Post by Taxigirl on Dec 22, 2003 10:11:00 GMT
Konan 24 (L), Trezeguet 86 (J)
Stadio Via del Mare
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Substitute David Trezeguet scored a crucial goal as ten-man Juventus risked defeat against relegation battlers Lecce.
Juventus were without the injured Alessio Tacchinardi and Lilian Thuram, while the flu epidemic sweeping Italy has taken in Pavel Nedved, Paolo Montero and Edgar Davids. Surprisingly, David Trezeguet was left on the bench to begin with, sparking more reports that his contract renegotiations have hit problems.
Lecce had the first real scoring opportunity and indeed hit the back of the net with Javier Ernesto Chevanton, but the goal was correctly disallowed for an offside position.
Marco Di Vaio then turned a free header over the bar from Fabrizio Miccoli's set-piece. It was a special occasion for Miccoli, as he was playing in his hometown.
The home side was considerably more determined and deservedly took the lead after 24 minutes. The irrepressible Chevanton's long cross from the corner flag found Axel Konan completely unmarked to nod in at the far post.
Miccoli almost drew level with a curling free kick, but the ball swung back in on the side netting.
Juventus were really struggling and Marcelo Zalayeta replaced Nicola Legrottaglie, who was suffering from a muscular problem.
The Bianconeri really should have equalised just before the break when Miccoli's effort was parried, but Alessandro Del Piero hesitated to shoot from six yards and saw his two efforts eventually charged down.
The reigning Champions increased the pressure with a fine save on Zalayeta, but this left them open to the counter-attack and Mark Iuliano was sent off for a last man foul on Chevanton.
It was a controversial decision, as the referee allowed the move to continue with Cristian Ledesma's shot before going back and red-carding the defender. Although Iuliano clearly went to trip Chevanton and not go for the ball, it is unclear whether or not he was the last man.
Lecce somehow failed to double their lead soon after, as Max Tonetto was one on one with Buffon but preferred to slide the ball across to Chevanton and allowed the defence to recover.
There was panic in the Giallorossi area moments later, as young goalkeeper Poleksic allowed an Enzo Maresca drive to squirm under his body, but turned round and stopped the ball just before it could completely cross the line.
Trezeguet was eventually allowed on to the field and it proved a decisive moment, as the Frenchman scored the equaliser four minutes from time. He sprung the offside trap on Stephan Appiah's lifted pass and placed the ball past Poleksic.
The Bianconeri nearly turned it around completely when substitute Mauro Camoranesi's long-range effort was deflected inches wide.
It turned into a siege in stoppage time and Trezeguet saw another shot charged down from six yards.
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Lecce: Poleksic; Siviglia, Bovo, Stovini, Abruzzese; Cassetti, Ledesma, Piangerelli, Tonetto; Konan (Giacomazzi 70), Chevanton
Juventus: Buffon; Ferrara, Legrottaglie (Zalayeta 38), Iuliano; Birindelli, Maresca, Appiah, Zambrotta; Del Piero (Camoranesi 78); Miccoli (Trezeguet 61), Di Vaio
Ref: Pellegrino
Sent off: Iuliano 58 (J)
Stadio Via del Mare
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Substitute David Trezeguet scored a crucial goal as ten-man Juventus risked defeat against relegation battlers Lecce.
Juventus were without the injured Alessio Tacchinardi and Lilian Thuram, while the flu epidemic sweeping Italy has taken in Pavel Nedved, Paolo Montero and Edgar Davids. Surprisingly, David Trezeguet was left on the bench to begin with, sparking more reports that his contract renegotiations have hit problems.
Lecce had the first real scoring opportunity and indeed hit the back of the net with Javier Ernesto Chevanton, but the goal was correctly disallowed for an offside position.
Marco Di Vaio then turned a free header over the bar from Fabrizio Miccoli's set-piece. It was a special occasion for Miccoli, as he was playing in his hometown.
The home side was considerably more determined and deservedly took the lead after 24 minutes. The irrepressible Chevanton's long cross from the corner flag found Axel Konan completely unmarked to nod in at the far post.
Miccoli almost drew level with a curling free kick, but the ball swung back in on the side netting.
Juventus were really struggling and Marcelo Zalayeta replaced Nicola Legrottaglie, who was suffering from a muscular problem.
The Bianconeri really should have equalised just before the break when Miccoli's effort was parried, but Alessandro Del Piero hesitated to shoot from six yards and saw his two efforts eventually charged down.
The reigning Champions increased the pressure with a fine save on Zalayeta, but this left them open to the counter-attack and Mark Iuliano was sent off for a last man foul on Chevanton.
It was a controversial decision, as the referee allowed the move to continue with Cristian Ledesma's shot before going back and red-carding the defender. Although Iuliano clearly went to trip Chevanton and not go for the ball, it is unclear whether or not he was the last man.
Lecce somehow failed to double their lead soon after, as Max Tonetto was one on one with Buffon but preferred to slide the ball across to Chevanton and allowed the defence to recover.
There was panic in the Giallorossi area moments later, as young goalkeeper Poleksic allowed an Enzo Maresca drive to squirm under his body, but turned round and stopped the ball just before it could completely cross the line.
Trezeguet was eventually allowed on to the field and it proved a decisive moment, as the Frenchman scored the equaliser four minutes from time. He sprung the offside trap on Stephan Appiah's lifted pass and placed the ball past Poleksic.
The Bianconeri nearly turned it around completely when substitute Mauro Camoranesi's long-range effort was deflected inches wide.
It turned into a siege in stoppage time and Trezeguet saw another shot charged down from six yards.
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Lecce: Poleksic; Siviglia, Bovo, Stovini, Abruzzese; Cassetti, Ledesma, Piangerelli, Tonetto; Konan (Giacomazzi 70), Chevanton
Juventus: Buffon; Ferrara, Legrottaglie (Zalayeta 38), Iuliano; Birindelli, Maresca, Appiah, Zambrotta; Del Piero (Camoranesi 78); Miccoli (Trezeguet 61), Di Vaio
Ref: Pellegrino
Sent off: Iuliano 58 (J)