Wow! Another game for La Viola
involving a wow! This time Prandelli’s
charges manage to beat Juventus in Turin
in a blinder o####ame. Five goals,
brilliant play, tactical shenanigans and edge of the seat excitement. Oh and that is the team the Blues is going to
play on Thursday.
The Stadio Olimpico in Turin is ripe for a tough
European six pointer. With Milan only managing a draw
and Roma winning three points is vital in the hunt for the prime European
spots. A decent and vocal crowd and high
expectations greeted the opening whistle.
Ranierii’s eleven is still
missing some key pieces in the middle and at the back, although still strong. Buffon comes into the ‘keepers spot with a
makeshift back four of Zebina, Legrottaglie, Grygera and Molinaro. Midfield sees Camoranesi and Palladino provide
the attacking flair with Sissoko and Zanetti providing the solidity. Del Piero and Trezeguet partner up
front.
Prandelli; without star forward
and with a UEFA Cup Night in midweek still picks an attacking eleven.
Frey retains the ‘keeper’s jersey
and has a familiar; if not first choice; back four in front of him of Ujfalusi
and Gobbi wide with Gamberini and Kroldrup in the middle. Kuzmanovic, Donadel and Montolivo make up the
midfield with Pazzini leading a three man attack flanked by Santana on the
right and top notch utility player Jorgenson on the left.
Juventus start off sharpish in an
open game, Kuzmanovic almost buries Santana’s cross and Zebina almost finishes
a move he starts with a header just over Frey’s bar.
Fiorentina lay it out and make
you beat them, they play the same home and away and don’t change much as they
profess to be ‘unable to protect a lead’.
They get the ball out wide and
aim for dangerous crosses or cutting runs into the area with midfielders coming late in
support.
Juventus are crossers too and
they also like to play it quickly forward through the middle.
The game unfolds kindly for a
hard working and ebullient Fiorentina, Santana’s runs causing Molinaro all
sorts of problems, Pazzini is a handful for a less than solid back four and
Fiorentina push up or drop back very well as a team. La Viola’s runs at Juve cause all sorts of
problems, Buffon has to be at his best when he’s clearly not 100%.
Another direct run and a lovely one
two sees Gobbi beat Buffon for the opener.
Pushing up from the right back berth the midfielder uses Jorgenson as a
foil before a continuation of his run, a static Juve defence and a great return
from the Dane combine well and a neat finish bulges the back of the net.
More of the same without actually
scoring fills the next ten minutes.
Juve are struggling to mount
meaningful attacks and seeing little of the ball. A free kick from the left sees Frey flail
weakly at the ball in, it drops kindly to Sissoko who uses his Kuyt inspired
Kung Fu and beats Frey with a spectacular overhead kick.
Fiorentina’s fragility comes to
the fore, they still go forward but lack the edge they had in the first half
and Juventus gradually neutralize the threat and finish the half even on honours
and possession. The stalemate continues
into the second half without either team threatening greatly.
Juve look most dangerous
exploiting the space on the break and some tweaking from the bench moves some
players around and pays handsome dividends.
Palladino; exerting more
influence as the game wears on; plays in Molinaro on the right, his back post
cross confuses the Viola centre backs and allows Camoranesi the opportunity to volley
a scorcher in for a two-one lead.
Fragility and glass jaws aside Fiorentina
keep on plugging. Prandelli makes some
astute changes and Osvaldo gets his shot (courtesy of Ujfalusi and the
utilitarian nature of Jorgenson who slots into the right back role!) and the
trickery of Santana is swapped for the pace of Papa Waigo.
Ranierii shuts up shop with the
removal if Camoranesi for Nocerino and he swaps guile for size when Del Piero
is replaced by Iaquinta.
Fiorentina keep attacking and
Juventus keep defending, surely they can hold on at home for another twenty
minutes.
The Bianconeri are woefully
mistaken.
Osvaldo runs at Juve and the
loose ball bounces for Pazzini, he lays it intelligently wide to Papa Waigo who
is given time to take the three touches he needs to slot it beyond Buffon.
Fiorentina keep attacking and
Juventus keep defending, surely they can hold on at home for another fifteen
minutes. Iaquinta had a free kick go
just wide.
The Bianconeri are woefully
mistaken.
La Viola just doesn’t quit, they
may slow up a little but they just keep on attacking. The two substitutes combine again to bag the
injury time winner. Papa Waigo’s pace
allows him some space on the right and he crosses well for Osvaldo to head past
Buffon at the near post.
Ranierii has seen his side slump
to one point in three games and seen Fiorentina close the points gap. Injuries have been a factor but shutting up
shop and then conceding two late on is shoddy at best. The Bianconeri can complain about cheats and
punishment all they want, they have a fine squad, good players and a good
manager, they just aren’t playing as well as they can recently.
Prandelli will be fashionably
delighted. Smart changes freshen up his
side and his tactics were carried out in exemplary fashion by his players. The side is still not at full strength yet
worked hard and created much. La Viola
are young side sprinkled with experience and style. They play a good brand of football with some
good energy and commitment. Five years ago
they were defunct and now they have climbed back into the upper echelons of
Serie A and Europe. They are always susceptible when ahead but do
score freely.
Expect that at home on Thursday
night they play with the same attacking and committed 4 3 3 against Everton; even
though the personnel will be different
The Grand Old Lady of Italian Football hands out a footballing lesson
to the Sicilian outfit in Torino. Start to finish, attack and defence the
Bianconeri give the Rosanero an ‘in your face’ lesson on the application and
execution of footballing brilliance. A
sheer joy to watch such a dazzling display, unless of course you are a Palermo
supporter; in which case you have to wonder, “What went wrong?”
A vibrant and partisan crowd graced
the storied terraces of the Stadio Olimpico in Torino. A chilly but not cold night was the backdrop
for what looked; on paper; as a close game, Juventus were coming off two draws
and Palermo had turned around a run of draws
with a good win over Napoli, close enough in
points on the day to really affect the top of the table.
NEDVED, IAQUINTA AND SOME PALERMO DEFENDERS ADMIRE FRENCH FLAIR AND SKILL AS TREZEGUET GETS THE OPENER.
Ranieri did his tinkering before
the kick off with Del Piero on the bench, denied his first choice defence the
manager went with some second choice players and a returning right back. The line up goes thus, Buffon, Zebina; back
from suspension; Legrottaglie, the youngster Criscito and Molinaro. Camoranesi, Nocerino, Zanetti and Nedved make
up the midfield with Trezeguet and Iaquinta in attack.
Colantuono had the International
break to work with his players. An important
change was forced on him but changing the winning formula was mostly his own
choice. Three at the back protect the
second string ‘keeper Aggliardi in for the ill Fontana, they are Zaccardo, Barzagli and Biava. A five man midfield retains Diana, Simplicio and
Caserta with
Guana and Pisano getting starts. Amauri
rejoins the side and is paired up front alongside Brienza in a 3 5 2 or maybe
that’s 3 5 1 1.
Palermo thinks to push up to crowd the midfield
and overrun Juventus. Guana gives away
an early foul on Nedved and Iaquinta’s powerful shot is well parried by Aggliardi. The strength, pace, closing and sheer quality
of the Juventus front two and midfield forces the midfield five of Palermo to drop deeper to
help out their overwhelmed back three.
Guana; from his position
protecting the back three; clears a ball out o Diana on the right, the Bianconeri
midfield closes down the winger and Nedved roars forward, his cross finds Trezeguet
who fires wide.
Palermo comes forward and Simplicio neatly
nutmegs Nedved but the pass is too heavy for the onrushing Diana and Buffon
collects.
Juventus have plenty of
possession and allow Palermo
no time in the midfield at all. Diana
manages to get forward but his ball in isn’t controlled by Simplicio and
Juventus come away again. Quick passing
and a high tempo allow Trezeguet a shot which sails high.
Camoranesi finds Nedved at the
back post with a well flighted free kick but his touch let’s the Czech down and
the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
The Bianconeri midfield is
playing quick passing, high tempo football in attack and a cloying quick to
close down football when Palermo have the ball, the Palermo midfield is
struggling to play anything forward bar long wasteful balls and often plays
itself into trouble. Occasional forays
by the Rosanero don’t bear fruit with a neat one two move which Brienza starts
with Amauri not quite coming off, then the Palermo number 19 is closed down
easily by Zebina and Legrottaglie.
Zebina is showing a touch of rust
in his passing but his defending hasn’t suffered in his absence.
Caserta
forces a corner kick for Palermo
but a packed Juventus defence clears the poor delivery easily.
The Palermo midfield is being out played and out fought;
they give up possession 15 yards from their area when Nedved is hauled
down. Iaquinta’s free kick is almost the
same as his first, low and powerful, Aggliardi’s save turns it around the
post. The second choice keeper gets away
with a rash decision to come out, Palermo
are hanging onto nil-nil by their fingertips.
A rare Palermo attack on the right ends in a disappointing
Diana cross. Buffon clears upfield and Molinaro
takes the opportunity to get forward and have a shot, Aggliardi turns the ball
behind and Juventus crowd the area for the corner kick.
The first two deliveries are put
behind, the third Camoranesi ball in is met at the back post by Legrottaglie
who heads back into the six yards box, Trezeguet shows his stunning finishing
with a fantastic goal, the Frenchman is leaning back as he hooks the ball over
his shoulder past the defenders on the line and Aggliardi.
Palermo find some time and space
on the right again, Diana get the opportunity to deliver a good ball into the
box but his cross hits the first defender and Juve clear and go upfield,
Nedved; who is having an excellent game; breaks into the space vacated by
Diana, he plays in Molinaro but the final ball is poor; straight at Aggliardi.
Camoranesi; full of running,
ideas and graft; plays the ball down the left channel where it is hooked into
the danger area by Biava, Nedved steps up and see’s his goalbound effort
blocked athletically and desperately by Barzagli.
Juventus stifle Palermo again then attack but the cross is
poor.
Molinaro gets forward again and Aggliardi
comes out bravely to save at the fullback’s feet.
Palermo gets forward but Pisano’s cross is
easy for the Bianconeri defence.
The Palermo midfield gives the ball away, again
and Juventus attack in numbers Trezeguet plays in Nedved but the ball in is easily
claimed by Aggliardi.
Palermo break but again the final ball in is
poor. Palermo manages to break up a Juventus attack
and force a corner but the ball in is easily cleared by Juventus.
Camoranesi gets the ball wide on
the right and delivers a great cross into the near post, the low hard delivery
is dealt with badly by Barzagli under pressure from Iaquinta, the striker keep’s
his head and poke the ball over Aggliardi.
Zaccardo gets the ball out wide
but Buffon claims his cross with ease.
Neither Colantuono makes plenty
of changes at the half. Personnel wise
he brings on Cavani for Caserta, tactics wise he drops Pisano into a back four
and uses Brienza in the space between midfield and the strikers. A tactic that worked so well against Napoli.
Juventus start the second half as they ended the first; they
dominate midfield and have more possession and attacks, Trezeguet slicing an
early chance high and wide. Camoranesi
finds Trezeguet out wide and the high cross is met by Nedved whose cheeky
header goes just over.
Nedved is having a marvelous game, running things in
midfield with incisive passing and running and his work rate is exceptional.
The next attack is Palermo’s but it again comes to nothing, Brienza
wins a corner kick on the right; he is getting more into the game with
Colantuono playing a 4 4 2; the ball is delivered to the back post where
Zaccardo volleys at goal, Buffon earns his corn with a fine scrambled save to
smother the shot.
Iaquinta; more mobile in the second half; gets onto the end
of a Camoranesi corner but heads over.
Juventus have dropped the pace a little in the second half,
the four man midfield of Palermo
is working better than their five man midfield but they aren’t really applying
any sustained pressure to the home side.
Amauri gets his best chance thus far with a good run onto a
Pisano cross; he beats Criscito to the ball but heads over. This is the first time all game that Palermo have managed to
pressure and isolate the young Juventus defender.
Iaquinta wins a corner kick on the right and the ball in is
half cleared by Aggliardi, Simplicio half clears the second ball but Juventus
win possession, Molinaro and Nedved work hard on the left and a cheeky Nedved
back heel finds Molinaro in space, the fullback runs at goal and with the
defenders beaten his cross passes just behind Trezeguet and Iaquinta,
Camoranesi keeps possession and sends the ball back in, Iaquinta heads towards
goal but Aggliardi is athletic enough to prevent the goal.
Colantuono decides to bring on the attack minded Bresciani
but takes off Brienza who was playing well.
Cavani gets onto Pisano’s cross but can’t direct the
ball.
Juve are starting to sit just behind the half way line and
absorb any Palermo pressure, when they break the Rosanero attacks down they are
primed to attack in number or break quickly.
Iaquinta is brought off to be replaced by the talismanic Del
Piero; fresh from not playing for Italy in the week; he creates havoc
immediately with a slick one two with Trezeguet which almost sees him clear on
goal.
Moments later he gets the opportunity for his 138th
Juventus goal, Nedved sells minimal contact and wins a dubious free kick, Del
Piero steps up and curls the ball around the wall and inside the post, Aggliardi
is rooted to the spot and can only watch as the ball fizzes past him. Wonderful delivery.
Palermo
is deflated and Juventus are able to attack at will, their defence remaining
firm when the visitors actually manage to threaten.
A Palermo free kick sees them push forward, the ball comes
out and quickly with Del Piero, his forward runs draw in defenders and his
slotted through ball bypassed Trezeguet and finds substitute Marchionni on the
right, the young striker takes a touch to take Aggliardi out of the game then
slots the ball into the net.
The composure and finish may grace the Stadio Olimpico for
years to come.
Palermo manage to thwart a fifth with some last minute
defending as Del Piero gets forward and crosses to Nedved, the Czech’s volley
is goalbound but a pink shirted defender flings himself in the way.
Del Piero shows his passion when he berates Palladino in the
80th minute.
A chance of r a consolation falls to Amauri but the Brazilian’s
turn and shot from twenty yards out see the ball fly straight at Buffon.
Juve break in the dying minutes of the game with Nedved in
the left channel, the wily Czech dives over the challenge from the Palermo defender and makes
sure the referee sees his trailing leg catch the prone defender before his
theatrical roll and leg gripped in agony play starts. The penalty kick won he gets up and is
miraculously fine; this sort of blatant cheating is awful to watch but even
more awful when the referee is conned by it.
Del Piero duly gets his second for a five – nil trouncing of
Palermo.
Ranieri will be pleased that his
makeshift defence held firm and his midfield stifled the game out of Palermo. Keeping Del Piero on the bench worked as
well. This sort of display will but the
heebie jeebies up some of Juve’s Serie A rivals and keeps the pressure firmly
on Internaz ionale and Roma at the top.
Overall it was a brilliant
display by Juventus, the whole team worked hard and shone technically,
Trezeguet and Nedved stood out as having particularly good games.
Colantuono will be in fear of his
job after this slaughter. His tactics failed in the first half, albeit against
a vastly superior team. In the second
half his changes slowed Juventus down a tad but not enough for Palermo to actually get into the game. They were well beaten by a better team.
The referee; Saccani; is only 41
and has had 85 other Serie A games, his 86th was mostly good. Pretty fair to both sides and a believer that
the play should be interrupted as little as possible, perhaps a few of his
cards were hasty but the sorts of infringements he carded are being targeted in
Serie A.
Overall the referee did rather
well, but for his failure to recognize Nedved as a diving cheat. The Czech’s theatrics led to two goals, which
probably didn’t change the game but takes the shine of####enerally good
refereeing performance and a brilliant night from the veteran.
