Roma vs. Juventus 1-4
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Serie A - 19 Nov 2005 - 10:30 PM

A determined Juventus in the first half, and inexorable in the second, wins over Roma at the Olimpico scoring 4 goals. Nedved finds the goal at the end of the first half, Capello’s side are rampant in the second half with Ibrahimovic’s goal and two scored by Trezeguet.

Juventus start in attack right away with Ibrahimovic being the first to attempt on goal, after 3 minutes, but his right-footed drive is too high. Then it’s Montella’s turn to try to get dangerous but Thuram first and Abbiati later counter the Giallorosso striker’s initiatives. On 8’ minutes, Emerson serves for Trezeguet who causes Doni to clear with his feet. It’s Juve again on 11’ minutes with Camoranesi feeding Ibrahimovic, whose turn on the shot ends narrowly high over the crossbar. Abbiati makes three great saves: on 13’ minutes, when he deflects Taddei’s shot out for a corner, on 17’ minutes when he hinders De Rossi who, feeded by Totti’s free-kick, drives a header out and then on 32’ minutes when he saves Montella’s attempt on goal. After 23 minutes Trezeguet looks for the goal but his header, following Chiellini’s cross shot, ends out. In the last fifteen minutes of the first half, Juventus control the game and create several good occasions in attack and can finally take the lead on 46’ minutes: Camoranesi crosses for Nedved from the right, the latter jump for a header and beats Doni. The first forty-five minutes ends with the Bianconeri leading 1-0.

Capello’s side, determined in the first half, become inexorable in the second. After 5 minutes, Nedved tries again to score, Doni saves but cannot keep the ball which ends out for a corner. Following the corner, Doni throws out, Emerson lobs the ball but the goalkeeper saves. The 2-0 goal is Ibrahimovic’s masterpiece. The Swede, served by Emerson in the midfield, disengages himself from Kuffour, moves forward and at the right time, with an unstoppable right-footed shot, beats Doni. There is only Juventus on the playground. Two minutes later Trezeguet’s show starts: on 13’ minutes, following Zambrotta’s cross from the right, the Frenchman nods it in (3-0). On 16’ mintues, Ibrahimovic crosses to the centre, the ball touches Thuram and finally gets to Trezegoal who shoots it in from a very short range (4-0). On 20’ minutes, Capello’s side remain in 10 when Thuram is sent off as Paparesta reckons he’s brought Montella down: the resulting penalty is converted by Totti, who makes no mistake (4-1). Capello sacrifices Trezeguet and replaces him with Kovac: Juventus, despite being fewer in number, control the game with great care. In fact, from this time on Roma will only get dangerous on 23’ minutes with Totti’s left-footed shot which ends out.

ROMA vs JUVENTUS 1-4
GOALS: 46'fh Nedved, 11'sh Ibrahimovic, 13'sh and 16' sh Trezeguet, 20'sh Totti
(pen.)
ROMA: Doni; Panucci, Kuffour, Mexes, Cufre (34'sh Alvarez); Perrotta,
Dacourt (30'sh Tommasi), De Rossi (15'sh Nonda); Taddei, Totti; Montella.
Coach: Spalletti. Substitutes: Curci, Bovo, Karja, Aquilani.
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Camoranesi,
Emerson, Vieira, Nedved (46'sh Mutu); Ibrahimovic (35'sh Del Piero),
Trezeguet (18'sh Kovac). Coach:Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Pessotto,
Blasi, Giannichedda.
REFEREE: Paparesta
YELLOW CARDS: 38'fh Nedved, 39'fh Vieira, 3'sh Cannavaro, 30'sh Dacourt, 37'sh
Mexes, 44'sh Perrotta
SENT-OFF: 17'sh Thuram

Juventus vs Livorno 3-0
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Serie A - 06 Nov 2005 - 5:00 PM

On the eleventh matchday of the championship, Juventus beat Livorno by 3-0 at the Delle Alpi. The whole game was dominated by Capello’s side, who wins thanks to goals by Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet and Del Piero in the final minutes.

The script is the same all the way through the match: Capello’s side builds up the game, Livorno try to get dangerous in the little space left by the Bianconeri. The Tuscans succeed in doing so in a couple of occasions, like on 16’ minutes with De Ascentis’ header in front of the goal which is cleared by Zambrotta and later on 39’ minutes when Lazetic’s left-footed that ends onto the outside of the net. The rest is all Juventus. On 4’ minutes, Trezeguet takes advantage of a moment of uncertainty of Livorno’s defence but his right-footed drive ends out. One minute later, Nedved’s cross pass ends wide too. On 10’ minutes, Ibrahimovic attempts on goal from the short range but the ball misses the target. On 11’ minutes, the Swede’s action is worth an applause when he dribbles the opponent defence with a lob forward but his finish is saved by the goalkeeper. On the following corner kick, Vieira tries to shoot on goal but the ball is high over the crossbar. On 18’, Ibrahimovic crosses to Chiellini, who heads the ball past the post. In the mid-half time, Nedved kicks a fine shot from the left edge of the penalty area which unfortunately ends narrowly wide. On 37’ minutes, Amelia counters Zambrotta’s left-footed shot from a short rage. One minute before the end of the half time, Cannavaro passes to Vieira who controls the ball well but his left-footed shot is off the target.

The second half starts with no substitution made and with Juventus always on the hunt for goals. After 1 minute, Ibrahimovic follows Mutu’s cross pass and tries a volley shot on the turn which unfortunately misses the target. On 10’ minutes, the Romanian’s free kick is high. On 14’, Capello’s squad takes the deserved lead: Thuram’s long cross pass to Ibrahimovic, who beats Amelia with a great lob on the volley (1-0). One minute later, here it comes the second goal: Zambrotta’s cross from the right and Trezeguet nods it in (2-0). The direct sending off of De Ascentis leaves Livorno in 10. The Bianconeri get near to the third goal: on 19’ minutes, Nedved crosses from the left to Ibrahimovic, the Swede’s header is cleared by the goalkeeper, Trezeguet gets in but misses for a very little the winning deflection. Capello, after replacing Mutu with Camoranesi, sends Del Piero in to substitute Trezeguet. On 32’ mintues, Ibrahimovic’s free kick from the short range ends high over the bar. Three minutes later, Livorno attack for the first time in the second half with the new entry Bakayoko who serves Lucarelli and the latter’s shot on the turn gets deflected for a corner by Thuram. One minute later, Juventus get dangerous again: Camoranesi assists Ibrahimovic, the Swede’s volley shot is saved by the goalkeeper. The game is closed by a fine goal by Del Piero who, after a deep pass from Ibrahimovic, dribbles Amelia and shoots on goals (3-0). With his 178th goal, the captain equals Roberto Bettega in the ranking of Juventus’s all time goalscorers.

JUVENTUS vs LIVORNO 3-0

GOALS: 14'sh Ibrahimovic, 15'sh Trezeguet, 47'sh Del Piero

JUVENTUS: Abbiati, Zambrotta, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Mutu (18'sh
Camoranesi, 41'sh Balzaretti), Emerson, Vieira, Nedved, Trezeguet (29'sh Del
Piero), Ibrahimovic. Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Kovac, Camoranesi, Balzaretti, Giannichedda, Del Piero, Zalayeta.

LIVORNO: Amelia, Melara, Vargas, Galante, Pfertzel (28'sh Prates), Morrone,
Passoni, De Ascentis, Coco, Lazetic (34'sh Bakayoko), Lucarelli (43'sh Betanin). Coach: Donadoni. Substitutes: Acerbis, Betanin, Ruotolo, Centi, Grandoni.

REFEREE: Brighi

YELLOW CARDS: 18'fh Melara, 17'sh Mutu, 32'sh Vargas, 40'sh Camoranesi
SENT OFF: 17'sh De Ascentis

ATTENDANCE: 28.897
PROCEEDS: 389.767

Juventus vs Bayern Munchen 2-1
Mood:  happy
Topic: Champions League

Champions League - 02 Nov 2005 - 10:45 PM

A double score by Trezeguet gives Juventus three golden points and allow them to keep up with Bayern on top of Group A. It wasn’t easy to beat them but the determination they had searching the goal finally awarded Capello’s side.

The match is much struggled and the tempo is particularly high in the first few minutes. Bayern are the first to attack: after 4 minutes, Ballack follows Deisler’s free kick and attempts on goal, Abbiati clears high over the crossbar. One minute later, Juventus reply with Trezeguet who, served by Chiellini, drives a right-footed shot from a twenty-metre range which Kahn punches away. On 12’ minutes, Makaay makes the most of a moment of uncertainty of the Bianconeri’s defence but the ball gets past the post. The same happens to Trezeguet’s finish, following Zambrotta’s cross from the right (14’). On 16’ minutes, Pizarro, on Deisler’s free kick, heads the ball too high over the bar. In the last few minutes, the match’s tempo slows down compared to the beginning of the first half, however Juventus keep on creating occasions in search of the goal, preventing their opponents to threat their side of the pitch, until the referee’s whistle for the break.

During the break, Capello replaces Del Piero with Nedved. On the 1’ minute, Ze Roberto serves Makaay, but Kovac successfully anticipates him. On 5’ minutes, Ibrahimovic tries a ground shot on goal, Kahn clears. Two minutes later, Ze Roberto shoots a free kick which ends high over the bar. On 8’ minutes, Nedved assists Ibrahimovic in the box but his shot hits a defender. The Bianconeri’s coach makes one more substitution: Kovac out, Camoranesi in. On 17’ minutes, the Bianconeri take the lead: Ibrahimovic passes to Nedves, the Czech is countered by an opponent but the ball gets to Trezeguet who beats Kahn with his left-footed shot (1-0). An important goal for Juventus but also for the Frenchman who reaches 105 goals in his Juventus career and outdoes his fellow countryman Platini in the book of records of all-time scorers. However, it takes Bayern only 5 minutes to take the draw: Deisler shoots a free kick from a thirty-metres range and the ball gets in (1-1). After thirty minutes into the second half, Capello replaces Camoranesi with Mutu. Juventus keep on attempting on goal but the German defence keeps good guard. On 38’ minutes, following Nedved’s corner shot, Vieira tries to head the ball in but the it eventually ends out. On 40’ minutes, efforts are finally rewarded to Capello’s side. It’s Trezeguet again to score a very important goal and to give Juventus the lead once again: Vieira passes, Trezegoal controls the ball like he’s used to and beats Kahn again with a right-footed drive (2-1). And he gets to 106. Bayern react with Schweinsteiger, whose kick from the edge of the box ends out (42’). In the final minutes, Ibrahimovic was sent off after two yellow cards. With this win, Juventus reach the Germans on top of Group A.

JUVENTUS vs BAYERN MUNCHEN 2-1
GOALS: 16’ and 40’sh Trezeguet, 21’sh Deisler
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Thuram, Kovac (14’sh Camoranesi, 31’sh Mutu), Cannavaro, Chiellini; Emerson, Vieira, Del Piero (1’sh Nedved); Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet. Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Blasi, Giannichedda, Mutu, Zalayeta.
BAYERN MUNCHEN: Kahn; Sagnol, Lucio, Ismael, Schweinsteiger; Deisler, Demichelis (42’sh Scholl), Ze Roberto, Ballack; Makaay (43’sh Guerrero), Pizarro. Coach: Magath. Substitutes: Rensing, Dreher, Karimi, Jeremies, Ottl.
REFEREE: Lubos Michel (SVK)
YELLOW CARDS: 19’fh Kovac, 32’fh Schweinsteiger, 42’fh Ibrahimovic, 45’fh Ze Roberto, 41’sh Vieira
SENT OFF: Ibrahimovic 45’sh
ATTENDANCE: 16.076
GATE TAKINGS: 481.270,33

Milan vs Juventus 3-1
Mood:  down
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Serie A - 29 Oct 2005 - 10:30 PM

Against Milan, coach Capello recovers Vieira in the midfield alongside Emerson and proposes the attack partnership Ibrahimovic-Trezeguet. After 7 minutes, it’s the very Frenchman who serves Ibrahimovic into the area; the Swede traps the ball with his chest and tries to serve Trezeguet but the assist is not precise. After a few seconds, Nedved turns up with a left-footed ground shot from a thirty metres distance, finally stopped by Dida. The match is lively and on 9’ minutes Milan replies with Inzaghi who, lying on the left flank, shoots on Chimenti’s goal, however without ever worrying the Bianconeri’s goalkeper. On 14’ minutes, Camoranesi crosses a long shot to Ibrahimovic who, however, cannot control the ball and on the counterattack Milan take the lead: Seedorf drives a right-footed shot from the edge of the box which is unintentionally deflected by Thuram and suddenly dips and surprises Chimenti (1-0). Juventus try to fight back bu the Rossoneri are good at containing Capello’s lads and can even find the second goal on 26’ minutes: Pirlo shoots a free kick from the downfield area, Gilardino tries to shoot on the turn but he can’t kick the ball well and it ends down to Kaka’s feet; the Brazilian, who’s in the middle of the area, shoots a powerful and precise right-footed shot and Chimenti can’t save. It’s 2-0. Juventus grow in the final minutes of the first half, forcing Milan into their half of the field for many minutes but they cannot really threat Dida’s goal. Capello tries to make the flanks more dynamic introducing Chiellini in place of Pessotto on 41’ minutes but the night is quite unlucky: on 45’ minutes, Pirlo shoots a free kick from a twenty five metres distance which Chimenti can touch but cannot prevent it from getting into goal (3-0).

Juventus start the second half in search of the goal that can reopen the match: after 5 minutes, Emerson puts Nedved through and the latter enters into the box from the left but he’s stopped by Stam before being able to shoot on goal. Three minutes later, Ibrahimovic intercepts Camoranesi’s cross but heads it too high.
On 12’ minutes, Milan get dangerous again with Pirlo who worries Chimenti on a free kick and forces him to deflect the ball for a corner. Capello fields the trident attack on 13’ minutes, replacing Camoranesi with Mutu and two minutes later Nedved engages Dida with a right-footed shot from the edge of the box. The forwards become four when on 26’ minutes Del Piero substitutes Nedved; even if the two substitutes play wide on the flanks, Juventus’s offensive potential grows and they can find the goal on 31’ minutes: Vieira sends Trezeguet in and the Frenchman, gliding, can deflect the ball right past Dida’s back (3-1). Milan attack with Vieri who attempts on goal with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, sending it high in a first occasion and wide off the target in the extra time, while Juventus keep possession of the ball but cannot worry Dida until on 50’ minutes with Del Piero’s fine right-footed volley, cleared by the Rossonero goalkeeper. It’s the last chance in a match played on equal terms but definitely unlucky.

MILAN vs JUVENTUS 3-1

GOALS: 14’ f.h. Seedorf, 26’f.h. Kak?, 45’f.h. Pirlo; 31’ s.h. Trezeguet

MILAN: Dida; Stam, Maldini, Nesta, Serginho; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf (41’ s.h. Kaladze), Kak?; Gilardino (35’ s.h. Cafu), Inzaghi (24’ f.h. Vieri).
Substitutes: Kalac, Costacurta, Vogel, Rui Costa.
Coach:Ancelotti

JUVENTUS: Chimenti, Pessotto (41’ Chiellini), Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi (13’ Mutu), Emerson, Vieira, Nedved (26’ Del Piero); Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet.
Substitutes: Abbiati, Kovac, Giannichedda, Zalayeta.
Coach: Capello

REFEREE: Bertini
YELLOW CARDS: 26’ f.h. Vieira, 48’ f.h. Nesta, 11’ s.h. Thuram, 29’ s.h. Chiellini, 41’ s.h.Vieri

ATTENDANCE: 79.706

PROCEEDS : 1.745.517 Euros

THE MOTHER OF ALL MATCHES
Mood:  lyrical
Topic: General

The most eagerly awaited match is coming, the very match that last year assigned the title, the one where the two undisputed queens of Italian football will be face to face: at San Siro, on Saturday night, record-breaker Juventus meet Milan. If, on one side, the Bianconeri have just made the new record of consecutive wins at the start of the season, on the other side, Ancelotti have achieved a series of six wins, which allowed them to keep up with Juventus pace, even though five points clear of them.

In fact, Milan had most of the troubles at the start of the season: on the first matchday, when they played on a pitch nearly unplayable and they couldn't go any further than a 1-1 against Ascoli and on the third matchday when they were beated by Sampdoria at Marassi. From that time on their march never stopped and although both clubs have scored eighteen goals the difference between the two club lies not only in the five-point gap but also in the goals conceded, seven out of nine matches as for Milan, compared to the two conceded by the Bianconeri.

The challenge has always had a unique appeal but this time it cannot be reckoned as crucial for the title race and the very protagonists have often underlined how the championship is too long to be decided by only one match. If not decisive, the match remains very important: winning at San Siro too would mean for Juventus to stretch their lead over the Rossoneri up to eight points and nine that over Inter; this would shake the morale of their two most dangerous opponents and turn their record-breaking race into a real breakaway.

The precedents


Matches played 71
Wins 17
Draws 30
Defeats 24

Goals
Scored 87
Conceded 102




The last match:

Won
Season 2004/05 35th matchday, May 8th 2005
Milan vs Juventus 0-1
Trezeguet

Drawn
Season 2003/04 8th matchday, November 1st 2003
Milan vs Juventus 1-1
Tomasson, Di Vaio

Lost
Season 2002/03 26th matchday, March 22nd 2003
Milan vs Juventus 2-1
Shevchenko, Nedved, Inzaghi

Precedents between Capello and Ancelotti, Italian Cup included:

Capello's wins: 3
Draws: 8
Ancelotti's wins: 9

Precedents between Capello and Milan Italian Cup included:

Capello's wins: 3
Draws: 6
Milan's wins: 7

Precedents between Juventus and Ancelotti

Juventus' wins: 4
Draws: 9
Ancelotti's wins: 3

Juventus vs Sampdoria 2-0
Mood:  party time!
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Serie A - 26 Oct 2005 - 10:30 PM

Three golden points earned against Sampdoria and a record for football annals. Juventus, thanks to Trezeguet and Mutu goals, continue their relentless march in the championship (9 matches won out of 9 played) breaking the historical record of eight consecutive wins at the start of the season which they already held.

The match at the Delle Alpi starts with few thrills, the first of which comes on 34’ minutes when Nedved drives a great right-footed shot from outside the area, saved by Antonioli, who, however, loses the ball; Trezeguet intercepts it but the goalkeeper can finally clear. Earlier, Mutu had driven a fine shot on the turn that ended past the post (18’) and a Del Piero had beautifully crossed to Trezeguet, with the the latter being anticipated by the Blucerchiati defence (13’). On Sampdoria’s side, actions worth the note are Diana’s shot on goal saved by Chimenti (8’) and Borriello’s finish, which ended past the goalline (11’). In the last fifteen minutes, the game tempo rises and Juventus become more and more dangerous and can finally take the lead on 41’ minutes: following Nedved’s corner, Trezeguet takes advantage of a rebound and shoots it in from a very short distance (1-0). In the final minutes, Cannavaro anticipates Borriello in the box and one minute later Bonazzoli tries a volley that ends past the post.

No changes in the line-up during the break. Capello’s side, at this point in control of the game, double their score on 12’ minutes: Del Piero serves to Trezeguet, then an assist for Mutu brings him into the box and his left-footed shot beats Antonioli (2-0). Sampdoria react on 16’ and 17’ minutes, first with Diana, whose shot is deflected by Cannavaro, then with Bonazzoli, whose header follows Pisano’s cross shot but the balls ends out. On 24’ minutes, Nedved drives a powerful right-footed shot from the edge of the box but it ends high over the crossbar. Capello’s side keeps the match under control until the final whistle. Next fixture is scheduled as the early match on Saturday night against Milan at San Siro.

JUVENTUS – SAMPDORIA 2-0
GOALS: 41’fh Trezeguet, 12’sh Mutu
JUVENTUS: Chimenti; Zambrotta, Kovac, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Mutu (40’sh Balzaretti), Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved; Del Piero (22’sh Zalayeta), Trezeguet (37’sh Camoranesi). Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Bonnefoi, Thuram, Pessotto, Balzaretti, Blasi.
SAMPDORIA: Antonioli; C. Zenoni (19’sh Gasbarroni), Castellini, Pavan, Pisano; Diana, Palombo, Volpi, Tonetto (30’ sh Dalla Bona); Bonazzoli, Borriello (9’sh Kutuzov). Coach: Novellino
Substitutes: Castellazzi, Calzolaio, Sala, Mingozzi
REFEREE: Dattilo
YELLOW CARDS: 43’fh Diana, 4’sh Zambrotta,
ATTENDANCE: 29.977
PROCEEDS: 397.027

Preparing for Juventus - Sampdoria
Mood:  lyrical
Topic: General
The precedents:

Matches Juventus
wins draws Sampdoria
wins Juventus
goals Sampdoria
goals
matches played in TURIN (all Serie A) 49 30 15 4 89 36
matches played in GENOA (all Serie A) 49 17 15 17 60 59
Coppa Italia matches 9 8 -- 1 30 13
Total 107 55 30 22 179 108

LATEST CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH WON BY JUVENTUS
9th May 2004 Serie A 2003/04 – 33rd matchday
JUVENTUS vs SAMPDORIA 2-0
Scorers: 37’ Legrottaglie, 44’ Appiah
Referee: Morganti, from Ascoli Piceno

LATEST CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
4th May 1997 Serie A 1996/97 - 29th matchday
JUVENTUS vs SAMPDORIA 0-0
Referee: Messina, from Bergamo

LATEST CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH WON BY SAMPDORIA
2 Feb 2005 Serie A 2004/05 – 22nd matchday
JUVENTUS vs SAMPDORIA 0-1
Scorers: 34’ Diana
Referee: Messina, from Bergamo

Resulting figures were based on all the fixtures played in National championships (Series A, B, C) from the introduction of the single round (1929/1930) up to today and the fixtures played in Coppa Italia from 1922 up to the present time.

Lecce vs Juventus 0-3
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Juventus take home the eighth consecutive win in the championship and equal their own record, thanks to a sound 3-0 over Lecce. Ibrahimovic unblocks himself scoring his first goal in this season and Mutu and Zalayeta seal the result in the second half.

At Lecce, Capello lines up Del Piero and Ibrahimovic in attack supported by Mutu and with Zambrotta and Chiellini on the flanks. The Bianconeri take immediately up the reins of the game and take the advantage on their first attempt: after 9 minutes, Ibrahimovic breaks away and,once into the area, drives a cross shot that flashes past Sicignano into the bottom corner on his right. Lecce seem bemused by the goal conceded and manage to react only 10 minutes later. Ledesma hits a corner shot from the right and serves Konan on the edge of the box but the striker’s left-footed shot ends high over the crossbar. After 22 minutes, it’s Konan again, but his low cross-shot is not intercepted by Vucinic. On 27’ minutes, Cassetti kicks a cross shot from the right, Abbiati hits the ball with the flat of the hand, the ball arrives to Ledesma who pulls it back in the middle but none of his teammates can reach it. One minute later, Nedved engages Sicignano with a tricky finish from outside the box. On 38’ minutes, Juventus get close to doubling the score: a fine pass between Del Piero and Nedved, the Czech assists Mutu on the edge of the area, a powerful right-footed shot gets hit back by Sicignano, the ball bounces back to Ibrahimovic who, however, misses the target and the ball gets high over the bar.
Two minutes later, the protagonist is Nedved again: the Czech grabs the ball on the edge of the box and sends Ibrahimovic in but the pass is too long and Sicignano successfully anticipate the Swedish forward. On 44’ minutes, Mutu receives the ball from Chiellini in the midfield, drives down to Lecce’s side and tries a right-footed shot but it ends high, while on 46’ minutes, in the extra time, Del Piero earns a free kick from an interesting position; it’s the very captain who shoots but Sicignano manages to clear the last attack of the first half.

In the second half, Capello replaces Ibrahimovic with Zalayeta and the very him, after only 1 minute, heads the ball high over the bar, following Chiellini’s fine cross shot from the flank, while after 8’ he cuts in but his finish is cleared by Sicignano. The match goes on at a quite low pace, also because of the playground made heavy by the rain. Lecce try to fight back with Cassetti, who comes out with a great shot from the distance, deflected into the corner by the Bianconeri defence and three minutes later with Valdes who eventually gets anticipated by Abbiati’s courageous coming out. And it’s just because of this action that the Bianconeri’s goalkeeper has to replaced by Chimenti, while one minute earlier Del Piero had been substituted Camoranesi. Abbiati has only the time to sit down on the bench before celebrating Juventus’s second goal: on 36’ minutes, Mutu receives the ball from Zalayeta and, from outside the box, he drives a powerful left-footed shot that, maybe deflected by Pecorari, slides in behind Sicignano’s back. Lecce get dangerous again on 41’ minutes with a great left-footed cross by Cozzolino, saved by Chimenti, then the ball gets back to Abruzzese but his header ends high over the crossbar. On 46’ minutes, Mutu has the chance to double his personal score but his finish, served by a fine pass from Zalayeta, is cleared by Sicignano. The extra time offers more thrills: on 48’ minutes, Cozzolino intercepts a wandering ball in the box and shoots at goal but Chimenti is very good at clearing, while one minute later Zalayeta is served in the area and scores the third goal for the Bianconeri. It’s the end of the match: Juventus equal their own record of eight consecutive wins in the championship.

LECCE vs JUVENTUS 0-3

GOALS: 9’ f.h. Ibrahimovic, 36’ s.h. Mutu, 49’ s.h. Zalayeta

LECCE: Sicignano; Cassetti, Pecorari, Stovini, Diamoutene; Marianini (30’ s.h. Valdes), Ledesma, Konan, Del Vecchio, Camorani (36’ f.h. Cozzolino); Vucinic.
Substitutes: Benussi, Angelo, Abruzzese, Eremenko, Pell?.
Coach: Baldini

JUVENTUS: Abbiati (35’ s.h. Chimenti); Zambrotta, Kovac, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved Mutu; Del Piero(34’ s.h. Camoranesi), Ibraimovich (1’ s.h. Zalayeta)
Substitutes: Pessotto, Gladstone, Blasi, Trezeguet.
Coach: Capello

YELLOW CARD: 10’ s.h. Cassetti

REFEREE: Racalbuto
ASSISTANT REFEREES : Rosomando, Alvino
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Dattilo

Preparing for Lecce - Juventus
Mood:  sharp
Topic: General

Lecce vs Juventus: the precedents

Matches played at Lecce: 11
Juventus's Wins: 6
Draws: 3
Lecce's wins: 2

Goals
Scored: 26
Conceded: 11

The last match:

Won:
Season 2004/05 12th matchday, November 14th 2004
Lecce-Juventus 0-1
Del Piero

Drawn:
Season 2003/04 14th matchday, December 21th 2003
Lecce-Juventus 1-1
Konan, Trezeguet

Lost
Season 1999/00 4th matchday, September 26th 1999
Lecce-Juventus 2-0
Lima, Conticchio

On the championship’s eighth matchday, Juventus are meeting Silvio Baldini’s Lecce, after Gregucci’s dismissal for their defeat at Empoli. The Puglia-based club has just one objective: to avoid relegation for the third consecutive season, which would happen for the first time ever in their history.

A characteristic feature of the 2004/2005 Lecce is the abundance of goals, scored and conceded. During last season, Vucinic & Co. scored 66 goals, one less than Juventus, but conceded 73, which is nearly 2 per match. Thus Baldini’s aim is that of reducing the number of goals conceded and at the same time maintaining last year’s efficiency in attack. Mirko Vucinic remains their jewel, the young forward who scored 19 goals, without any penalty, in his first season as first-choice at Lecce.

Behind him, Ledesma, Cassetti and Giacomazzi are in charge of the midfield and of causing him to score. So far, things are not going in the best of ways, as the Giallorossi are fourth from the last and the goals conceded are nearly twice as many as those scored, but there’s time to improve and after the change on the bench there have been some positive signs.

However, it’s hard to believe that a sudden change of route can occur against the very Juventus, who have been able to win all the Serie A matches played this season and who are a stone’s throw away from matching the record of consecutive wins in the championship: if they win at Lecce, in fact, the Bianconeri will have their eighth consecutive win, a record achieved only two other times, in 1930 and 1985, and, fancy that, again by Juventus.

Bayern Munchen vs Juventus 2-1
Mood:  sad
Topic: Champions League
Champions League - 18 Oct 2005 - 10:45 PM

First halt of the season for the Bianconeri, beated by Bayern Munchen in the third match of Champions League Group A. It ends 2-1 for the Germans with both goals scored in the first half. Juventus try to hit back in the second half but they can score only on 90’ minutes thanks to Ibrahimovic.
The home side, Bayern Munchen, gets yet dangerous after 3 minutes, when Lizarazu serves Santa Cruz who sends the ball high over the bar. On 10’ minutes, Abbiati saves a tricky free kick from Ballack, while on 20’ minutes it’s Thuram who saves Sagnol’s free kick. The first occasion for the Bianconeri arrives after 22 minutes: Trezeguet passes to Nedved but the Czech’s attempt on goal is too wide. On 26’ minutes, it’s danger on the Bianconeri’s side: Makaay’s free kick gets hit back, Demichelis tries to grab the ball but Abbiati clears. On 32’ minutes, the home side takes the lead thanks to Deisler, whose drive takes Abbiati by surprise bouncing on his legs and going straight onto goal (1-0). Capello’s side tries to fight back: Camoranesi serves Emerson with a free kick, but the resulting header from the Brazilian is countered by Kahn (34’). On 36’ minutes it’s still Camoranesi who puts the ball in for Ibrahimovic, but the latter is anticipated in the corner by Demichelis (35’). On 39’ minutes, Bayern double their score: following Deisler’s corner, Demichelis nods it in (2-0). In the last few minutes, another shot from Camoranesi, which ends high over the crossbar.

During the break, Capello replaces Blasi and Camoranesi with Chiellini and Del Piero. Compared to the first 45 minutes, the Bianconeri seem to be more lively. On 7’ minutes, Ibrahimovic tries to deflect the ball in front of the goal but it gets high over the bar. On 11’ minutes, Del Piero’s free kick is cleared by Kahn. On 13’ minutes, Bayern attack with Makaay, whose volley shot gets past the post. The Bianconeri react just a few seconds later: Nedved crosses to Trezeguet and his finish hits the outside of the net. On 20’ minutes, Capello replaces the Frenchman with Mutu. On 27’, Santa Cruz serves Schweinsteiger into the area but the latter’s shot is saved by Abbiati. After 33 minutes into the second half, Nedved crosses to the centre for Emerson, anticipated by Schweinsteinger in the corner. Del Piero shoots but the action vanishes. On 36’ minutes, it’s Makaay’s attempt on goal but the ball ends high over the bar. One minute later, Abbiati counters first Makaay’s shot then Ze Roberto’s. A great occasion for Juventus occurs on 42’ minutes when Emerson drives a fine right-footed shot but Kahn clears. Two minutes later and Capello reduces the disadvantage: Del Piero shoots it in, Emerson passes to Ibrahimovic who drives down in front of the net and nods the ball in (2-1). The last attack for the Bianconeri takes place in the extra time: Nedved hits a free kick from the left but Kahn saves. It ends 2-1. In two weeks’ time, Juventus and Bayern will meet again, at the Delle Alpi.

BAYERN MUNCHEN- JUVENTUS 2-1
GOALS: 32'fh Deisler, 39'fh Demichelis, 45'sh Ibrahimovic
BAYERN MUNCHEN: Kahn; Sagnol, Lucio, Ismael, Lizarazu (30'fh Schweinsteiger)
; Deisler, Demichelis, Ze Roberto, Ballack; Makaay, Santa Cruz (43'sh
Scholl).Coach: Magath. Substitutes: Dreher, Scholl, Karimi, Pizarro,
Jeremies, Ottl.
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Blasi (1'sh Chiellini), Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta;
Camoranesi (1'sh Del Piero), Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved; Ibraimovich,
Trezeguet (20'sh Mutu). Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Pessotto,
Kovac, Chiellini, Del Piero, Mutu, Zalayeta.
REFEREE: Vasarras (GRE)
YELLOW CARDS: 10'fh Giannichedda, 24'fh Thuram