanetti (Marchisio 21), Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero
Cagliari: Marchetti; Pisano, Bianco, Canini, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Fini (Parola 85); Cossu (Lazzari 69); Jeda, Acquafresca (Matri 61)
Ref: Banti
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/juv-cag.html