Wednesday, July 30, 2008
TIM Still Taboo As AC Milan Win On Penalties
For once Juventus looked to have broken the TIM Trophy taboo, but yet again in summer 2008 they were unable to win this particular tournament. AC Milan took advantage of the rules and won the trophy thanks to two wins on penalties.
In front of a 25,000-strong crowd at the Olimpico, Ranieri's men beat Inter Milan (1-0, goal by Iaquinta) and drew 2-2 with the Rossoneri (goals by Trezeguet and Marchionni and two by Seedorf, elected best player of the tournament), but it wasn't enough. The penalty defeat against AC Milan was fatal as the Rossoneri beat their city rivals in the same way after the 45-minute derby match ended 0-0.
Despite the Trophy slipping away due to the tournament's rules, Claudio Ranieri ended the evening with a lot of useful notes for the team's prosecution this season. The Bianconeri also put more “fuel” in the tank and not even Amauri's second “head bang” (after the one during the Mezzocorona game) created any real problems.
The strikers scored three goals in 90 minutes, Trezeguet finding one again at last too, and the defence didn't suffer too much: they were only beaten by two Seedorf inventions from long range. Young players Ekdal and Rossi did well again and are more than ever in the spotlight.
Now, after a day of rest, Juventus will go on a tour of England, playing against Arsenal, Hamburg and Manchester United, three games that will tell us a lot about the team's condition.
JUVENTUS-AC MILAN 4-6 pen (2-2)
Not even the Olimpico seems to be able to break the TIM taboo. Juventus lost their first match on penalties just when they looked all set to get a well-deserved win.
After going one goal down early on due to a great long-distance Seedorf strike after 6 minutes, the Bianconeri came back into the game. Marchionni was the decisive man, first putting the ball in perfectly for Trezeguet to equalize (in the 7th minute), then heading in a Grygera cross himself after 11 minutes, and then almost scoring the third goal with a long-range shot after 13 minutes, deflected by Kalac.
Ranieri's men were in control of the match and went close again with Nedved and Chiellini. It looked to be all over, but it was Seedorf once more who found the right shot, equalizing the game at 2-2 and sending everyone on to penalties.
Alas, the penalties proved fatal. Trezeguet and Tiago missed theirs, while the Rossoneri were perfect from the spot. Ancelotti's team now have two points, Ranieri's one and they immediately have to play against Inter Milan.
JUVENTUS-INTER MILAN 1-0
The Bianconeri made up for losing to AC Milan in the first game by beating Inter Milan in the second after 45 riveting minutes.
It ended 1-0 thanks to a Vincenzo Iaquinta goal after 27 minutes, fed by a perfect Legrottaglie pass. There were several chances on both sides with Del Piero (who incredibly hit the post twice in a row well into injury time), Camoranesi, Poulsen (who'd come on just before the goal) and young player Rossi in the spotlight and a sensational save by Buffon at the end.
Sauce: Juventus.com
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