On the 8th minute, there is a ball into the Juve area. Caceres manages to anticpate the French striker. Four minutes later, there is a corner for Juve: ball dangerously into the area but the defence manages to clear in some way or another.

The 17th minute sees a ball into the Juve area but Melo clears into out. One minute later, there is a good Juve initiative by Diego and Sissoko but the Mali player slips as he is about to score.

On the 22nd minute, there is a free-kick for Juve: ball into the area, Chiellini with a magnificent elevation over Diarra heads the ball off the ground but it goes slightly high. Seconds later there is a great recovery by Chiellini.

It is the 24th minute when there is another corner for Bordeaux: ball cleared by the Juve defence. The French side is awarded another corner one minute laterafter a dangerous deviation in the area: ball into the Juve area but Buffon waves it away before a good clearance by Caceres.

On the 29th minute, a good Sissoko long ball finds Del Piero who passes to Diego who with a good shot sees the keeper saving. Good play by Juve. Two minutes later there is a corner for Bordeaux: the Juve defence clears.

The 35th minute sees a good run by Caceres who crosses to Del Piero but the ball is a bit too long. Three minutes later, Buffon performs a miracle on Chamakh before the ball is cleared by the defence. From the rebound it is a super Chiellini who clears into corner.

Juve continue to defend from the continuous Bordeaux attacks and on the 44th minute there is a free-kick for Bordeaux from outside the area following a foul by Melo: ball goes wide. The first half ends in a deadlock.

The second half sees Juve trying to react but Bordeaux are a hard nut to crack. On the 1st minute Amauri enters the area but he is stopped for off-side. One minute later, there was a great clearance by Chiellini and seconds later, an Amauri cross from the right is intercepted by the defence.

On the 5th minute, there is a free-kick for Bordeaux following dangerous play by Legrottaglie: the Juve comes out well clearing the danger. Three minutes later another free-kick for Bordeaux marks the turning point of the match: ball into the area and Fernando heads home for the opener: 1-0.

The 11th minute sees a great shot by Melo from outside the area going inches high over the bar. Two minutes later a great Diego shot is saved by Carasso. It is the 16th minute when there is yet another free-kick for Bordeaux: ball cleared by Caceres after a series of faulty tackles. One minute later, a Wendel shot goes high.

On the 19th minute, Del Piero puts a perfect ball into the area but Diego and Amauri did not manage to deviate into the net. Two minutes later, there is a free-kick for Juve: Diego’s ball is blocked by the defence.

The 22nd minute sees Immobile coming on for Del Piero. Seconds later, a Diego shot is blocked by the defence. It is the 26th minute when there is a corner for Bordeaux: ball cleared by the defence but from the rebound a Plasil shot goes wide.

One minute later, there is a ball into the Juve area but a Molinas shot goes wide. On the 31st minute Giovinco comes on for Amauri. The atomic ant immediately has an impact on the match and Juve play their best football of the match.

On the 32nd minute there is a corner for Juve: ball deviated once again into corner. From the second flag-kick the ball goes directly into the hands of the keeper. Six minutes later, there is a free-kick for Juve following a foul on Giovinco: Diego’s shot goes well high over the bar.

The 40th minute sees another free-kick for the French side: Buffon saves punching the ball into corner. From the flag the ball is put into the area but Sissoko frees from danger. On the 43rd minute Marchisio comes on for Sissoko. In the last of the 90 minutes Caceres saves well on a Bordeaux initiative. It is the 94th minute when Chamakh heads home from a corner for the 2-0.

The match ends with Juve suffereing their first defeat of the season in the Champions League. The bianconeri remain second in the table with 8 points but only one point ahead of Bayern Munich against whom they will be playing the last match of the groups stage in Turin. A draw will be enough to assure Ferrara’s team of qualification.

Champions League, Group A – 5th match day
Bordeaux, Chaban-Delmas Stadium
Wednesday 25th November, 2009

BORDEAUX – JUVENTUS: 2-0

Goals: Fernando (53rd), Chamakh (92nd)

BORDEAUX: Carrasso (Rame 56th), Chalme’, Planus, Ciani, Tremoulinas, Diarra, Fernando, Gouffran (Traore 76th), Plasil, Wendel; Chamakh. Reserves: Rame, Cavenaghi, Bellion, Placente, Sertic, Traore, Sane. Coach: Blanc.

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Caceres, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Grosso; Felipe Melo, Sissoko (Marchisio 87th), Camoranesi, Diego, Del Piero (Immobile 67th), Amauri (Giovinco 76th). Reserves: Manninger, Grygera, Cannavaro, Marchisio, Poulsen, Giovinco, Immobile.
Coach: Ferrara.

Referee: Edoardo Itturalde Gonzalez

Yellow Cards: Camoranesi (33rd), Felipe Melo (45th), Legrottaglie (51st), Caceres (59th), Fernando (54th), Traore (89th),

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)

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.

Amauri (2), Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi and substitute David Trezeguet scored the goals as Juventus produced their best performance of the season to leapfrog Sampdoria, for whom Giampaolo Pazzini grabbed a consolation, into second place.

It was third against second in Turin, as both sides looked to chase leaders Inter. The Bianconeri ended a run of four winless league matches at the weekend, but came into this game with serious injury problems as Tiago, Alessandro Del Piero, Claudio Marchisio, Hasan Salihamidizic, Jonathan Zebina, Martin Caceres and Vincenzo Iaquinta were out. Fabio Grosso, Fabio Cannavaro, Momo Sissoko and Sebastian Giovinco returned in a 4-2-3-1.

Samp were in confident mood having thrashed Bologna 4-1 on Saturday, and could temporarily go top by winning again. The Blucerchiati made two changes as Daniele Gastaldello came in for Marco Rossi at the back, while Angelo Palombo suffered a muscular problem and was replaced by Fernando Tissone. The best strikeforce in Italy at the moment, Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini, led the attack.

Juventus created the first opening of the game on 10 minutes as Luca Castelazzi saved well from Grosso before Diego fired over from the rebound via a deflection. From the following corner Castellazzi flew low to his right to make a brilliant stop from Giorgio Chiellini’s header.

The home side were doing most of the running, but Samp fired a couple of warning signs through Marius Stankevicius and Reto Ziegler.

The deadlock was broken in Juventus’ favour on 25 minutes in scrappy circumstances. A corner from the left was not cleared properly by the Samp defence, and Amauri was on hand to lash home the loose ball.

Giovinco tested Castellazzi with a long shot, and Amauri headed wide before Samp made a tactical switch on 36 minutes as Claudio Bellucci replaced Luciano Zauri and the visitors moved to a 4-3-1-2.

A second Juventus goal was on the cards, though, and it arrived on 42 minutes. Chiellini charged forward from defence, laid the ball off to Amauri on the left, and then tapped home at the back post from the Brazilian-born striker’s centre.

Stankevicius fizzed an effort wide before the half time whistle, but it had been Juve’s best half of football this season so far.

Juventus almost made it three straight after the interval, but Castellazzi saved brilliantly to prevent a Stefano Lucchini own goal.

Marco Padalino replaced the disappointing Tissone as Samp threw on their second substitute of the evening.

On 49 minutes it was indeed 3-0. Diego slipped through Giovinco, who cut back expertly to Mauro Camoranesi to sidefoot home.

Giovinco was on fire down the left, and could have made it four a few minutes later as he raced past Stankevicius before shooting into the sidenetting. Grosso also hit a 30-yard piledriver inches past the top corner.

A fourth goal was coming, and it arrived on 61 minutes as Amauri bulleted home a header into the far corner from Camoranesi’s cross.

It had been a miserable night for Samp, but they at least grabbed a consolation three minutes later. Bellucci crossed from the left and Pazzini nodded into the top corner from six yards.

Juventus gave a run-out to David Trezeguet and Paolo De Ceglie, who came on for Amauri and Felipe Melo.

Trezeguet should have scored on 71 minutes as Giovinco put the ball on a plate for him at the back post, but the Frenchman fluffed his shot.

Substitute Trezeguet did find the back of the net three minutes from time as he headed past Castellazzi from Grosso’s deep cross.

With this win Juventus swap places with Sampdoria and move up from third to second, one point behind Inter who play tomorrow against Palermo.

Wednesday 21st October 2009
JUVENTUS – MACCABI HAIFA: 1-0 Goals: Chiellini (47th). JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina (Caceres 34th), Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Felipe Melo (Poulsen 61st), Sissoko; Camoranesi, Diego, Giovinco; Trezeguet (Amauri 80th). Reserves: Manninger, Caceres, Legrottaglie, De Ceglie, Poulsen, Amauri, Iaquinta. Coach: Ferrara. MACCABI HAIFA: Davidovitch; Meshumar, Teixeira, Keinan, Masilela (Zaguri 45th); Osman, Boccoli, Culma, Refaelov (Dutra 56th); Dvalishvili, Arbeitman (Ghadir 45th). Reserves: Edri, Harazi, Maymon, Strahman, Dutra, Ghadir, Zaguri. Coach: Levi. Referee: O. Benquerenca Yellow Cards: Culma (10th), Texeira (31st), Osman (39th), Zaguri (48th), Boccoli (89th), Red Card: Dutra (68th)

On the 5th minute came the first real dangerous opportunity for Livorno as Buffon saves well on a dangerous Lucarelli shot. Two minutes later Camoranesi with a great shot sees the ball going inches wide after receiving from Giovinco. Juventus must only wait for another minute, however before rejoicing. On the 8th minute Camoranesi crosses into the area and Iaquinta heads perfectly into the back of the net! 1-0.

On the 10th minute, Grosso puts a ball into the area but the keeper saves well and seconds later it is Buffon who hands the ball into corner following a dangerous Livorno attack. One minute later, Giovinco with a series of dribbles enters the area but loses the ball at the last moment.

The 14th minute sees Camoranesi who crosses into the area for Trezeguet who is anticipated by the keeper. Five minutes later there is a free-kick for Juve: Camoranesi puts the ball into area but Trezeguet’s shot goes high. On the 24th minute a good cross into the area is cleared by the defence.

One minute later, Candreva makes Juventus fans miss a heart beat as he shoots slightly wide with Buffon beaten. On the 26th minute a Trezeguet first-timer goes wide after a good Juve initiative.

It is the 27th minute when there is a free-kick for Livorno: headed away by the Juve defence. Three minutes later, precisely on the half hour, Juventus score a second. Marchisio enters the area and lobs the ball over the keeper and into the net after receiving from Camoranesi making the score 2-0.

On the 32nd minute a Raimondi header goes high over the post. And two minutes later Buffon performs a miracle on Lucarelli kicking a ball which was destined to the net. From the corner the ball once again reaches the Lucarelli forward who shoots with Buffon performing another great save.

The 38th minute sees a Iaquinta header go high over the bar. Two minutes later, there is a corner for Livorno: Buffon is higher then everyone else and grabs safely.

The referee awards 2 minutes of stoppage time. On the 46th minute there is a free-kick for Juve: Giovinco puts the ball into the area shoots perfectly with the keeper lucky to cradle the ball. The half ends with 2-0 for Livorno.

The second half sees Juventus creating a number of good chances but controlling the match while defending the result. On the 2nd minute a ball is put into the area with Iaquinta who is fouled while trying to head but the referee signals to play on. One minute later, a Marchisio shot is deviated into corner.

On the 7th minute, Buffon performs a spectacular save on a Filippini lob destined to goal. Five minutes later, Iaquinta hits the bar with the flag up for off-side. On the 14th minute De Ceglie comes on for Giovinco.

On the quarter of an hour mark, there is a free-kick for Juve from 35 metres: Camoranesi puts a ball into the area towards Trezeguet who does nit manage to head well. Two minutes later, a Trezeguet first timer with a scissor shot hits the post!

The 19th minute sees a free-kick for Livorno: Buffon saves on the re-bound after Juve had stopped for an out ball. Four minutes later, a Iaquinta shot is put into out. On the 27th minute it is time for a debut: Marrone comes on for an excellent Camoranesi who exits applauded by the public. It is the half hour when the young Juve midfielder wins Juve a free-kick after a great initiative: Grosso’s shot goes inches high.

On the 31st minute, Trezeguet is unlucky as his attempt in the area goes high over the bar. Four minutes later, the Frenchman is replaced by Amauri. On the 41st minute, Iaquinta heads after receiving in the area but the ball is saved by the keeper. Two minutes later Buffon performs another super-save this time on Candreva.

After four minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blows with Juventus taking home their fourth consecutive win (the 6th for Ferrara) and another clean sheet for Buffon.

Serie A 2009/10 – 4th match day
Turin, Olympic Stadium
Saturday 19th September, 2009

JUVENTUS-LIVORNO : 2-0

Goals: Iaquinta (8th), Camoranesi (20th),

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi (Marrone 72nd), Poulsen, Marchisio; Giovinco (De Ceglie 60th); Iaquinta, Trezeguet (Amauri 80th). Reserves: Manninger, Zebina, Ariaudo, Molinaro, De Ceglie, Marrone, Amauri. Coach: Ferrara.

LIVORNO: De Lucia; Raimondi, Diniz, Miglionico, Pieri; Pulzetti, Mozart, Moro; Candreva; Tavano (Cellerino 69th), Lucarelli (Danilevicius 63rd). Reserves: Benussi, Knezevic, Danilevicius, Vitale, Filippini, Marchini, Cellerino. Coach: Russo.

REFEREE: Pierpaoli from Florence

Yellow Cards: Moro (45th)

Vincenzo Iaquinta broke the deadlock for the Italians in the 63rd minute but the French champions were rewarded for some enterprising play as Czech midfielder Plasil pounced 15 minutes from time.

Ciro Ferrara, a 1996 winner as a player for Juventus, was taking charge of his first Champions League match as Juve coach since replacing Claudio Ranieri in May.

But Laurent Blanc’s men surprised the Bianconeri by putting them on the back foot early on and playing the better football for much of the contest.

Early burst

Fernando Menegazzo made an early burst through the Juve defence and forced a decent save from Gianluigi Buffon, before Yoann Gourcuff turned a low cross over from 12 yards.

The hosts replied with Tiago firing over after a well-worked corner set-piece, while Iaquinta almost poked a long ball over Cedric Carrasso and strike partner Amauri tested the visiting keeper with a deflected strike after neat footwork by Sebastian Giovinco.

The diminutive midfielder sent a 25-yard strike straight at Carrasso on the half-hour mark, but Bordeaux remained dangerous, with Alou Diarra firing wide while Ciani headed over from Gourcuff’s corner.

Wendel had a 20-yard shot blocked by Nicola Legrottaglie just after the break and both sides had their best chance yet in quick succession.

Buffon denied Gourcuff with his feet, before Iaquinta latched onto a quickly-taken free-kick to round Carrasso but failed to direct the ball goalwards from an acute angle.

Juve pressure

Carrasso was injured in the process and replaced by veteran Ulrich Rame, who soon had to turn wide a Fabio Grosso free-kick as Juve enjoyed their best spell.

And Fabio Cannavaro then spotted left-back Benoit Tremoulinas out of position to release Iaquinta in the right channel and the Juve striker beat Rame at his near post with a first-time right-footed strike from just inside the box.

Bordeaux made a positive response with Fernando cutting in from the right before seeing a fierce 20-yard drive parried by Buffon.

Juve midfielder Felipe Melo tested Rame with a long-range effort and the sub keeper had to pull off a fine point-black save as Amauri headed Giovinco’s corner goalwards.

And that save proved vital as Fernando flicked on Gourcuff’s inswinging free-kick from the right and Plasil stole in behind Tiago to turn the ball in at the back post.

Juve had a great chance to take all three points late on as Claudio Marchisio turned Martin Caceres’ left-wing cross against the bar but that would have been harsh on Bordeaux.

Ciro Ferrara fielded a 4-3-1-2 formation with a number of changes compared to the starting line-ups in the Peace Cup. On the 1st minute Legrottaglie deviated a Giuseppe Rossi shot from outside the area into corner with Zebina doing the same following the cross from the flag seconds later.

On the 3rd minute it was once again Rossi who tried a shot upon entering the area with Manninger saving easily. From the goal kick Juventus showed great speed and team work with Trezeguet finally stopping the ball for Del Piero who’s shot was saved with some difficulty by the Spanish keeper.

The match is immediately very exciting. On the 5th minute Manninger performed two excellent saves, the first on Cazorla and on the re-bound shot by Rossi deviating into corner. On the 8th minute Giovinco is grounded at the end of the area but the referee signals to play on. One minute later a Nilmar shot is deviated by Legrottaglie into Manninger’s hands.

The 9th minute sees Giovinco on a good run and crossing into the area where Del Piero first tries to head and then Giovinco with a beautiful shot sees the ball go wide. Juventus seem to be causing some problems to the Villareal defence with long balls. On the 11th minute a Zebina cross turns out to be a dangerous lob with the keeper forced to jump high to stop the ball.

On the 18th minute Capdevilla entered the area dangerously but was stopped by Cannavaro in what could have been an extremely dangerous attempt at goal. One minute later it was Zebina who managed to take the ball of Rossi’s feet from right in front of Manninger. On the 19th minute it was a brilliant Giovinco move to bring the ball out of the defence and launch a counter-attack which ended with a shot by Zebina going high.

Giovinco seemed to be in great condition playing excellent football and launching the bianconeri as was the case on the 21st minute. The Atomic Ant was fouled on the occasion with Del Piero hanging-in the free-kick into the area and Cannavaro’s header being saved with difficulty by the keeper.

The 22nd minute sees Rossi again attempting a shot at goal with Manninger cradling the ball. Two minutes later the ball is put into the area by Zebina, who is also having a good match, with the ball deviated into corner. Seconds later it is Camoranesi who puts a good ball into the Villareal area with the keeper saving. The 25th minute sees Manninger grabbing the ball from a free-kick on the right.

On the 29th minute a good Zebina incursion forces the Villareal defence to put the ball beyond the touch line. Three minutes later Cazorla shoots wide from outside the area. On the 37th minute Manninger shows saves hands yet again following a dangerous exchange in the area by Nilmar and Rossi with the latter shooting at goal.

The 42nd minute sees Villareal stealing a ball in midfield and Cazorla shooting from outside the area and sending the ball behind Manninger for the opener: 1-0 for Villareal.

The second half sees Iaquinta and Amauri coming on for Del Piero and Trezeguet, Salihamidzic for Camoranesi and debutant Caceres (on the day of his official presentation) for Zebina. Legrottaglie came on the field in the second half sporting the captain’s band.

On the 2nd minute Amauri, with a great move, puts a good ball into the centre of the area with the final shot by Melo going wide. One minute later, Iaquinta runs and crosses in the area, Amauri tries to head but does not manage. A few seconds later it is Caceres who crosses but the ball is deviated into corner. It is once again the Uruguay talent who an instant later saves on Nilmar launching Juventus. The brand new Juventus signing is immediately showing great football skills.

The 6th minute however sees the yellows score a second: a great Manninger save is not enough to stop Nilmar heading home from the re-bound. Five minutes later, Salihamidzic puts a ball into the area but the bianconeri are stopped for an off-side. Brazzo protests seconds later for an unsanctioned foul which could have seen him in a dangerous bit of action.

On the 13th minute a Molinaro cross is deviated into corner. From the corner the ball is cleared by the Villareal defence but Giovinco wins it back putting it into the area with Iaquinta and Legrottaglie obstructing one another and failing to head the ball. Zanetti comes on for Marchisio on the 20th minute. One minute later Villareal make Juventus’ fans hearts miss a beat as a ball by Pires travels across the whole goal line but is not deviated into the net.

It is again Villareal to be dangerous on the 25th minute with Manninger managing to leap onto the ball cradling it. Two minutes later Cheillini and Taigo come on for Molinaro and Melo. Legrottaglie tries a header which turns out to be a dangerous one but the defence manages to clear. On the 28th minute Giovinco and Iaquinta try to create a dangerous opportunity but on both occasions the defence clears. It is the yellows’ keeper who saves seconds later on Iaquinta.

The 32nd minute sees Villareal scoring a third thanks to Pires. Juventus seem to be rather static in the defensive phases, probably due to the heavy training of the pres-season. What is sure is that the result is too heavy for the bianconeri who showed some good play. Three minutes later Legrottaglie makes space for young Ariaudo. The 36th minute sees Villareal risking an own-goal after an Amauri cross into the area.

On the 39th minute Juventus benefit from a corner, the ball reaches Amauri who puts the ball into the net for the 3-1. Yago comes on for Giovinco. At the end of the match Juventus showed some very good initiatives and on the 44th minute Yago put a delicious ball into the area which was eventually cleared by the defence. Villareal, however continue to score thanks again to Pires who beat Manninger for the 4-1 on the 45th minute with a first-timer.

The second minute of injury time sees Iaquinta taking a free-kick from outside the area: the powerful shot is saved by Diego Lopez. There is no time for anything else and the final result is a heavy 4-1 defeat.

Aston Villa were energetic and Juventus will rue missing a whole host of chances in regulation time, as the English side managed to win the Peace Cup 2009 edition in a penalty shoot-out.

Winger Ashley Young had the first good opportunity of the match, cutting inside past Jonathan Zebina, but his powerful effort was straight at Gianluigi Buffon.

Indeed, while Juventus were being fairly patient in attack, Aston Villa were using the wings to attack, forcing the Bianconeri goalkeeper to make a number of stops from shots from a tight angle.

Sebastian Giovinco and Mauro Camoranesi were causing the Villans defence problems with their crossing and through balls, but Vincenzo Iaquinta missed a golden chance when he could not direct his header on target after thirty minutes.

John Carew had been largely anonymous, but his powerfully hit free-kick was turned around the post by Buffon. Juventus responded, but Iaquinta spurned yet another chance from his head after a set-piece by the ‘Atomic Ant.’

The English side were doing most of the pressing, but the Bianconeri rearguard held up well until the half-time whistle blew.

It was more of the same in the second half, as neither team could break the deadlock.

The restart was largely uneventful until 60 minutes, when Zebina broke down the right and cut back for David Trezeguet, but the Frenchman shockingly hit it over the bar. It was a waste of the best opportunity of the match thus far.

Eric Lichaj chased a promising through ball, but only caught a piece of Buffon while lunging for the ball.

The Italians were taking more control in the match as it came to a close, looking for a winner, but were once again thwarted by poor finishing from both Trezeguet and Iaquinta.

With extra-time approaching, Ciro Ferrara threw on Alessandro Del Piero, but despite some exciting dribbles no more real opportunities arose.

Marc Albrighton, who has had an excellent tournament, nearly was one-on-one with the keeper, but Giorgio Chiellini made a crucial clearance. The Italian international was involved again as he poked the ball off the foot of Nigel Reo-Coker in the area.

The veteran Trezeguet nearly made up for an earlier mistake with a well-executed bicycle-kick, but it was straight at Guzan, who gathered the ball.

As both teams tired, the match lost it’s edge and there was an interesting incident as the referee blew the whistle early, at 116 minutes, rather than the customary 120 as penalties arrived.

After Bannan scored, Iaquinta’s poor night continued as his weak penalty was saved by Guzan. However, Sidwell lofted his effort over the cross bar.

Trezeguet, Lowry, Amauri, Young, Felipe Melo all converted before Buffon denied substitute Chris Herd. However, talisman Alessandro Del Piero shot right down the middle – but the American shot stopper was not fooled and also made the decisive stop on Nicola Legrottaglie for a precious shoot-out victory!

Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus (4-3 after penalties)

Juventus Staring XI (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Melo, Marchisio; Giovinco; Iaquinta, Trezeguet.

Aston Villa Starting XI (4-4-2): Guzan; Lichaj, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Young, Weimann, Carew.