Post by maxell on Sept 16, 2006 12:51:17 GMT -5
The Olympic Stadium was unveiled on Saturday afternoon as Juventus and Vicenza took to the field for the Bianconeri’s first home game of the season. Didier Deschamps welcomed back Trezeguet and Zanetti from injury for this vital championship clash, pairing the French goal machine with captain Del Piero in the Juventus attack. Before kick-off Trezegol was presented with a special award in recognition of his magnificent goal scoring feats (125) with the Bianconeri. Juventus chairman Giovanni Cobolli Gigli and honorary chairmen Franzo Grande Stevens and Giampiero Boniperti presented the Frenchman with his award.
Juventus made a great start, Zanetti picking out Trezuguet in the area. The striker’s header skimmed just over the bar, but it wouldn’t have counted as he was off-side. The home side controlled possession from the start and it was clear they wanted to grab an early goal. In the 13th minute the Bianconeri pieced together a neat attack, Marchionni sending a powerful left-footed drive just wide of the goal after Del Piero had rolled him a deft lay-off under pressure. Five minutes later the captain was involved again, trying an audacious flick with his back to goal after Marchionni had sent in a lethal curling cross. Nedved tried his luck in the 23rd minute, unleashing a thunderbolt towards goal. His effort was rocketing towards the bottom right corner but Guardalben pulled off a great save. The Vicenza number one was called into action again three minutes later, denying Trezeguet with an athletic diving save after the Frenchman had connected with a dangerous Del Piero cross. Minutes later Guardalben pulled off yet another fine save, this time from Nedved who had found himself free in the box and sent a thumping drive towards goal. The Bianconeri continued to pile on the pressure, and right at the end of the first half, they produced a lightning attack, Marchionni crossing in from the right on the volley and finding the head of the ubiquitous Trezeguet. The Frenchman was denied once again by Guardalben but he got his revenge two minutes later, netting the opener in injury time after Chiellini had swung a lovely cross in from the left - Trezeguet made no mistake from six yards out, smashing in the opener with his right boot (1-0). The goal was the last action of the half and the Bianconeri entered the tunnel with a deserved lead.
Juve picked up where they left off at the end of the first period, Del Piero winning a free-kick on the edge of the box after an intense wave of Bianconeri pressure. The captain stepped up to take the set-piece and doubled his side’s lead with a trademark curler into the top left hand corner (2-0). But six minutes later, Vicenza got themselves back into the match, Raimondi scoring from close range after a great cross from Zanini (2-1), and just a minute later, they almost equalised, Cavalli squandering a golden chance after a one on one with Buffon. Juventus consolidated and set about regaining their supremacy, favouring a more patient, measured build-up than the frenetic assault of the first half. Deschamps introduced fresh blood in the 73rd minute, replacing Chiellini with Balzaretti, and a few minutes later, Marchionni made way for Camoranesi, as the Bianconeri looked to restore their two goal cushion. In the 75th minute Sgrigna tried a fierce shot from the edge of the area, Buffon parried and the ball found its way out to Raimondi on the left edge of the box. The winger blasted the ball across the goal mouth but there was no one there to supply the finish. In the 83rd minute Nedved sent a fast-moving diagonal pass out to Trezeguet on the left. The Frenchman raced onto the ball and tried a first time effort with his left boot but Guardalben was in position to make a good save.
Camoranesi and Nedved were causing all sorts of problems with some neat interplay, and in the 86th minute, Deschamps brought Del Piero off for Palladino. Vicenza finished with a flourish, Kovac twice making vital interventions in his own penalty area, but it was the captain’s wonderful free-kick that was to decide the match. After a nervy four minutes of injury time, Signor Marelli blew his whistle and brought an end to the Bianconeri’s first home game of the season.
JUVENTUS – VICENZA: 2-1
GOALS: Trezeguet 45+1’, Del Piero 53’, Raimondi 59’
BOOKED: Rigoni 8’, Schwoch 74’, Zanetti 90+1, Nedved 90+2’
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli, Kovac, Boumsong, Chiellini (Balzaretti 73’); Marchionni (Camoranesi 76’), Zanetti, Paro, Nedved; Del Piero (capt.) (Palladino 86’), Trezeguet
Subs not used: Mirante, Giannichedda, Bojinov, Zalayeta
Coach: Deschamps
VICENZA: Guardalben; Martinelli, Fissore (capt.), Scardina, Padoin (Viskovic 86’); Helguera, Rigoni; Raimondi, Zanini (Vailatti 73’), Sgrigna; Cavalli (Schwoch 62’)
Subs not used: Zancopè, Pesoli, Paonessa, Crovari
Coach: Camolese
REFEREE: Marelli
ASSISTANTS: Pascariello, Di Prisco
4TH OFFICIAL: Zanichelli
