CL: Alex inspires four-star Juve Wednesday 13 August, 2008
Juventus crushed Artmedia 4-0 in the Champions League preliminary round with Mauro Camoranesi, Giorgio Chiellini, Nicola Legrottaglie and an Alex Del Piero screamer.
The Bianconeri had not played in this competition for two years, but were back after the Calciopoli scandal and a period in Serie B. The first leg was in Turin, but Juve played with their gold away strip.
Claudio Ranieri put his faith firmly in the old guard, as Christian Poulsen was the only new boy in the starting XI. Pavel Nedved was suspended, while Cristiano Zanetti and Marco Marchionni are injured, Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio on Olympic duty. Fuelling reports he is to be sold over the next fortnight, Tiago Mendes was not even on the bench. It was an historic moment for Gianluigi Buffon, playing his 500th official match in club competition.
It took seven minutes for Juventus to break the deadlock after stringing together a series of corner kicks. Mauro Camoranesi started the swift passing move that sent Zdenek Grygera clear, but when the defender lost his footing, Camoranesi was ready for the powerful strike from 10 yards at the near post.
Ranieri was forced into a change, as Urbanek accidentally clattered into Grygera - who was his teammate and friend at Under-21 level - and the Juventus man was stretchered off. In a curious tactical decision, Vincenzo Iaquinta came on, moving Salihamidzic to defence.
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David Trezeguet almost made it 2-0 at full stretch to tip a deflected cross just past the post in what would've been a classic poacher's goal. Poulsen threaded through for Cristian Molinaro to test the goalkeeper at the near post.
Del Piero doubled Juve's advantage with an absolute screamer! The captain exchanged passes with Trezeguet outside the box and unleashed a first-time right-foot missile into the top corner. The Artmedia 'keeper had no chance of getting to the shot, which had a vicious bend as well as power.
Alex was on spectacular form and hooked a loose ball that was going out of play and threaded his pass between two defenders. Piroska had his shot charged down, but Del Piero's inspired through ball that allowed Iaquinta to spring the offside trap was wasted by a poor first touch.
It was 3-0 before half-time, as a free kick was floated into the box by Camoranesi for the powerful Giorgio Chiellini header from seven yards, although Kamenar badly mistimed his run. Buffon made his first save of the night on 43 minutes from Halenar's timid effort.
After the restart Poulsen's strike from a deflected corner stung Kamenar's palms, while Del Piero attempted another curling gem - this time with his left foot - that skimmed the bar. Trezeguet hit the back of the net, but it was ruled out because the ball had already crossed the byline before Camoranesi managed to turn it back.
Artmedia had a great chance on 56 minutes as substitute Fodrek zipped down the left flank and his cross was smothered at the near post by Buffon just inches before Obzera could pounce, while later on Pospech threatened from six yards.
Iaquinta cracked a low right-foot drive against the post from the edge of the penalty area. Amauri replaced Del Piero, who received a standing ovation from the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. Trezeguet was a little hesitant when clear on goal and Del Piero headed Amauri's cross off target.
There were some scares for Juve in the final 10 minutes, as tiredness set in and Artmedia threatened with Oravec. Trezeguet also went close, chesting down a ball over the top to thump just past the far post.
The tie was effectively over in the final minute, as a corner kick found Nicola Legrottaglie unmarked for a free header at the back post.
It could have been five in stoppages, but Kamenar parried Iaquinta's snapshot and Amauri ballooned the follow-up over the bar.
Juventus 4-0 Artmedia
Scorers: Camoranesi 7 (J), Del Piero 26 (J), Chiellini 39 (J), Legrottaglie 90 (J)
Juventus: Buffon; Grygera (Iaquinta 16), Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Poulsen, Salihamidzic; Del Piero (Amauri 73), Trezeguet
Artmedia Bratislava: Kamenar; Fodrek, Ciskovsky, Salata, Urbanek; Piroska (Obzera 46), Kozak, Velicky, Pedro; Pospech (Oravec 82), Halenar (Glever 69)
Ref: Vassaras (Gre)
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug13w.html
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