Champions of Italy!
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 14 May 2006 - 5:00 PM

Juventus are champions of Italy for the twenty-ninth time! Trezeguet and Del Piero secured the three points against Reggina, sealing the bianconeri’s retention of the scudetto. After the final whistle the players and staff were presented with their medals and proudly displayed the cup to their adoring fans.
Join us as we look back on the highlights of this record-breaking season.

Juventus-Palermo: 2-1
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 07 May 2006 - 5:04 PM

A carnival atmosphere enveloped the Delle Alpi stadium on Sunday afternoon as Juventus hosted Palermo in the last home game of the season. With the stadium close to capacity the fans turned out it their thousands to urge the bianconeri forward.

As the teams left the field after a hard-fought ninety minutes the celebrations continued with Juventus winning 2-1 and taking a three-point lead into the final game of the season.

Although Juve had the majority of the possession in the first half they struggled to find the final ball and became increasingly frustrated by the defensive approach of their opponents. Nedved twice went close for the bianconeri, but saw his shots well saved on both occasions. Seventeen minutes in the Czech was again involved as Juve created a well-worked opportunity. His headed flick-on from Trezeguet’s pass found Ibrahimovic in space in the area. The Swede’s first touch was good but the Palermo defence managed to clear his attempted pass back to Trezeguet.

The turning point came half an hour into the game when Camoranesi capitalised on some shaky defending by the Sicilians and played a perfect cross to the near post. The pass was nervously flicked-on by a Palermo defender and fell at the feet of Nedved. The feisty left-winger made, striking the ball past Agliardi to put Juventus one-nil ahead. Di Michele and Conteh tried their luck as Palermo tried to find an equaliser, but Juventus looked the more likely of the two squads to score the next goal, a right-footed effort from Nedved scraping the left hand post.

Juventus began the second half in explosive form. Nedved and Trezeguet both went close before Zlatan latched onto a brilliant chipped through-ball from Camoranesi to double Juve’s lead seven minutes after the restart, coolly slotting the ball between Agliardi’s legs. However, ten minutes later it was Palermo’s turn to celebrate. Godeas’s fierce shot flying beyond Buffon and into the top corner as the Sicilians pulled a goal back.

Despite the scare Juventus never looked overly troubled and saw out the remainder of the game without serious problems. As the players left the field they stopped to acknowledge their fans, all of whom will be hoping for a repeat performance at Reggina next weekend.

JUVENTUS-PALERMO 2-1
GOALS: 31’ Nedved, 51’ Ibrahimovic, 62’ Godeas
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Balzaretti (80’ Zebina), Kovac, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved (78’ Mutu); Ibrahimovic (60’ Del Piero), Trezeguet. Coach. Capello. Substitutes: Abbiati, Thuram, Blasi, Giannichedda.
PALERMO: Agliardi; Zaccardo, Barzagli (45’), Conteh, Grosso; Mutarelli, Barone, Gonzalez (74’ Makinwa), Santana; Di Michele (62’ Caracciolo), Godeas. Coach. Papadopulo. Substitutes: Andujar, Accardi, Codrea, Brienza.
REFEREE: De Santis M.
CAUTIONED: 35’pt Camoranesi, 36’pt Vieira, 4’st Conteh, 29’st Zambrotta
SPECTATORS: 56.488
RECEIPTS: 603.842

Juventus-Lazio: 1-1
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 22 Apr 2006 - 5:36 PM

After a disappointing first half ended with ten-man Lazio one goal ahead, Juventus drew on their experience and passion to salvage a point from the game. With less than five minutes remaining, Trezegol struck to cancel out Rocchi’s opener and send the home crowd wild. The draw, coupled with Milan’s victory over Messina, means that Juve currently have a three point lead over their closest rivals with three games to play.

Although Juventus dominated the first half, they were given a warning of Lazio’s attacking potency as early as the fourth minute when Rocchi’s snap-shot from the left hand side of the area was tipped over by Abbiati. Five minutes later Juve began to exert themselves on the game and both Mutu and Trezeguet tested Peruzzi before the ‘keeper was called into action yet again after Emerson’s flick-on was hit goalwards by Ibrahimovic. From the resulting corner Vieira rose highest to thunder a header onto the post. After Patrick’s agonising effort, the bianconeri continued to attack and Zlatan almost broke the deadlock twenty minutes into the half. Surging forward on the left wing, Nedved laid a perfect pass to Ibra who took a few touches before striking the ball towards the bottom corner, a shot that Peruzzi could only deflect for a corner.

With Juventus controlling much of the possession, a rare attack from Lazio ended with the biancazzuri one goal ahead. A teasing low cross from Pandev found Rocchi at the near-post, and the Lazio striker’s first time effort beat Abbiati. Five minutes later and Lazio thought they had doubled their advantage only for Dabo’s long-range effort to be disallowed. Clearly upset by the decision, Dabo continued his protests with the referee and received a straight red-card for dissent.

Despite further chances for Emerson and Nedved, Juventus entered the tunnel at half-time one goal behind. Capello took the opportunity to change his formation, and sent Del Piero and Balzaretti on in place of Mutu and Balzaretti. Ironically, it was the latter who was to have the better of the early chances, twice trying his luck from distance and calling Peruzzi into action.

With Lazio a man down, Juve knew it was an opportunity to pour pressure on their opponents, and were relentless in attack. Nedved and Zambrotta caused problems on the wings and Vieira panicked the Romans with his height and power at set-plays. With time running out, Pavel and Patrick combined to find Trezeguet unmarked in front of goal. The Frenchman coolly collected Nedved’s flick-on and buried his shot beyond the stranded Peruzzi.

Juventus could have extended their lead in the dying seconds, but Nedved saw his shot pushed around the post by the opposition ‘keeper.

JUVENTUS-LAZIO 1-1
GOALS: 29’ Rocchi, 87’ Trezeguet
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Zebina (45’ Balzaretti), Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta;
Mutu (45’ Del Piero), Emerson (72’ Blasi), Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovic,
Trezeguet. Coach. Capello. Substitutes: Buffon, Chiellini, Kovac, Zalayeta.
LAZIO: Peruzzi; Oddo, Siviglia, Cribari, Zauri; Behrami, Dabo, Mudingayi (8’
Belleri), Mauri, Pandev (58’ Bonanni); Rocchi (71’ Tare). Coach. Rossi.
Substitutes:Ballotta, Piccolo, Keller, Di Canio.
REFEREE: Paparesta
CAUTIONED: 28’ Vieira, 78’ Tare, 91’ Zauri
SENT-OFF: 34’ Dabo
SPECTATORS: 33.898
RECEIPTS: 476.988

Cagliari- Juventus: 1-1
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 15 Apr 2006 - 5:41 PM

A tense and sometimes frustrating game at the Sant’Elia stadium ended 1-1 this afternoon. Although Juventus had the majority of both the possession and the chances, some impressive defending from Cagliari kept them at bay. However, in the last minute of the game, Cannavaro’s powerful header flew into the top corner of the goal, cancelling-out Suazo’s first-half penalty and salvaging a point for the bianconeri.

After a tense opening, Juve began to take hold of the game. Concentrating their attacks down the right-hand side, the bianconeri continually caused problems for their opponents with a series of teasing crosses from Zambrotta and Nedved. Ibrahimovic also created his own opportunities, twice finding space on the edge of the area but seeing his shots fly just wide. However, it was his strike-partner who came closest to breaking the deadlock. Stretching to reach a superb cross from Ibra, Del Piero’s volley was brilliantly saved by Chimenti.

With two minutes left before half-time, a rare attack from the rossoblu resulted in a penalty. After a surging run into the Juve box, Langella tumbled under a diving challenge from Zambrotta. The referee, adjudging the defender to have taken the player and not the ball, pointed to the spot. Suazo stepped up to take the kick and coolly slotted his shot to the left of Buffon to put Cagliari 1-0 ahead at half-time.

Camoranesi replaced Mutu after the interval, and the fiery winger made an immediate impact. Six minutes in, his free-kick was met by Del Piero, whose looping header went just wide. Juventus continued their search for an equaliser and, seven minutes later, Zambrotta was fouled in the air by Conti and the referee awarded a penalty. Del Piero stepped up, but his strike was saved by Chimenti, diving to his right. However, the Juve captain refused to give up and went close several further times in the half.

With time running out, Cagliari continued to frustrate their opponents, and the game appeared all but over when Camoranesi set the ball down for a last-minute corner. However, his well struck cross was met by Cannavaro whose header beat Chimenti and ensured the game ended 1-1. The result ensures that the gap at the top of the table is currently 5 points, after Milan beat Inter in the derby at the San Siro.


CAGLIARI-JUVENTUS 1-1
GOALS: 44’ Suazo (pen.), 95’ Cannavaro
CAGLIARI: Chimenti, Ferri, Canini, Bega, Pisano (72’ Agostini), Esposito (28’ Langella), Conti, Abejon, Gobbi, Conticchio (62’ Budel), Suazo. Coach. Sonetti. Substitutes: Campagnolo, Bizera, Capone, Cossu. A
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Kovac, Chiellini (66’ Balzaretti), Mutu (45’ Camoranesi), Blasi (80’ Zalayeta), Vieira, Nedved, Del Piero, Ibrahimovic. Coach. Capello. Substitutes: Abbiati, Marchisio, Pessotto, Olivera.
REFEREE: Ayroldi N.
CAUTIONED: 16’ Blasi, 47’ Suazo, 52’ Conticchio, 57’ Chimenti, 69’ Cannavaro, 81’ Budel
SENT-OFF: 95’ Abejon, 95’ Langella

Juventus-Fiorentina 1-1
Mood:  d'oh
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 10 Apr 2006 - 11:55 AM

Fiorentina left the Delle Alpi with a point after a hard-fought draw with the bianconeri. After a competitive opening forty-five minutes, in which Abbiati saved a penalty from Jimenez, the Viola went ahead early in the second half through Luca Toni. Del Piero’s strike a quarter of an hour later levelled for the home side and ensured a draw that sees Juve 7 points clear at the head of Serie A after Milan beat Chievo at home.

Following a disappointing exit from the Champions league in mid-week, Juve felt that they had a point to prove to their detractors and were determined to justify their dominance of Serie A this season. They stated their intent from as early as the first minute, when Vieira’s headed effort went just inches over the bar. Minutes later, Zlatan tried his luck from distance, his right-footed shot swerving agonisingly wide of the post.

With Juventus controlling much of the early possession, Fiorentina were awarded a penalty a quarter of an hour into the first half against the run of play. Surging into the box from the left-hand-side, Toni beat Thuram before going down under the challenge of Zebina. From the subsequent spot-kick, Abbiati – a last-minute replacement for Buffon - guessed correctly to deny Jimenez and keep the game at 0-0. Later in the half Fiore’s low cross was almost converted by Giannichedda, the deflection beating Abbiati and striking the post before being frantically cleared by the ‘keeper.

However, moments after the restart Luca Toni capitalised on a backheel from Jimenez to put the Viola in front. The goal seemed to spark a new determination in the home team who went close through a fierce strike from Zambrotta from outside the area. This was soon followed by the Juventus equaliser. Seeing Del Piero in space just inside the area, Vieira played an inch-perfect through ball which the Juve captain coolly slotted to the left of Lobont. Not content with a draw, the bianconeri sought a second goal and went close twice trough Ibrahimovic and Zalayeta before Vieira’s powerful header struck the bar. In the final minutes Ibra had another chance but was unable to control Vieira’s pass, striking his shot over the bar.



JUVENTUS-FIORENTINA 1-1
RETI: 47’ Toni, 62’ Del Piero
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Zebina, Thuram, Kovac, Zambrotta; Camoranesi (55’ Mutu), Giannichedda (62’ Blasi), Vieira, Nedved; Del Piero (70’ Zalayeta), Ibrahimovic. Coach. Capello. Substitutes: Buffon, Balzaretti, Pessotto, Chiellini.
FIORENTINA: Lobont; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini (84’ Kroldrup), Pasqual; Fiore, Brocchi, Donadel, Jorghensen; Jimenez (79’ Bojinov); Toni. Coach. Prandelli. Substitutes: Berti, Pancaro, Di Loreto, Di Carmine, Montolivo.
REFEREE: Pieri
BOOKED: 28’ Kovac, 58’ Brocchi, 74’ Dainelli, 83’ Thuram, 88’ Ujfalusi
SPECTATORS: 27.656
RECEIPTS: 438.542

Treviso - Juventus: 0-0
Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 01 Apr 2006 - 8:31 PM

Matchday 32 saw Treviso play host to Juventus as both sides went in search of a result that would have vastly different effects on their seasons. Lying in bottom place, Treviso were playing for pride, whilst Juve were looking to secure a further three points to solidify their lead at the top of the table.

The first half was characterised by a series of near-misses from the bianconeri. As early as the first minute Trezeguet had tried his luck from distance with a left-footed strike that fizzed past the right-hand post. Five minutes later the Frenchman was again involved, when his shot was deflected wide
after a low cross from Ibrahimovic.

A quarter of an hour into the game, Camoranesi’s teasing cross found the head of Cannavaro, although the resulting shot was well-saved by Zancope. However, it was Ibra and Trezeguet who continued to cause the most problems for their opponents; an improvised bicycle kick from the Swede striking the post whilst Trezegol saw his headed and volleyed efforts fly agonisingly wide. Mutu also went close to breaking the deadlock, but his well executed free-kick was pushed away by Zancope.

Ironically, the only real opportunity that Treviso had came from a Juve player, when Guigou’s free-kick was deflected off the head of Zambrotta and struck the post. The chance summed up the bianconeri’s dominance of the first half.

The game continued in much the same way after the restart. Both Zambrotta and Trezeguet tried their luck, whilst Mutu’s low shot from just inside the area was beaten away by Zancope.
As the game progressed Treviso sought to secure a draw, frustrating Juve’s attempts to attack and playing deep within their own half.

The game finished 0-0 but there was no doubt as to which team deserved the points.

TREVISO: Zancope?; Maggio, Cottafava, Viali, Dossena; Vascak (86’ Acquafresca), Baseggio, Guigou, E. Filippini (70’ Parravicini); Beghetto (65’ Valdez), Borriello. Coach. Bortoluzzi. Substitutes: Lorenzini, Gustavo, De Martino, Fava
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zambrotta, Kovac, Cannavaro, Chiellini (70’ Balzaretti); Camoranesi (79’ Giannichedda), Emerson Vieira, Mutu; Ibrahimovic (69’ Zalayeta), Trezeguet. Coach. Capello. Substitutes: Abbiati, Thuram, Blasi, Pessotto.
REFEREE: Racalbuto
CAUTIONS: 12’ Viali, 25’ Filippini, 28’ Cannavaro, 42’ Kovac, 53’ Chiellini, 69’ Zambrotta, 73’ Borriello

Juventus-Roma: 1-1
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 25 Mar 2006 - 10:53 PM

A tense evening at the Delle Alpi saw Juventus play out a draw with Roma. After Emerson had put the home team ahead, Kharja equalised for the visitors with five minutes remaining. The draw, coupled with Milan' victory over Fiorentina, means that Juventus are 8 points clear at the top of the table with seven games remaining.

With injuries to both Totti and Montella it was left to Mancini to lead the giallorossi front-line in Turin. The Brazilian was Roma’s main source of danger and carved out a chance for himself in the seventeenth minute. Having rounded Nedved on the edge of the area he set himself to strike but his long-range attempt was well-saved by Buffon. The Juve ‘keeper was on hand again ten minutes later, smothering a shot from Dacourt after the Frenchman had evaded several challenges in a mazy run from midfield.

Juve looked most dangerous from set-plays, and a series of excellent balls from Camoranesi caused panic in the Roma defensive line with both Ibrahimovic and Nedved going close. It was of no surprise then that the deadlock was broken after another teasing cross from Camo. This time it was Emerson who met the pass and the Puma made no mistake as he rose to head the ball beyond Doneiber and put the bianconeri ahead.

Juventus left the field at half time one goal up but one man down after Nedved received his second yellow card of the game, reducing the home team to ten men.

The second half proved difficult for the visitors as Juve frustrated their attempts for an equaliser. Having replaced Trezeguet with Balzaretti at the interval, Capello’s team threw men behind the ball and frequently disrupted Roma’s attacks. Taddei and Aquilani both tried their luck from distance, but again it was a well-placed set-play that made the difference. With five minutes remaining Kharja capitalised on a good delivery from Taddei and headed past the outstretched palm of Buffon.


JUVENTUS-ROMA 1-1
GOALS: 35’ Emerson, 85’ Kharja.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zambrotta, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini (89’ Mutu); Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Del Piero (16’ Trezeguet – HT’ Balzaretti)), Ibrahimovic. COACH. Capello. SUBSTITUTES: Abbiati, Kovac, Blasi, Giannichedda, Mutu.
ROMA: Donieber; Panucci, Mexes, Kuffour (59’ Okaka)i, Dacourt (76’ Kharja), Alvarez (22’ Rosi), Aquilani, Perrotta; Taddei. COACH. Spalletti. SUBSTITUTES: Curci, Tommasi, Cufr?, Giacomini.
REFEREE: Trefoloni
CAUTIONS: 22’ Bovo, 39’ and 47’ Nedved, 54’ Kuffour, 64’ Aquilani
RED CARDS: 47’ Nedved (Second Yellow Card)
SPECTATORS: 29.621
RECEIPTS: 532.637

Livorno - Juventus 1-3
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A Tim - 18 Mar 2006 - 11:10 PM

Before the game Fabio Capello warned his side against complacency in what could have been a difficult challenge for the bianconeri. In reality, Juventus were in charge of the game from early on and sealed a deserved victory with an injury-time winner from Alex Del Piero.

Juventus took the lead in the third minute through Trezeguet after a neat exchange involving Del Piero, Nedved and Giannichedda. One-on-one with Amelia the Frenchman made no mistake, his shot beating the advancing ‘keeper and curling just inside the right post.

Ten minutes later a rare attack by the home side found Lucarelli in space outside the area. The Livorno striker hit a powerful left-footed shot which was saved brilliantly by Buffon, diving to his right.

For the rest of the half the Juventus defence did well to prevent further attacks from Mazzone’s men. Chances were few for both teams, but Juventus were playing with far more confidence than their rivals and looked the more likely of the two sides to make a break-through.

The second half started in much the same way as the first with an early goal breaking the deadlock; although this time it was the home side who took the advantage. Collecting the ball from outside the Juve area, Pfertzel rounded several Juventus defenders before slotting his shot to the right of Buffon. Livorno celebrations were short lived however as less than two minutes later Trezeguet restored the bianconeri lead. Collecting a pass from Nedved, Trezegol rounded Vargas before striking the ball past the Livorno ‘keeper for his second goal of the evening.

As Livorno poured men forward in search of an elusive second goal, Juventus began to expose the space at the back with both Mutu and Del Piero going close. The latter was to settle the game for the bianconeri with his left-footed strike sealing the points for the visitors deep into injury time. The win maintained Juventus’ advantage at the top of the table with eight games left to play.

LIVORNO-JUVENTUS 1-3
GOALS: 3’pt e 9’st Trezeguet, 7’st Pfertzel, 49’st Del Piero
LIVORNO: Amelia, Grandoni, Vargas (14’st Bakayoko), Galante, Pfertzel (35’st Palladino), Morrone, Ruotolo, Argilli (28’st Cesar Prates), Coco, Colucci, C. Lucarelli. Coach. Mazzone. Substitutes: Acerbis, Balleri, Fanucci, Palladino, Paulinho
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zebina (40’st Pessotto), Thuram, Cannavaro, Balzaretti, Camoranesi (14’st Mutu), Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved, Del Piero, Trezeguet (19’st Ibrahimovic). Coach. Capello. Substitutes: Abbiati, Kovac, Blasi, Pessotto, Zalayeta.
REFEREE: Dondarini
CAUTIONED: 20’pt Vargas, 21’pt Nedved, 28’pt Lucarelli

Juventus-Milan: 0-0
Mood:  not sure
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A - Tim Cup - 12 Mar 2006 - 10:59 PM

A freezing evening at the Delle Alpi saw Juventus host Milan in the 29th game of the domestic season. With both teams desperate for a victory, the stage was set for a tense and open encounter.


The first half saw a scarcity of chances as the teams looked to cancel one another out in the midfield. Both Trezeguet and Shevchenko tried their luck from distance in the opening moments of the game, though neither shot troubled the ‘keeper. On eleven minutes, Mutu presented Vieira with the first real opportunity. The big Frenchman jumped highest to meet the free-kick, but saw his header fall safely into the hands of Milan’s Brazilian goalie. A minute later Stam received the first caution of the match for a foul on Chiellini. The incident typified the physical approach of both sides in the first half with Chiellini and Gattuso receiving yellow cards for similar challenges.


The second half began in much the same way as the first, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Both Del Piero and Nedved went close without ever really challenging Dida, whilst at the other end Inzaghi was twice denied by the pace of Buffon. On 65 minutes a stray clearance from Kaka’s corner found Gattuso on the edge of the box whose powerful header was well saved by Buffon. The fiery Italian was involved again minutes later when he received his second yellow card of the match and was sent off. From this point Milan were forced to play deeper and frustrated Juve’s attempts at victory.
The game finished 0-0 with both sides taking a point, but there is no doubt that the bianconeri will be the happier of the teams, retaining their ten point lead at the top of the table.


JUVENTUS-MILAN 0-0
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Mutu, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovic (45’ Del Piero), Trezeguet. All. Capello. A disposizione: Abbiati, Balzaretti, Camoranesi, Blasi, Giannichedda, Zalayeta
MILAN: Dida; Stam (14’ Costacurta), Nesta, Kaladze, Serginho; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf (34’ Ambrosini), Kak? ; Shevchenko, Inzaghi (67’ Gilardino). All. Ancelotti. A disposizione: Kalac, Rui Costa, Vogel, Jankulovski
REFEREE: De Santis
CAUTIONS: 12’ Stam, 27’ Chiellini, 40’ e 69’ Gattuso, 20’ Nesta
SENT OFF: 69’ Gattuso (Two yellow cards)
SPECTATORS: 39.087
RECEIPTS: 1.294.782

Fiorentina vs Juventus 1-2
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006
Serie A - 04 Dec 2005 - 6:00 PM

Fiorentina and Juventus are back face to face on the pitch of the Artemio Franchi stadium only two days after the Coppa Italia fixture. However, the line-up’s are quite different compared to Thursday night: Toni and Fiore among the Viola, while Capello chooses the partnership Ibrahimovic-Trezeguet in attack. And it’s the very Frenchman in the first half and Camoranesi in the closing minutes of the second half who give Juve the away win, which allow the Bianconeri to stretch their lead to 8 points clear second-ranked Milan.

Juventus start off on the right foot: after merely 23 seconds, Nedved puts the ball in for Trezeguet who gets anticipated in the corner before being able to shoot on goal. After 3 minutes, Emerson volleys the ball from outside the area but his shot is saved by Frey. After 6 minutes, Fiorentina get dangerous when Toni deflects Pasqual’s cross with a header but the ball hits the crossbar; one minute later, Juventus take the advantage: Emerson serves deep for Ibrahimovic who sprints on the edge of offside and gets into the penalty box without being obstacled. The Swede may shoot on goal but, with altruism, he prefers serving for Trezeguet into the midfield and it’s a child’s play for the Frenchman to score (0-1). Fiorentina’s reaction arrive on 15’ minutes when Toni sets himself free on the edge of the box and tries a ground right-footed shot which goes out of the goalline. On 18’ minutes, Juventus get close to the second goal: great cross from Camoranesi to Ibrahimovic who, like for the scoring occasion, passes to Trezeguet but this time David’s finish flies high over the crossbar. Later on, it’s the very Ibrahimovic who hits the ball with a header and then drives a left-footed finish but in the first case Frey clears in the second the Swede’s aim fails. Juventus are in control of the game, nevertheless Fiorentina manage to take the draw thanks to the darting of Toni: on 40’ minutes, Pasqual puts it in from the left flank and the Viola midfielder successfully deflects the ball in behind Abbiati’s back (1-1). In the closing minutes of the half time, Brocchi crosses a tricky right-footed drive from the edge of the penalty box but Abbiati clears. On the last second of the half time, Juventus get very near to taking the lead: Camoranesi runs along the right flank and serves for Ibrahimovic, whose shot on the turn is hit back by Frey’s great response.

The second half starts with no substitution made on both sides. After 4 minutes, Pazzini gets in the box from the left and kicks a ground shot but Abbiati saves, while two minutes later Ibrahimovic arrives near the goalline and puts the ball in but it gets to Trezeguet but he’s too far behind and the action vanishes. On 7’ minutes, Camoranesi turns up: Mauro controls Nedved’s fine drive and tries a left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area but it ends out. On 13’ minutes Fiorentina attack with a cross pass between Toni and Pazzini, countered by Abbiati, while on 20’ minutes Ibrahimovic follows Nedved’s assist but his shot gets high over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Cannavaro deflects Camoranesi’s cross from the flag but Frey is ready to clear. Nedved tries again with a right-footed from the distance but it ends too high. On 28’, a beautiful action on Juventus side with Nedved serving for Zambrotta who crosses to Trezeguet, unfortunately the latter’s header cannot be reached by Ibrahimovic. On 30’ minutes, Fiorentina get very close to their second goal: Pazzini launches Toni who overcomes Abbiati while he’s coming out but the Viola’s finish just hits the post. On 34’ minutes, Ibrahimovic’s personal initiative leaves an opponent sitting down on the ground but, instead of attempting directly on goal, the Swede goes for another dribbling and he ends up being closed into the corner. On 40’ minutes, Chiellini crosses from the left but Vieira’s header gets high over the crossbar but it’s only a matter of minutes before reaching the target: on 43’ minutes, Ibrahimovic lifts a ball high in the air which is grabbed by Trezeguet who can serve it for Camoranesi. Mauro controls on the edge of the box, gets inside and beats Frey (1-2).

FIORENTINA vs JUVENTUS 1-2

GOALS: 7’ f.h. Trezeguet, 40’ f.h. Pazzini, 43’ s.h. Camoranesi

FIORENTINA: Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Di Loreto, Donadel; Pasqual , Pazienza, Brocchi (42’ s.h. Pancaro), Jorghensen (19’ f.h. Pazzini), Fiore (17’ s.h. Maggio); Toni.
Substitutes: Cejas, Dainelli, Montolivo, Bojinov.
Coach: Prandelli


JUVENTUS:Abbiati; Zambrotta, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Camoranesi, Emerson (50’ s.h. Kovac), Vieira, Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet (44’ Mutu)
Substitutes: Buffon, Kovac, Balzaretti, Blasi, Giannichedda, Del Piero.
Coach: Capello

REFEREE: Messina

YELLOW CARDS: 13’ s.h. Vieira, 28’ s.h. Ibrahimovic, 45’ s.h. Maggio, 48’ s.h. Camoranesi

ATTENDANCE: 43.537
PROCEEDS: 903.000 Euro