Thursday, August 7, 2008
Juve Shine In Manchester Celebration
The most eagerly awaited news came almost before setting foot on the pitch: Artmedia couldn't waste their chance to make history and quickly got rid of Tampere. With all doubts gone, Juventus went on to show everyone that they can be contenders in Europe this year.
Again against Manchester United, under a heavy rainfall, Ranieri's team held their own, and earned a 0-0 draw; perhaps they would’ve even deserved to win as they had more chances to score.
After the two games played within hours of each other at the super-modern Emirates Stadium, Juventus visited another temple of English football: Manchester's Old Trafford. Ranieri faced the reigning European and English champions with this line up: Buffon in goal, Grygera at right back, Legrottaglie and Mellberg central defenders and Chiellini on the left, in place of Molinaro, injured. In midfield, Camoranesi, Sissoko, Poulsen and Salihamidzic, the latter replacing Nedved, who wasn't fully fit; up front, Del Piero with Iaquinta.
The Bianconeri had a cautious start, as the Red Devils were pushed on by their enthusiastic fans. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney missing, it was up to Tevez and Fletcher to create the first two chances, but there were no risks for Buffon. Ranieri's team grew with each passing minute. Mellberg and Legrottaglie starting leaving less and less space to the English forwards, Sissoko and Poulsen dominated proceedings in midfield, and Camoranesi and Del Piero injected a bit of creativity up front.
Between the 20th and the 25th minute, Juventus had as many as three chances, with Del Piero, Iaquinta and the Captain again, but every time former Juve keeper Van der Sar was well protected by his team mates, especially the experienced Ferdinard. Before the break, Camoranesi went close with a header from a corner kick situation.
At the beginning of the second half, Ranieri put on Amauri for Iaquinta and after 60 minutes of play Marchionni replaced Camoranesi, who had just created havoc in United's penalty area again. After 65 minutes Juve quickly went on the counter-attack, ending it with a Sissoko right-footer, well saved by Van der Sar on his near post. Two minutes later, Marchionni shot with his left foot but the Dutch keeper saved again.
Midway through the second half, Trezeguet came on for Del Piero, who was applauded by the whole Old Trafford crowd as he walked off. Seconds later, an excited Fausto Rossi got his chance to play, taking Salihamidzic's place. Ten minutes from the end, one of the stars of the match, Sissoko, was replaced by Ekdal. In the 85th minute Amauri tried a header but the ball went high. Then in the last minute Poulsen came off, replaced by Tiago. But the score itself didn't change: 0-0 and the celebration came to an end.
Juventus have another important game under their belts now and also finished their tour, which has showed a lot of their potential. Ranieri has had the chance to take plenty of notes in England and now there’s one thing he knows for sure: the name of the team Juve will face in the third round qualifier. And in seven days everyone will see Artmedia Bratislava’s true strength. It won't be a friendly this time and the result will be the most vital thing of all.
Sauce: Juventus.com
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