Alessandro Del Piero had given the home side a first half lead with a sensational free-kick, but Nicola Amoruso equalized just before the break.

The home side recalled David Trezeguet to partner Alessandro Del Piero up front at the expense of Amauri, whilst Giorgio Chiellini was missing at the back, with Nicola Legrottaglie stepping up. Atalanta were missing West Ham target Tiberio Guarente and club captain Cristiano Doni, with Diego De Ascentis and Nicola Amoruso deputizing.

The game kicked-off against the backdrop of fan protests outside the Olimpico, with the Curva Sud virtually empty. There were also reports that Jonathan Zebina was struck by a fan when the Juve team coach had arrived at the ground.

After an early scare when Thomas Manfredini headed just past the post, Juventus thought they’d taken the lead in the ninth minute. Diego whipped in a free-kick to the far post, and Trezeguet’s downward header beat Andrea Consigli, but the Frenchman had run into an offside position by the time the set piece was struck.

Trezeguet was again beyond the last man moments later when Del Piero played a neat ball through the backline looking for his strike partner. He then had a chance after a good pass off the floor by Del Piero, but his snatched left foot effort didn’t trouble Consigli in the Atalanta goal.

Though Atalanta were playing their part in the game, they were unable to force anything to extend the Juve backline, with the match being played at a leisurely pace. The away side’s first opportunity came on 24 minutes, when Simone Tiribocchi pounced on Adriano Ferreira Pinto’s header down to fire a left foot shot which brought a neat reaction stop from Alex Manninger.

Juventus took the lead in the 30th minute when Alessandro Del Piero struck a majestic free-kick into the top corner of the net from 30 yards beyond the despairing dive of Consigli after De Ascentis had been booked for a foul on Trezeguet.

The magnificent goal was out of keeping with the game to that point, finally bringing something for the sparse Olimpico crowd to cheer.

There was a more somber mood once again within minutes when Diego was forced to limp off with a knock to his right leg. The upside to the injury was a return for crowd favorite Sebastian Giovinco.

Atalanta could have equalized when Jaime Valdes’ shot was spilled by Manninger but the Austrian keeper managed to collect at the second attempt as Amoruso followed in. The Nerazzurri broke again just before half-time. Simone Padoin fed Federico Peluso, whose low cross just beat the desperately stretching Amoruso and Juventus were able to breathe a sigh of relief.

David Trezeguet could have extended the Bianconeri’s advantage, but scuffed a right foot effort from 10 yards. And Juve were made to pay when the Orobici went straight up the other end and equalized.

De Ascentis chipped a neat ball over the top of a static home defense and the onrushing Nicola Amoruso found it all too easy to fire a right foot effort beyond Manninger to level the scores going into the interval.

The visitors could so easily have taken the lead in the opening minutes of the second period when Padoin hit a speculative effort from range which flew just over the angle of post and bar with Manninger beaten.

Alberto Zaccheroni was subjected to whistles when he made his first tactical change, bringing off Antonio Candreva and replacing him with the much-maligned Felipe Melo.

The move did little to change the complexion or the tempo of the game, as Juve failed to take any real control, despite the endeavor shown by substitute Giovinco in particular.

Trezeguet once again failed to take a good opportunity when he received a pass inside the 18-yard box, but was dispossessed at the last second by Gyorgy Garics.

It was the Frenchman’s last piece of action, as he was replaced by Amauri, who could have scored immediately after his introduction, but he miss-hit his right foot effort from Giovinco’s corner.

The Atomic Ant could himself have scored soon after when he cut in from the left before unleashing a stinging right foot shot which went just wide of Consigli’s far post, with the goalkeeper having just got his fingertips to the effort.

Felipe Melo then wasted a good chance when he failed to shoot on sight from a right-wing cross. When his eventual shot was blocked, Giovinco caused all sorts of trouble on the left, winning a corner out of nothing as his influence on the game grew further.

The sustained period of pressure suggested Juventus would eventually break through and in the 82nd minute they did thanks to Felipe Melo. Del Piero swung over a cross from the right, and the Brazilian rose high at the far post to head across Consigli and into the back of the net.

Upon scoring, the midfielder gestured for forgiveness from the Juve fans with whom he has shared a troubled relationship of late.

From there Atalanta started to gamble as they pushed forward in search of another equalizer, but if anything Juventus looked more likely to add a third, eventually settling for a much-needed 2-1 victory.

Juventus welcomed Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico hoping to get back within five points of runaway leaders Inter.

The home side started strongly and after just a minute Diego made a good run on the right and fired a cross-shot that hit the outside of the net.

The Brazilian playmaker threatened again in the 5th minute, when he fired a shot from distance that was parried by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, and as the ball came back down Cristian Zapata did well to clear the ball away from Amauri.

Seven minutes later Mauro Camoranesi sent in a dangerous cross toward the far post which found Sebastian Giovinco, whose left-footed shot was well-saved by Handanovic.

After that there was a long quiet period in the match, as both sides struggled to create chances. At the half hour mark, there was a chance for Camoranesi as he was in a good position to shoot following a corner kick, but his shot was blocked.

Eight minutes later the Italian international found Amauri in the area after a good team move, but the striker couldn’t beat Handanovic with his volleyed shot.

A minute before half time, Udinese saw a goal chalked off for offside as Gaetano D’Agostino’s shot from the edge of the area was turned in by Mauricio Isla, who was judged to be beyond the last Juventus defender when D’Agostino struck his shot.

During the break neither coach opted to make a change.

Five minutes in, Juve finally broke the deadlock, as Christian Poulsen sent the ball forward for Jose Caceres, who played it back into the area to Fabio Grosso, and the Italian international full back had no problems beating Handanovic.

The home side continued to attack after that, and in the 64th minute after a nice one-two on the left between substitute Alessandro Del Piero and Diego, the Brazilian sent in a cross that was parried by Handanovic, and on the rebound Mohamed Sissoko fired a shot that went just over the bar.

A minute later Udinese had their first real chance, with a shot by Antonio Floro Flores from the edge of the area that was parried away by Buffon with his foot.

In the 77th minute, Handanovic had to come up with a great save to prevent an own goal by Dusan Basta, as a Del Piero corner kick accidentally landed on the defender’s head and nearly put Juve 2-0 up.

Five minutes later, the Juventus captain claimed a penalty as he controlled a pass by Fabio Cannavaro and appeared to be brought down by Basta, but the referee waved play on.

In injury time there were a couple more dangerous incidents. In the 93rd minute Zapata forced Buffon into a good save with a low left-footed shot, and a minute later Bernardo Corradi seemed to be brought down by Giorgio Chiellini, but the referee didn’t give a penalty.

In the end the home side held on to their slim lead and earned a priceless victory that allows them to move within five points of leaders Inter. Currently they are second with 27 points, while Udinese are 14th with 15 points.

On the 1st minute, however, Giovinco puts pressure on Garics in the area but the defender manages to defend the ball in some manner. One minute later, the ball is put into the Juve area, the defence heads away a first time. Tiribocchi’s shot from the re-bound goes well wide.

The 3rd minute sees a good cross by Caceres into the area with Trezeguet being anticipated. One minute later, Grosso tries a cross into the area but the ball goes wide and out. On the 5th minute there is a ball into the area by Ceravolo but Cannavaro defends well.

It is the 6th minute when a good Caceres cross into the area is cleared by the defence. Two minutes later, there is nice snappy passing by Juventus but the final cross by Giovinco goes wide. On the 9th minute a Camoranesi shot from outside the area forces the keeper to save into corner. From the flag the ball is cleared from the area by the defence but it is put in again and the action is stopped for a foul in attack by Chiellini.

On the 12th minute there is a free-kick for Atalanta: Doni’s shot is cleared into corner by Chiellini: the ball is put into the area but Poulsen heads away. Three minutes later, a Tiribocchi incursion sees the ball go slightly wide. Free-kick for Juve after a foul on Giovinco who is about to enter the area following great footwork on the 16th minute: Diego puts the ball high over the bar.

The 18th minute sees a free-kick from the right for Atalanta: ball put directly beyond the line by Ceravolo. One minute later there is a corner for Juve: ball into the area by Diego is cleared a first time by the defence and a Giovinco shot from re-bound goes high over the bar.

It is the 23rd minute when Ceravolo tries a ball towards goal but Buffon saves easily. Three minutes later, Buffon performs a good sure-footed save on Ceravolo who entered the area.

On the 28th minute, Caceres puts a great ball into the area for Trezeguet who heads home but sees the goal disallowed for offside. Two minutes later, Poulsen clears a ball into corner. The defence liberates the area. On the 33rd minute there is a cross into the Juve area by Garics and Doni’s shot goes wide.

The turning point comes on the 36th minute: beautifully constructed ball into the area by Grosso with Camoranesi who heads home for the opener: 1-0.

Atalanta have hardly time to kcik-off when one minute after the first goal there is a second ball towards Camoranesi by Grosso and second goal by the Italo-Argentine with a shot from the centre of the area: 2-0.

Juve insist on the 39th minute but this time the defence manages to free the area just in time. Four minutes later there is a free-kick for Juve: Diego puts the ball in but it is cleared by the defence. On the 44th minute there is a corner for Juve after a Chiellini shot is deviated and one minute later Buffon saves well on a powerful Ceravolo shot.

In the only minute of stoppage time for the first half Diego is stopped for off-side as he runs towards the area and seconds later. The teams exit the field with Juve leading 0-2.

The second half is indeed a very exciting one with Juve finally having the upper hand after a good reaction by Conte’s men. On the 2nd minute, Poulsen frees the Juve area following an Atalanta initiative and one minute later there is a beautiful touch by Diego into the area and Chiellini’s half-volley is not impacted well.

On the 5th minute, Valdes enters the area following a through ball catches Juve defence cold and puts the ball beyond Buffon and into the net for 2-1. One minute later there is a free-kick for Juve: Diego puts the ball into the area, Cannavaro heads home but the goal is disallowed for off-side.

It is the 8th minute when Buffon saves well after a good Valdes cross into the area. One minute later Juve have a third goal disallowed as Poulsen heads home. Seconds later, however, Melo fires one from outside the area and this time it is 3-1.

On the 11th minute there is a free-kick for Atalanta: good ball into the Juve area but nobody manages to hit it and it goes wide. Two minutes later, Buffon manages to grab the ball after Tiribocchi does not hit the ball well in the area.

It is the quarter of an hour of the second half when a good low ball into the area by Grosso is blocked by a defender. Three minutes later, a Guarente shot from outside the area goes wide. On the 20th minute, a Giovinco cross is too wide to worry the Atalanta defence.

The 21st minute sees a Diego shot from outside the area goes high over the bar and seconds later the Brazilian is stopped as he is about to enter the area while a Poulsen shot is blocked.

The ghosts of the match against Napoli appear on the 25th minute as there is a ball into the Juve area towards Ceravolo who turns well and puts the ball into the net for the 2-3. Seconds after, a dangerous shot by Valdes goes curling just wide of the corner.
Two minutes later, De Ceglie comes on for Giovinco.

On the half hour mark, a Grosso cross is too high. One minute later, Camoranesi bands a ball through into the area for Trezeguet but the flag is up. On the 35th minute Trezeguet does not manage to shoot as a ball is put towards him in the area. Seconds later, there is a free-kick for Juve: Diego puts it in towards Trezeguet but a defender manages to clear.

It is the 36th minute when Buffon cradles the ball anticipating Tiribocchi. Three minutes later, there is a beautiful touch by Diego to beat Consigli for the 4th time after receiving from Camoranesi: 2-4.

Two minutes pass and on the 41st minute, Chiellini puts a low ball into the area and Trezeguet fires home for the 5-2 and the goal which puts him alongside Sivori for the number of goals scored. Trezegol lives up to his nick-name.

Immobile makes his debut as he comes on for Diego on the 43rd minute and he immediately shows his great talent with a couple of beautiful touches. On the 44th minute, Camoranesi puts it in for Immobile whose shot is deviated into corner. From the flag Immobile’s header goes wide. Great play by the Primavera striker.

The referee whistles three times for the end of the match right on the 90th. Juve beat Atalanta in Bergamo by 2-5 in a show of determination and great attacking play.

Serie A 2009/10 12th Match Day
Bergamo, Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia
Saturday 7th November, 2009

ATALANTA – JUVENTUS: 2-5

Scorers: Camoranesi (36th), Camoranesi (37th), Valdes (50th), Felipe Melo (55th), Ceravolo (71st), Diego (85th), Trezeguet (87th).

ATALANTA: Consigli; Garics, Talamonti, Peluso, Bellini; Ceravolo, Paodin, Guarente, Valdes; Doni, Tiribocchi. Reserves: Coppola, Pellegrino, Bianco, Radovanovic, Madonna, Caserta, Tiboni. Coach: Conte.

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Caceres, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Poulsen, Felipe Melo; Camoranesi, Diego, Giovinco (Giovinco 72nd); Trezeguet. Reserves: Manninger, Legrottaglie, Grygera, Molinaro, De Ceglie, Tiago, Immobile. Coach: Ferrara.

REFEREE: Morganti from Ascoli Piceno.

Yellow Cards: Padoin (16th), Grosso (18th), Doni (43rd), Guarente (51st), Poulsen (57th), Cannavaro (76th), Bellini (79th), Trezeguet (87th)

Download Giovinco’s goal here.

“There is anger because we lost in a silly way. I cannot explain how we managed to suffer 3 goals in 20 minutes. We hope not to repeat such a situation again. We knew Napoli had made some good comebacks in their last games, but still we did not pay enough attention. Obviously, one of our main problems was losing concentration during the game – but we must gather ourselves together as soon as possible since we have an important game on Tuesday in the Champions League. At the moment, though, we are still too nervous to talk about today’s game.”

Despite the defeat, Giovinco played a good game: “With regards my performance, I saw a lot of the ball since we tried to play in the part of the pitch were we could be more dangerous and this happened on my side of the pitch on a number of occasions.”

Juventus threw away a two-goal lead as Napoli won an enthralling contest in Turin. David Trezeguet and Sebastian Giovinco had given the hosts control of the match, but Marek Hamsik scored either side of Jesus Datolo’s strike to give the Partenopei the points. Amauri was sent off late on for the hosts.

Ciro Ferrara retained the 4-2-3-1 formation that worked wonders last time out, although Christian Poulsen replaced Mohamed Sissoko as one of the holding midfielders. Trezeguet also took Amauri’s place as the lone striker. German Denis started ahead of Fabio Quagliarella for the visitors, who also started Paolo Cannavaro, brother of Juventus’ Fabio, in defence.

The hosts started the way they left off against Sampdoria, and Giovinco could have opened the scoring in the first minute but he shot just wide after being played through on goal by Mauro Camoranesi.

While Juventus had the better of the early play, Denis had a golden opportunity to put Napoli in front in the seventh minute. After Ezequiel Lavezzi fired a low ball across the face of the goal, Christian Maggio centred the ball back into the six-yard box but Denis was caught between using his head and his foot, and in the end used neither as the ball flashed past him.

Denis had another opportunity in the 18th minute as he collected another pass from the energetic Lavezzi, but as he was turning he slipped in the penalty area to gift possession back to the hosts. Gianluigi Buffon was called into action minutes later as he did incredibly well to touch over a long-range shot from Salvatore Aronica. From the resulting corner, Matteo Contini’s header floated just wide of the post as Lavezzi tried to connect.

Napoli were in the ascendancy, and had clearly planned a routine from corners. In the 23rd minute, Marek Hamsik’s delivery found Denis, but the Argentine failed to get a good connection on his header.

Juventus were also creating opportunities as Felipe Melo shot just wide following good work by Diego. The game had to be stopped in the 27th minute as Camoranesi went down clutching his head, with blood pouring from a wound. Replays showed that Contini had led with his elbow as the two clashed, but neither the referee nor his assistants had picked up on the challenge.

The winger had to be substituted, with Tiago coming on in his place. It didn’t stop the Bianconeri attacks, and they caught out the Partenopei defence in the 35th minute. As Zdenek Grygera whipped in a cross from the right hand side, David Trezeguet ran in front of his marker to power a header past Morgan De Sanctis.

Contini was belatedly booked as he needlessly went in from behind on Diego in first half injury time, but Fabio Grosso’s shot from the free kick was ballooned over the bar.

Giovinco was nearly played through on goal in the opening minutes of the second half, but Hugo Campagnaro made a superb sliding tackle to avert the danger.

Vesuviani coach Walter Mazzarri was scratching his head on the touchline as his side continued to struggle to break through the Juventus defence, and some shambolic defending led to the hosts’ second goal.

In the 54th minute, Trezeguet’s cross from the left wing looked harmless enough, but Contini inexplicably headed the ball straight to Sebastian Giovinco, who tucked the ball home with ease.

Mazzarri was called into making a change in order to reverse the tide, and brought on Jesus Datolo for Campagnaro. It paid instant dividends, as Datolo sprinted down the left wing and crossed low into the box for Marek Hamsik to finish from close range.

Juventus rallied, and had the ball in the net moments later but Felipe Melo was correctly flagged offside. Trezeguet was then played through on goal, but the Frenchman couldn’t get a shot away before De Sanctis pounced on the ball.

Despite the defensive frailties, Napoli were playing some fluid and incisive football in attack. Amazingly, they found an equaliser in the 64th minute, as Jesus Datolo poked the ball home from close range after Buffon had saved Denis’ initial header.

Napoli were going for the three points, and Mazzarri looked to achieve that by bringing on Fabio Quagliarella for the disappointing Denis with 20 minutes remaining. The hosts, on the other hand, suddenly looked nervous and needed someone to grab hold of the game.

Ferrara changed his side’s system once again as he brought on Amauri for Poulsen in the 77th minute, but it couldn’t stop Napoli from scoring a third a few minutes later. It came from a Juventus corner, with Lavezzi running the length of the pitch to play in Datolo. The substitute sent a cross into the box that could only pick out Tiago, but a weak clearance found an onrushing Hamsik, who struck the ball high into the net to send the visiting fans into raptures.

The home crowd started to voice their discontent as the players’ anxiety became increasingly apparent. The hosts were given five minutes of injury time to find an equaliser, but shot themselves in the foot as Amauri was sent off in the 93rd minute. As De Sanctis looked to collect the ball on the floor, Amauri’s swinging boot caught the ‘keeper in the face, earning him a straight red card. It was the final meaningful act of an action-packed match, but Ferrara will be wondering how his side didn’t collect at least a point.

Juventus midfielder Sebastian Giovinco has spoken about the “spectacular” fashion in which the Bianconeri were able to defeat Sampdoria last night.

The 22-year-old stated that Juventus played a near-perfect match, other than conceding a goal.

“It was important to win and we did so in a spectacular manner,” the Italian international told the club’s official website, Juventus.it.

“Today it was a near perfect match. Sure we conceded a goal, but the performance was a good one and the result speaks clearly for itself.

“Today we interpreted the match excellently, we enjoyed ourselves and this is something I did not experience last year. I am very happy,” he summed up.

The Bianconeri’s next opponents will be Napoli on Saturday evening.