Sunday, December 7, 2008
Lecce - Juventus 1-2
Amauri scored a priceless 89th minute winner, as Juventus escaped from jail to beat Lecce, in a game which witnessed two brilliant individual goals by Sebastian Giovinco and Daniele Cacia
Build Up & Team News
Lecce came into this game hovering just above the relegation zone, having not won in Serie A since way back in week five. The Salentini were handicapped by the absence of Basta, Mihoubi, Ardito, and Zanchetta. Jose Castillo and Simone Tiribocchi led the attack.
Juventus were desperate for a win, in order to cut Inter's nine point lead at the top of the table. The Bianconeri still had a packed-full treatment room, with Andrade, Zebina, Trezeguet, Buffon, Salihamidzic, Knezevic, Poulsen, Tiago, Camoranesi, and Del Piero all injured. Marco Marchionni and Sebastian Giovinco replaced the latter two absentees, with the 'Atomic Ant' partnering Amauri up-front.
First Half
The start of the game was very scrappy, with passes going astray all over the pitch, and it took until the tenth minute for either side to register a shot, as Momo Sissoko's screwed a miss-hit effort well wide.
Giovinco came to life on 17 minutes with a sizzling solo run past three players, a move which eventually ended with Marchionni horribly slicing the ball when well positioned.
Giovinco created another opening a minute later, curling a free kick from the right to the back post, but Giorgio Chiellini and Nicola Legrottaglie went for the same ball and the chance was wasted.
On 24 minutes, Lecce goalkeeper Francesco Benussi misjudged a cross, but Sissoko was unable to shoot through the traffic into the unguarded net. Giovinco also saw an attempt charged down by Guglielmo Stendardo, following a glorious piece of skill inside the box.
All in all though, the first half was a dreadfully dull affair. Juventus completely dominated the possession and territorial advantage, but their attacks were very slow and predictable.
Giovinco was the only player on the pitch shining in an attacking sense and, three minutes before the break, he lost his marker with a brilliant first touch and was inches away from sliding Marchionni through on goal.
Lecce did not register their first shot of the game until first half injury time when Tiribocchi cut inside from the left and fired the ball well off target.
Second Half
Into the second half, and Claudio Marchisio immediately tried his luck from long range, but it was easy for Benussi.
Juventus created their best chance of the game so far on 51 minutes, as Giovinco surged past Schiavi on the left, and cut the ball back for Amauri eight yeards out, but the Brazilian's finish was poor.
It was inevitable that if someone was going to break the deadlock it was going to be Giovinco, and indeed it was on 56 minutes. The 21-year-old curled a majestic 25-yard free kick over the wall, and into the top corner, to put Juve ahead. The execution was Del Piero-esque.
A minute later, Giovinco created another chance for his team, by locating Sissoko, who in turn found Amauri, but the striker saw his goal-bound shot blocked.
Lecce created their best opportunity of the game so far midway through the second half, as Tiribocchi found himself half a yard in the box, and nodded the ball just wide from a right wing cross.
Substitute Fabio Caserta tested Manninger from 25 yards, as Lecce showed improvement going into the last 15 minutes. There was then a blow for Juventus as Legrottaglie was booked for a foul on Tiribocchi, meaning that he will now be suspended for next week's big game against Milan.
Lecce were threatening more and more, and with 10 minutes remaining Castillo fluffed an absolute sitter to level the scores, heading over from just yards out, when it appeared impossible to miss.
The same striker had another opportunity soon after, forcing Manninger into a smart stop at his near post. Tirobocchi also fired over the bar.
The goal was coming, and with 83 minutes on the clock it arrived, courtesy of substitute Daniele Cacia, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes. The striker connected beautifully with a first time left foot volley from Tiribocchi's cross, and the scores were level.
Giovinco attempted to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and he created a fine opportunity for Chiellini from a free kick, but the defender misjudged the flight of the ball, and the chance was lost.
The game seemed to be slipping away from Juve, but with just one minute remaining, Amauri rescued his side. Substitute Paolo De Ceglie crossed from the right, and Amauri charged in with a bullet header from close range to win Juve all three points.
Teams
Lecce: Benussi, Schiavi (Giuliatto 69), Stendardo, Fabiano, Esposito, Munari (Cacia 79), Giacomazzi, Vives, Ariatti (Caserta 69), Castillo, Tiribocchi
Juventus: Manninger, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro, Marchionni (De Ceglie 81), Sissoko, Marchisio, Nedved, Giovinco, Amauri
Goals
Giovinco 56 (J)
Cacia 83 (L)
Amauri 89 (J)
Anthony Sormani
Goal.com
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