Claudio Ranieri was forced into making one change to his side that beat Parma on Wednesday with Nicola Legrottaglie coming in for the injured Giorgio Chiellini. Cristiano Zanetti made his long awaited comeback which had seen him miss the previous six games and Pavel Nedved returned to the starting lineup after his head injury had seen him miss a game and make an appearance from the bench.
Ranieri stuck will his 4-4-2 formation with Cristian Molinaro and Zdenek Grygera at the fullback positions, Guglielmo Stendardo and Nicola Legrottaglie were in the center of defence. Antonino Nocerino and Cristiano Zanetti were in the center of midfield and Mauro Camoranesi was moved back to his preferred position as a right winger, with Pavel Nedved on the left wing. David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero were Juve's strike force against Atalanta, the duo have scored 35 goals between themselves and are the most prolific strike partnership in all of Serie A.
It was another clean sheet for the Bianconero's defenders, which is the second in consecutive games. The overall performance from a defensive point of view was good but there were times when things could of changed if Atalanta had their shooting boots on. The central defensive partnership of Stendardo and Legrottaglie did get court out a few times when Atalanta were looking to get themselves back into the match, neither central defender coped well with Atalanta crosses and there were chances the home team had which should of been goals.
The return of Cristiano Zanetti from injury was a huge news for the Bianconero, Zanetti was in great form before he got injured and his performance against Atalanta showed what Juve have lacked in his absence. His passing and vision was especially good, he set up Juve's third goal and controlled the midfield. Zanetti's midfield partner Nocerino didn't have the best of games, his first half performance was poor he kept giving the ball away with bad passing and was unable to control the ball when he needed to.
Pavel Nedved's return to the starting line up was a mixed display, he gave 100% as usual and played a good game defensively, but he seemed to lack that bust of speed we've all come accustom to. Camoranesi gave another excellent display his dribbling and creativity always caused Atalanta problems.
The most prolific strike partnership in Serie A had a fantastic game, Del Piero scored a hat trick and Trezeguet had two assist. David's performance against Atalanta was something were not accustom seeing from him, he chased down a lot, helped out with defensive work and laid on two assist. Despite not scoring a goal David was key in the victory with his never give up attitude.
What more can you say about Alessandro Del Piero, he has been in great form all season and is a vital part of the Juve system, when Del Piero is struggling Juve have found it difficult to win games. His hat trick against Atalanta was the first time he's scored one since the 2004/2005 season against Siena. If Ale isn't called up for Euro 2008 it would be such a waste of a player that has been in great form and can give so much to a team.
The return of Cristiano Zanetti from injury was a huge news for the Bianconero, Zanetti was in great form before he got injured and his performance against Atalanta showed what Juve have lacked in his absence. His passing and vision was especially good, he set up Juve's third goal and controlled the midfield. Zanetti's midfield partner Nocerino didn't have the best of games, his first half performance was poor he kept giving the ball away with bad passing and was unable to control the ball when he needed to.
Pavel Nedved's return to the starting line up was a mixed display, he gave 100% as usual and played a good game defensively, but he seemed to lack that bust of speed we've all come accustom to. Camoranesi gave another excellent display his dribbling and creativity always caused Atalanta problems.
The most prolific strike partnership in Serie A had a fantastic game, Del Piero scored a hat trick and Trezeguet had two assist. David's performance against Atalanta was something were not accustom seeing from him, he chased down a lot, helped out with defensive work and laid on two assist. Despite not scoring a goal David was key in the victory with his never give up attitude.
What more can you say about Alessandro Del Piero, he has been in great form all season and is a vital part of the Juve system, when Del Piero is struggling Juve have found it difficult to win games. His hat trick against Atalanta was the first time he's scored one since the 2004/2005 season against Siena. If Ale isn't called up for Euro 2008 it would be such a waste of a player that has been in great form and can give so much to a team.
Overall:
1st Half:
Within the first minute Juve took the lead, a Del Piero free kick from the left wing found its way to Legrottaglie who powered a header at goal which gave the keeper no chance.
It was then 2-0 on five mintues when Camoranesi floated a ball into the box which Trezeguet headed down to an unmarked Del Piero who volleyed it in from six yards.
David Trezeguet almost added a third after been played into the box he faked to shoot on his right and pulled the ball to shoot on his left but his shot was saved by the Atalanta keeper.
Atalanta then had their first chance of the game when Giampaolo Bellini's left-foot screamer whistled wide making Buffon scramble along his goal line.
Atalanta were pilling on the pressure trying to find a way back into the game and had numerous chances to score. Buffon was called into action following Manfredini’s header and Floccari could and should have grabbed one fowling a cross from the left his header was wide.
Juventus then added their third goal, Cristiano Zanetti played a wonderful threw ball for Del Piero who broke the offside trap and was one on one with the keeper and calmly placed the ball past the Atalanta keeper.
Del Piero almost completed his first half hat trick, after good work on the right, but his shot flew over the bar.
2nd Half:
Atalanta were trying everything to get back into the game, Marconi tested Buffon with a long range shot but the Juve Keeper had it covered.
Del Piero then had another chance to complete his hat trick, Pavel Nedved crossed the ball from the left and it found Del Piero who volleyed a shot but the Atalanta keeper was forced into a good save.
Tiago was then brought on to replace Cristiano Zanetti who is not match fit yet. The Portuguese midfielder slowed the game down and dictated the play.
David Trezeguet then setup up Del Piero to complete his hat trick, Trezeguet chipped the ball over the Atalanta defence which Del Piero half volleyed in at goal.
Trezeguet really wanted to score in this game but every time Juve got into a good position the final ball was missing, and David would of been one on one with the keeper.
Marco Marchionni and Raffaele Palladino then came on for Mauro Camoranesi and Alessandro Del Piero. Del Piero got a standing ovation from the whole stadium after his magnificent performance.
1st Half:
Within the first minute Juve took the lead, a Del Piero free kick from the left wing found its way to Legrottaglie who powered a header at goal which gave the keeper no chance.
It was then 2-0 on five mintues when Camoranesi floated a ball into the box which Trezeguet headed down to an unmarked Del Piero who volleyed it in from six yards.
David Trezeguet almost added a third after been played into the box he faked to shoot on his right and pulled the ball to shoot on his left but his shot was saved by the Atalanta keeper.
Atalanta then had their first chance of the game when Giampaolo Bellini's left-foot screamer whistled wide making Buffon scramble along his goal line.
Atalanta were pilling on the pressure trying to find a way back into the game and had numerous chances to score. Buffon was called into action following Manfredini’s header and Floccari could and should have grabbed one fowling a cross from the left his header was wide.
Juventus then added their third goal, Cristiano Zanetti played a wonderful threw ball for Del Piero who broke the offside trap and was one on one with the keeper and calmly placed the ball past the Atalanta keeper.
Del Piero almost completed his first half hat trick, after good work on the right, but his shot flew over the bar.
2nd Half:
Atalanta were trying everything to get back into the game, Marconi tested Buffon with a long range shot but the Juve Keeper had it covered.
Del Piero then had another chance to complete his hat trick, Pavel Nedved crossed the ball from the left and it found Del Piero who volleyed a shot but the Atalanta keeper was forced into a good save.
Tiago was then brought on to replace Cristiano Zanetti who is not match fit yet. The Portuguese midfielder slowed the game down and dictated the play.
David Trezeguet then setup up Del Piero to complete his hat trick, Trezeguet chipped the ball over the Atalanta defence which Del Piero half volleyed in at goal.
Trezeguet really wanted to score in this game but every time Juve got into a good position the final ball was missing, and David would of been one on one with the keeper.
Marco Marchionni and Raffaele Palladino then came on for Mauro Camoranesi and Alessandro Del Piero. Del Piero got a standing ovation from the whole stadium after his magnificent performance.
Player Ratings:
Buffon: 6.5 - Did well and never really was tested another solid game from Gigi.
Grygera: 6 - Played well and got up and down the pitch to help out in all areas.
Stendardo: 6 - He made a few mistakes but nothing to costly, has looked very good in the games he has played, dose lack speed.
Legrottaglie: 7 - Scored a goal and was a real rock at the back and rarely got beaten to the ball.
Molinaro: 6 - Like Grygera got up and down the pitch well helping out teammates.
Camoranesi: 7 - He brings all the creativity to Juve with his runs and threw balls, was causing havoc in the midfield.
Nocerino: 6 - His passing was poor particularly in the first half, when ever he got the ball he didn't know what to do with it and just gave it away.
Zanetti: 7 - His passing and vision were great in this game, setup Juve's third goal, good to see him on the pitch again.
Nedved: 6 - Didn't do much on the attacking front but did help out a lot in defensive work
Trezeguet: 7.5 - Setup two Juve goals and did a lot of running to help out in other areas, if he scored would of been a perfect game from Trezegol.
Del Piero: 8.5 - Scored a hat trick and setup Juve's first goal, he was causing havoc all day, playing like he was when he first started at Juve.
Substitutes:
Tiago: 6 - Controlled the game when he came on and slowed it down, always looking to get involved.
Marchionni: 6 - Is coming back from long term injury needs time to get his touch back
Palladino: 6 - Was doing a lot of chasing closing down the opponents, still trying to do to with the ball when instead he should move it on quickly.
Manager:
Ranieri: 6.5 - He put out a good team, this was once his first choice stating eleven and it showed with the connection between the players. The game was over after the first 5 minutes, and credit has to go to Ranieri for the mentality that he got into the team.
Buffon: 6.5 - Did well and never really was tested another solid game from Gigi.
Grygera: 6 - Played well and got up and down the pitch to help out in all areas.
Stendardo: 6 - He made a few mistakes but nothing to costly, has looked very good in the games he has played, dose lack speed.
Legrottaglie: 7 - Scored a goal and was a real rock at the back and rarely got beaten to the ball.
Molinaro: 6 - Like Grygera got up and down the pitch well helping out teammates.
Camoranesi: 7 - He brings all the creativity to Juve with his runs and threw balls, was causing havoc in the midfield.
Nocerino: 6 - His passing was poor particularly in the first half, when ever he got the ball he didn't know what to do with it and just gave it away.
Zanetti: 7 - His passing and vision were great in this game, setup Juve's third goal, good to see him on the pitch again.
Nedved: 6 - Didn't do much on the attacking front but did help out a lot in defensive work
Trezeguet: 7.5 - Setup two Juve goals and did a lot of running to help out in other areas, if he scored would of been a perfect game from Trezegol.
Del Piero: 8.5 - Scored a hat trick and setup Juve's first goal, he was causing havoc all day, playing like he was when he first started at Juve.
Substitutes:
Tiago: 6 - Controlled the game when he came on and slowed it down, always looking to get involved.
Marchionni: 6 - Is coming back from long term injury needs time to get his touch back
Palladino: 6 - Was doing a lot of chasing closing down the opponents, still trying to do to with the ball when instead he should move it on quickly.
Manager:
Ranieri: 6.5 - He put out a good team, this was once his first choice stating eleven and it showed with the connection between the players. The game was over after the first 5 minutes, and credit has to go to Ranieri for the mentality that he got into the team.
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