Post by Taxigirl on Nov 26, 2003 9:50:03 GMT
More controversy is set to follow Juventus after they ran out 2-1 winners at Siena for tonight’s Coppa Italia Third Round opener.
This first leg tie was rescheduled in something of a rush, as Juve’s Champions’ League trip to Galatasaray was postponed until Dec 2 due to safety fears.
Siena were unhappy at the shot notice, but had a strong start to this match despite the absence of injured stars Enrico Chiesa and Andrea Ardito.
The home side eventually took the lead on the half-hour mark when Antonio Chimenti only parried a Nicola Ventola effort into the path of Raffaele Rubino.
There was controversy just before the break, as Roberto D’Aversa appeared to be brought down by Alessandro Birindelli, but instead of receiving a penalty the Siena man was booked for dissent.
The Bianconeri seemed very distracted and were fielding a second string side, even giving promising 19-year-old striker Benjamin Onwuachi some room in the final half-hour.
Fabrizio Miccoli went closest to drawing level for the visitors, but Fortin got a fingertip to his delicate lob.
The Siena goalkeeper practically handed Juventus the draw with a dreadful howler on Marcelo Zalayeta’s shot. It was a weak low drive from the Uruguayan that squirmed through Fortin’s arms.
The Tuscans fought back and Tore Andre Flo fired over after some good build-up play, but the away goal undoubtedly put Juventus in the driving seat for this tie.
There was further controversy soon after, as Ciro Ferrara was booked for a blatant shirt tug on Flo as he charged towards the goal. The referee did not consider him to be the last man, but the replays suggest Ferrara was fortunate to emerge unscathed.
Moments later Juventus took the lead as Benjamin Onwuachi scored on his official senior squad debut. The teenager combined with Zalayeta before placing an angled drive past Fortin.
Siena 1-2 Juventus
Scorers: Rubino 27 (S), Zalayeta 74 (J), Benjamin 82 (J)
Siena: Fortin; Cirillo (Mignani 68), Cufrè, Argilli, Bonomi; Lazetic (Guigou 55), Menegazzo, Cucciari, D'Aversa; Rubino, Ventola (Flo 61)
Juventus: Chimenti; Birindelli, Ferrara, Tudor, Pessotto; Maresca (Conte 68), Fresi (Appiah 46), Davids, Olivera (Benjamin 59); Zalayeta, Miccoli
Ref: Ayroldi