Saturday, February 28, 2009
Juventus - Napoli 1-0
A goal by Marco Marchionni late in the first half was enough for Juventus to beat Napoli at home and move within six points of leaders Inter.
Juventus were looking for revenge in tonight’s home match against Napoli, who beat them 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo earlier this season. Only a victory would do for Claudio Ranieri’s side if they were going to keep the title race somewhat alive, while Napoli were coming off a very negative run of results.
The home side played in a 4-4-2 formation with captain Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet up front, while Edy Reja’s side played in a 3-5-2 with German Denis and Ezequiel Lavezzi in attack.
First Half
Juventus quickly took control of the match and made themselves dangerous repeatedly in the opening part of the first half. In the 11th minute, Del Piero made a run to the center from the right and fired a left-footed shot, but it was too central and goalkeeper Nicolas Navarro was able to grab it.
Four minutes later, the home side missed a huge chance, as Marco Marchionni sent in a dangerous cross that was volleyed in by Trezeguet, who forced Navarro into a difficult save, and on the rebound Sebastian Giovinco incredibly fired the ball over the bar from close range.
In the 17th minute, Del Piero tried to open the score with one of his trademark free kicks, but Navarro managed to tip his dangerous shot over the bar.
After a rather quiet period in the match, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was called into action for the first time in the 38th minute, when he came up with a brilliant reflex save to keep out a close range effort by Marek Hamsik after Denis found him with a touch off his heel.
A minute later, the home side responded as Christian Poulsen found Del Piero inside the area, and Navarro managed to anticipate the Juve captain, but the ball came to Marchionni who proceeded to fire the ball wide of the goal from a difficult position.
Juve deservedly took the lead just before the break, in the 44th minute, when Marchisio fired a shot from distance that took a decisive deflection off Manuele Blasi and beat Navarro.
The first half thus finished deservedly 1-0 to Juventus against a Napoli side who disappointed yet again.
Second Half
For the second half, Reja decided to insert new purchase Jesus Datolo for Francesco Montervino during half time to give the team more attacking impulses.
The Argentinean playmaker made an immediate impact with some dangerous crosses and set pieces. In the 57th minute, one his free kicks was nearly headed in by Michele Pazienza, but he sent the ball just wide.
Del Piero had a half-chance a few minutes later, after winning the ball as Napoli made a mistake in their buildup, but he couldn’t hold on to it as he tried to make a run towards the goal.
The home side limited themselves to containing Napoli, who looked downbeat following their poor recent results, so chance were few and far between. In the 77th minute, Trezeguet made himself dangerous with a nice individual move concluded with a left footed shot from a dangerous position, which was deflected out by Matteo Contini for a corner.
Three minutes later, Marchionni found the French striker in a good position in the area, but he had a poor control and was forced pass the ball back to substitute Amauri, who headed the ball wide.
In the final minutes of the match, Napoli started to come forward more as they went in search for an equaliser. Two minutes before full time, there was a dubious episode as Datolo sent in a free kick that was met by Paolo Cannavaro, whose close range shot was parried by Buffon, but only as far as Lavezzi who tapped the ball in. However, the ‘goal’ was canceled for an offside position by the Napoli defender.
That was the only real chance for the visitors, who were forced to swallow another negative result when the referee blew his whistle after four minutes of injury time. Meanwhile, Juventus managed to put some pressure on Inter, who are now just six points away ahead of their home match against Roma tomorrow night.
Teams
Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie (72’ Mellberg), Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Poulsen, Marchisio, Giovinco (63’ Salihamidzic); Trezeguet, Del Piero (68’ Amauri). Coach: Ranieri.
Napoli (3-5-2): Navarro; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Montervino (46’ Datolo), Pazienza (78’ Russotto), Blasi, Hamsik, Vitale (78’ Aronica); Denis, Lavezzi. Coach: Reja.
Goals: 44’ Marchionni (J)
Booked: Legrottaglie, Chiellini (J)
Danilo Pochini,
Goal.com
Pictures:
1 comments:
Oh how I love Alessandro del Piero, he is so hot, and sexy! I wish they will let him play! Thank you for your useful information about this weekend of Feb, 2009!
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