Juventus struggled in their midweek game away to Empoli and up next for the Bianconero were Serie A leaders Inter who also found it difficult during their midweek fixture by drawing away at Genoa. Both teams have struggled in recent weeks and neither have played their best football lately which made this encounter more important for both sides.
Claudio Ranieri stuck with his favored 4-2-2 formation and recalled Mohamed Sissoko, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet to the starting line up after their midweek rest. Jonathan Zebina who was expected to start at right back, picked up a injury before kick off and was replaced by Zdenek Grygera. Hasan Salihamidzic kept his spot in the starting eleven despite his lack luster performance against Empoli and Mauro Camoranesi was chosen to play an unfamiliar role as a center midfielder.
In one of Juve's best displays of the season the starting 11 picked by Ranieri performed well above expectations, with each player playing for the team and not themselves. The defensive display put on by the Bianconero was excellent, with Nicola Legrottaglie and Giorgio Chiellini in the center and Cristian Molinaro and Zdenek Grygera at the full back positions they never put a foot wrong and didn't give Inter's strikers any real opportunities.
One of the key defensive battles was Chiellini VS Ibrahimovic after their first encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in Torino where Chiellini destroyed Ibrahimovic, the result didn't change in Milan with Ibrahimovic not having a impact on the game at all and Giorgio going from strength to strength.
One of the key defensive battles was Chiellini VS Ibrahimovic after their first encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in Torino where Chiellini destroyed Ibrahimovic, the result didn't change in Milan with Ibrahimovic not having a impact on the game at all and Giorgio going from strength to strength.
With the return of Sissoko to the center mid role Juventus had a real presence and muscle which was missing against Empoli and with the experience of Nedved and Camoranesi in these big matches the midfield performed well, the only downside was the performance of Salihamidzic who never gave anything going forward but did have a good game defensively.
Ranieri's decision to play Camoranesi in the center midfield role had it's positives and negatives. Camoranesi determination and never give up attitude was on show against Inter the world cup winner was excellent going forward and used all his creativity and dribbling skills to put Inter's midfielder's under consistence pressure. The downside of Camoranesi playing in the center is that Juve lose their best winger, he's the only one that can run down the flanks get past his opponent and put a cross into the box. He hangs on to the ball for to long and losers possession and he gets court out of position by returning to his familiar role as a right winger. Although Camoranesi did play well against Inter and scored the opening goal his natural position is a winger and he should stay as a winger, the player himself has also said that he would rather play on the wing.
Ranieri's decision to play Camoranesi in the center midfield role had it's positives and negatives. Camoranesi determination and never give up attitude was on show against Inter the world cup winner was excellent going forward and used all his creativity and dribbling skills to put Inter's midfielder's under consistence pressure. The downside of Camoranesi playing in the center is that Juve lose their best winger, he's the only one that can run down the flanks get past his opponent and put a cross into the box. He hangs on to the ball for to long and losers possession and he gets court out of position by returning to his familiar role as a right winger. Although Camoranesi did play well against Inter and scored the opening goal his natural position is a winger and he should stay as a winger, the player himself has also said that he would rather play on the wing.
It was a special night for Alessandro Del Piero who equaled Gaetano Scirea's record of 552 appearances for Juventus, the performance of Del Piero against Inter was just sensational he treated Materazzi like he was playing his first Serie A game. Although Ale didn't score he did set up Trezeguet and had three opportunities to get on the score sheet himself.
The strike partnership of Del Piero and Trezeguet has been Juve's best this season having scored 28 goals between them, they are also Serie A leading combo of goals from players from the same team.
Overall:
1st Half:
Both teams started the match well with each side having early half chances at goal. The first real opportunity fell to Del Piero, Nedved crossed the ball from the left but Julio Cesar tiped Del Piero's close range effot over the bar, Del Piero who started the move should with great build up should of put Juve one up.
Inter then had their two best chances to score in the half with a Jimenez free kick finding a open Burdisso who miss kicked his shot, the ball turning into a cross which found Stankovic who was the first one to react and seeing his header come off the cross bar.
Juventus then had Buffon to thank for a excellent save from a Christian Chivu free kick which dipped over the wall and forced Buffon to dive down to his left and dig the ball out from the bottom left hand corner.
Both sides then had some half chances with a Ibrahimovic free kick and a Sissoko snap shot both saved well by the respected keppers, it was a fascinating half with both sides having there chances but neither could get the break through.
2nd Half:
Juventus started the second half extremely well with Grygera braking down the right hand side and putting a cross in the box with Trezeguet missing it fell to Nedved who's half volley shot was pushed around the post by Julio Cesar. From the resulting corner Legrottaglie headed the ball just over the bar.
Three minutes into the second half the break through came with Molinaro playing a ball into the box which was missed by everyone but fell to Camoranesi who was lurking around the back post, he collected the ball and calmly applied the finish between the keepers legs. Replays have shown that Camoranesi was offside but no action was taken by the linesmen and the goal stood.
Inter then had three opportunities, the first came from a Luis Jimenez corner which turned into a shot which Buffon tipped over the bar, the second from a Inter counter attack with substitute David Suazo running half of the pitch but Molinaro did well to push him wide and lose the ball in the box. Ibrahimovic then set up Suazo with a back heal but the sub drilled his shot over the bar.
Juventus then doubled their lead with great work from Camoranesi and Del Piero with Trezeguet applying the finish. Camoranesi played a ball to Del Piero who then chipped the ball over the Inter defence which Burdisso got a head to but it fell stright to Trezeguet who blasted the ball home leaving Julio Cesar who no chance.
Del Piero then had the chance to add a third goal, after leaving Materazzi for dead he got himself into a great postion but his shot was well saved by Julio Cesar who was inter's best player on the night, Trezeguet tried to get the rebound but it was just out of reach.
David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero linked up for a Juventus counter attack which would of ended the game a contest but again Julio Cesar saved Del Piero's shot. Juventus were piling on the pressure and looking for a third goal, with Inter throwing everything forward spaces were opening up but the Bianconero could find that final pass.
Inter then pulled a goal back through Maniche who was a second half sub, after some good work from Maicon to get into the box Maniche just had to tap the ball in. The final ten minutes for Juventus had some nervous moments with Inter having some half chances but nothing to worry about until the 91st mintute when Maniche hit the bottom of the upright.
This was a excellent team performance by Juventus which they always seem to pull out when they are playing the big teams, each player did there job and Ranieri got his tactics right and read the game well. Next Parma is coming to town lets hope we can see a similar performance. FORZA JUVE
The strike partnership of Del Piero and Trezeguet has been Juve's best this season having scored 28 goals between them, they are also Serie A leading combo of goals from players from the same team.
Overall:
1st Half:
Both teams started the match well with each side having early half chances at goal. The first real opportunity fell to Del Piero, Nedved crossed the ball from the left but Julio Cesar tiped Del Piero's close range effot over the bar, Del Piero who started the move should with great build up should of put Juve one up.
Inter then had their two best chances to score in the half with a Jimenez free kick finding a open Burdisso who miss kicked his shot, the ball turning into a cross which found Stankovic who was the first one to react and seeing his header come off the cross bar.
Juventus then had Buffon to thank for a excellent save from a Christian Chivu free kick which dipped over the wall and forced Buffon to dive down to his left and dig the ball out from the bottom left hand corner.
Both sides then had some half chances with a Ibrahimovic free kick and a Sissoko snap shot both saved well by the respected keppers, it was a fascinating half with both sides having there chances but neither could get the break through.
2nd Half:
Juventus started the second half extremely well with Grygera braking down the right hand side and putting a cross in the box with Trezeguet missing it fell to Nedved who's half volley shot was pushed around the post by Julio Cesar. From the resulting corner Legrottaglie headed the ball just over the bar.
Three minutes into the second half the break through came with Molinaro playing a ball into the box which was missed by everyone but fell to Camoranesi who was lurking around the back post, he collected the ball and calmly applied the finish between the keepers legs. Replays have shown that Camoranesi was offside but no action was taken by the linesmen and the goal stood.
Inter then had three opportunities, the first came from a Luis Jimenez corner which turned into a shot which Buffon tipped over the bar, the second from a Inter counter attack with substitute David Suazo running half of the pitch but Molinaro did well to push him wide and lose the ball in the box. Ibrahimovic then set up Suazo with a back heal but the sub drilled his shot over the bar.
Juventus then doubled their lead with great work from Camoranesi and Del Piero with Trezeguet applying the finish. Camoranesi played a ball to Del Piero who then chipped the ball over the Inter defence which Burdisso got a head to but it fell stright to Trezeguet who blasted the ball home leaving Julio Cesar who no chance.
Del Piero then had the chance to add a third goal, after leaving Materazzi for dead he got himself into a great postion but his shot was well saved by Julio Cesar who was inter's best player on the night, Trezeguet tried to get the rebound but it was just out of reach.
David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero linked up for a Juventus counter attack which would of ended the game a contest but again Julio Cesar saved Del Piero's shot. Juventus were piling on the pressure and looking for a third goal, with Inter throwing everything forward spaces were opening up but the Bianconero could find that final pass.
Inter then pulled a goal back through Maniche who was a second half sub, after some good work from Maicon to get into the box Maniche just had to tap the ball in. The final ten minutes for Juventus had some nervous moments with Inter having some half chances but nothing to worry about until the 91st mintute when Maniche hit the bottom of the upright.
This was a excellent team performance by Juventus which they always seem to pull out when they are playing the big teams, each player did there job and Ranieri got his tactics right and read the game well. Next Parma is coming to town lets hope we can see a similar performance. FORZA JUVE
Player Ratings:
Buffon: 7.5 - Did what he always dose, keeps Juve in the game with brilliant saves.
Grygera: 7 - One of his better games for Juve, gets better with each game.
Legrottaglie: 6.5 - Solid performance from the center back, kept the Inter strikes under controll.
Chiellini: 7.5 - Once again kept Ibrahimovic quite and the rest of the Inter strikes.
Molinaro: 6.5 - Much better performance from the previous game, did well attacking and defending.
Salihamidzic: 5.5 - Was barely noticeable on the pitch didn't contribute much going forward, played slightly better second half.
Camoranesi: 7.5 - Scored a goal and kept running at the Inter defence was the creative force in the team.
Sissoko: 7 - Played well in the first half by breaking up Inter's play.
Nedved: 7 - Ran up and down the pitch all game giving 100%, played really well defensively.
Del Piero: 7.5 - All he needed tonight was a goal and it would of been a perfect game for the captain, destroyed Materazzi all game.
Trezeguet: 7 - Scored a goal and helped out in defence what more could you want from your leading scorer.
Substitutes:
Nocerino: NA
Iaquinta: NA
Ranieri: 7 - He set the team up perfect against Inter he had them play right defensively which had a influence on the rest of the squad.
Buffon: 7.5 - Did what he always dose, keeps Juve in the game with brilliant saves.
Grygera: 7 - One of his better games for Juve, gets better with each game.
Legrottaglie: 6.5 - Solid performance from the center back, kept the Inter strikes under controll.
Chiellini: 7.5 - Once again kept Ibrahimovic quite and the rest of the Inter strikes.
Molinaro: 6.5 - Much better performance from the previous game, did well attacking and defending.
Salihamidzic: 5.5 - Was barely noticeable on the pitch didn't contribute much going forward, played slightly better second half.
Camoranesi: 7.5 - Scored a goal and kept running at the Inter defence was the creative force in the team.
Sissoko: 7 - Played well in the first half by breaking up Inter's play.
Nedved: 7 - Ran up and down the pitch all game giving 100%, played really well defensively.
Del Piero: 7.5 - All he needed tonight was a goal and it would of been a perfect game for the captain, destroyed Materazzi all game.
Trezeguet: 7 - Scored a goal and helped out in defence what more could you want from your leading scorer.
Substitutes:
Nocerino: NA
Iaquinta: NA
Ranieri: 7 - He set the team up perfect against Inter he had them play right defensively which had a influence on the rest of the squad.
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