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Result
Honours even for Italy and Serbia
Jun 17th
Five-time European Under-21 champions Italy had to settle for a point from their Group A curtain-raiser against Serbia in Helsingborg.
Close contest
Italy’s first-half ascendancy gave way to a much-improved Serbian showing after the break as a crowd of 7,158 was treated to an always engaging tussle between two ambitious sides. Gojko Kačar’s scissor-kick against the upright was the closest either team came to a breakthrough.
Three up front
The game started openly and the first corner, won by Italy captain Marco Motta, produced a free header wasted by Paolo De Ceglie. However, the first notable chance fell to Serbia as Nemanja Matić matched his persistence down the left with a penetrative cross that Zoran Tošić met inside the Italy area, sending his first-time strike narrowly off target. The Azzurrini’s response was a curling effort from outside the box from the diminutive Sebastian Giovinco – forming a front three alongside Robert Acquafresca and Mario Balotelli – which Željko Brkić tipped over. More sighs of relief followed from the sizeable Serbian contingent inside Helsinborgs IF’s Olympia as Acquafresca headed wide.
Ebb and flow
Serbia coach Slobodan Krcmarević chose a tactical template similar to Casiraghi insofar as three men shared the attacking duties. Tošić and Miralem Sulejmani – both wide players by trade – were supported by the versatile Kačar, a willing runner and raider. After half an hour Sulejmani scooped through a ball which Tošić was just beaten to by Italy keeper Andrea Consigli. His opposite number, Brkić, was similarly stretched by a firm Balotelli free-kick.
Revenge mission
The pre-match talk had been of an Italian revenge mission after Serbia’s opening-day victory over the Azzurrini in the 2007 finals. Increasingly, as half-time approached, that goal looked within reach. Giovinco’s cross-cum-shot had Brkić back-pedalling. Salvatore Bocchetti spurned a shooting opportunity; Balotelli did not, rifling the ball against Brkić’s body. Yet the interval clean sheet appeared to vindicate Krcmarević’s decision to give Jagoš Vuković his competitive debut at centre-back.
Clean through
With Tošić sparking, Serbia began the second half as if trying to restore balance to a shot count heavily favouring the Italians. Soon another notch for Casiraghi’s men, though, as Acquafresca nodded a Giovinco set-piece into Brkić’s arms. There seemed little between the teams, although a gap did emerge in the Serbia defence when Giovinco sprang the offside trap from Luca Cigarini’s pass. Perhaps unaware of time and space, the Juventus talent lifted the ball tamely at Brkić.
Off the woodwork
At the other end the clever passing exchanges between Serbia’s attacking triumvirate – often prompted by the elegant left-footed midfielder Matić – were gaining in fluidity and frequency. Towards the 75-minute mark, Nenad Tomović forced a desperate save from Consigli after Nemanja Pejčinović touched on a Tošić corner. Still more pressure ensued: Kačar’s acrobatic strike rattling Italy’s right post, before a Tošić free-kick whistled past the left. The resulting deadlock put both countries two points behind the day’s winners, hosts Sweden, who beat Belarus 5-1.
Youthful Denmark no match for Italy
Jun 10th
Denmark 0-4 Italy
Italy completed their preparations for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a convincing 4-0 win in Farum against a young Denmark side.
Early double
With the hosts fielding players who will be eligible for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, the most experienced Azzurrini side took control of the game with two goals in 22 minutes by strikers Mario Balotelli and Robert Acquafresca. Substitute Daniele Dessena added the third soon after the interval, while defender Andrea Ranocchia completed the scoring with three minutes to play.
Serbia starter
Casiraghi started with a 4-3-3 formation which should be very similar to the one for the opening game against Serbia on 16 June – Andrea Consigli played between the posts, Marco Motta, Marco Andreolli, Salvatore Bocchetti and Domenico Criscito in defence, Paolo De Ceglie, Luca Cigarini and Claudio Marchisio in midfield with Balotelli, Acquafresca and Sebastian Giovinco in attack.
Strikers register
Italy took the lead after only 13 minutes courtesy of a precise free-kick by Balotelli. Nine minutes later, the FC Internazionale striker’s shot was parried by Danish goalkeeper Jonas Lössl, Cagliari Calcio forward Acquafresca was first on to the rebound and made it two from close range as Italy continued to create a series of good opportunities to score on the counterattack.
Numerous changes
During the interval, Casiraghi made seven substitutions but it took only two minutes for Dessena to find the net with a clever chip after a brilliant defence-splitting pass by Giovinco. Italy continued to control the game and Casiraghi made another three substitutions without forcing his side to lose momentum, Lössl fumbling a corner from the right to allow defender Ranocchia to complete the scoring on 87 minutes.
Lazio Beat Juventus In Turin To Reach Coppa Italia Final
Apr 23rd
Giovinco failed to impress against Lazio
Lazio have booked their place in the Coppa Italia final with a fine performance against a Juventus side who were not at the races in Turin. Mauro Zarate’s first half wonder goal got the Romans on their way before Aleksandar Kolarov doubled their money in the second half, while Alessandro Del Piero came off the bench to pull one back for his side in delightful fashion, but it was not enough.
First Half
Lazio kicked off in the Olimpico and they showed Juventus that they were in no mood to sit on their 2-1 advantage from the first leg. Good work by Pasquale Foggia created the first chance of the game. The winger drew a foul from Olof Mellberg and the referee awarded a free kick from outside of the box. Ledesma swung the ball on for Mauro Zarate, but the Argentine was late arriving at the back post as Gianluigi Buffon watched the ball spin wide.
Claudio Ranieri made some wholesale changes to the team which played against Inter and you could tell as Juve struggled to get forward. Lazio enjoyed the lions share of the possession in the opening minutes and they were unlucky not to have taken the lead when some slack Bianconeri defending saw Tommaso Rocchi through. Marco Marchionni failed to clear properly and the ball feel kindly to the Italian hitman. However, his left-foot shot on the turn was wide of Buffon’s post.
The home side struggled to create any chances worthy of mention. Lazio’s midfield quartet of Francelino Matuzalem, Ledesma, Christian Brocchi and Pasquale Foggia ensured all spaces were covered. The Bianconeri were forced to play long ball football which played into the Biancocelesti hands.
The Roman outfit were in control as Juventus continued to waste possession. Mauro Zarate should have given his side the lead when a clever pass in behind Lorenzo Ariaudo by Foggia allowed the hitman to run in on goal, but he snapped at the ball and his powerful effort went wide as Buffon looked on. Down the other end, Ranieri’s men showed themselves occasionally, but when they did it was with intent. Quick feet by Sebastian Giovinco, who started in place of Pavel Nedved, saw him blitz past Lichtsteiner to cross a pinpoint ball for Vincenzo Iaquinta. The Italian striker dived to head the ball, but it was just wide.
Juve started to settle down and find their rhythm after 30 minutes of trying. A quick break involving Marco Marchionni and Iaquinta on the right allowed Trezeguet to find some space on the edge of the box as the Lazio defence tracked back. Iaquinta fed the ball to the Frenchman who controlled and unleashed a powerful drive on the turn, but Nelson Muslera got down well to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.
Down the other end, Zarate opened the door to the Olimpico final next month a little further, and finally gave his side the lead with a wonder goal. Kolarov slid a nice pass to the hitman who controlled, looked up, and fired a magnificent right-foot curler into the top corner. The sheer quality of the strike made Buffon look average as he struggled to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.
Second Half
Claudio Ranieri knew his side were up against it and he introduced Pavel Nedved and Camoranesi for Marco Marchionni and Sebastian Giovinco respectively. The changes seemed to have the desired effect as the Bianconeri came out with all guns blazing. Trezeguet should have done better when Camoranesi guided the ball to his head, but the Frenchman hesitated which allowed Muslera to punch clear.
Juve’s hopes of reaching the final were laid to rest when Kolarov, just like he did for Zarate’s goal, waltzed towards goal unchallenged, this time he didn’t pass though. The defender saw Buffon off his line and smashed a powerful effort towards goal. The ball took a wicked deflection off Zdenek Grygera as the ball beat the goalkeeper to double the Roman side’s advantage on the night.
The Bianconeri reacted with aggression and pride and they were unlucky not to score twice in as many minutes. A super cross from Marchisio found Trezeguet who rose above everyone to head towards goal, but Muslera made a miracle save to prevent the ball from going in down this his left. Iaquinta should have pulled one back with a free header, but he placed it wide of the far post. Muslera was beaten, only the finish lacked accuracy.
Lazio finally succumbed to the Bianconeri pressure when Camoranesi found Alessandro Del Piero, who had just replaced Iaquinta, with another fine pass. The number 10 controlled brilliantly on his chest and smashed a volley from close range into the top corner. Muslera had no chance as the Italian struck coldly and sharply to halve his side’s deficit. The goal boosted Juve and Nedved was unlucky not to have drawn his side level when he headed Camoranesi’s cross onto the post from close range.
Lazio will meet either Inter or Sampdoria in the final next month.
Teams
Juventus 4-4-2: Buffon, Grygera, Mellberg, Ariaudo, De Ceglie, Marchionni(Camoranesi), Tiago, Marchisio, Giovinco(Nedved), Iaquinta(Del Piero), Trezeguet.
Lazio 4-4-2: Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov, Brocchi(De Silvestri), Ledesma, Matuzalem(Dabo), Foggia(Mauri), Rocchi, Zarate.
Goals: Zarate 38′, Kolarov 52′, Del Piero 64′
Cards: Marchisio, Matuzalem
Red: Camoranesi (Dissent)
Ref: Nicola Rizzoli
Ten-Man Juve Draw With Inter
Apr 19th
Juventus welcomed Inter to the Stadio Olimpico of Turin tonight in a final attempt to keep the Scudetto race somewhat alive, with the Nerazzurri ten points ahead. Claudio Ranieri’s side played in a 4-4-2 formation with captain Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta in attack, while Inter played in an unusual 4-1-4-1 with Luis Figo, Dejan Stankovic, Sulley Muntari, and Mario Balotelli behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
First Half
The match was lively from the start, with both sides looking dangerous going forward. The first big chance was for the visitors in the 10th minute, when Balotelli went past Nicola Legrottaglie and fired a shot on goal that was deflected by Gianluigi Buffon, but the ball was still heading toward the back of the net before Tiago made a great last-second clearence.
In the 23rd minute, there was an interesting shot by Inter defender Walter Samuel from the edge of the area that went just wide of the post.
Five minutes later, the Argentinean defender was called into action as Pavel Nedved found Iaquinta in the area with a long pass, which he managed to intercept and clear for a corner.
A huge chance came for the home side on the half-hour mark, as Del Piero played the ball to Marco Marchionni, who went past Christian Chivu and found himself alone in front of Julio Cesar, but he couldn’t beat the Inter keeper with his cheeky lob.
Inter responded in the 34th minute, when Stankovic went for goal with a powerful shot from the edge of the area on an assist by Balotelli, but it was off target.
The visitors threatened again three minutes later, as Ibrahimovic played it forward to Figo, who dribbled his way past Legrottaglie and Christian Molinaro, but he couldn’t get it past Buffon who did well to come out and grab the ball.
That was the last chance of a lively first half, which finished on a 0-0 score that reflected the proceedings up until that point.
Second Half
The second half started with the same players as in the first half.
The first chance of the second half was for Stankovic, who tried another one of his long distance efforts, which was once again neutralised by a confident Buffon in the 50th minute.
Inter looked more convincing at this stage of the match, and Ibrahimovic came close to opening the scoring in the 57th minute with a header from inside the area on a cross by Balotelli, which was well saved by Buffon.
On the hour mark, Chivu sent in a dangerous cross toward the far post aimed for Muntari, who came slightly too late to tap the ball in.
On their next chance, however, Inter were more clinical and they opened the score. In the 64th minute, Muntari crossed the ball in for Balotelli on a counterattack, and the youngster fired a clinical diagonal shot that beat Buffon to make it 1-0 Inter.
The Nerazzurri were in complete control after this, although Julio Cesar had to come out well in the 70th minute to a shot by Marchionni, who did well to penetrate into the area to reach a pass from the right by Iaquinta.
A turning-point in the match came in the 76th minute, when Tiago was handed a straight red card for a couple of harsh fouls on Muntari and Balotelli, leaving Juve depleted with ten men.
This made things even easier for the visitors, and they came close to doubling the score in the 79th minute with Stankovic, who forced Buffon into another good save with a shot from the edge of the area.
In the last minutes of the match, Inter seemed to be well in control and passed the ball around comfortably. In the 88th minute, they had another chance to score as substitute Julio Cruz fired another shot from distance from a nice pass by Ibrahimovic, but once again Buffon was alert and deflected the ball away.
However, just when it all seemed lost for Juve, Zdenek Grygera managed to find an equaliser in injury time, heading in a corner kick by substitute Sebastian Giovinco after being left unmarked by Inter’s defence. It was the 91st minute.
There were no further chances in the remaining minutes of injury time. Inter wasted this opportunity to completely wrap up the Scudetto race, but they are still 10 points clear of Juve with just six games to go now.
Chievo’s Pellissier Ends Juventus’ Scudetto Hopes With Stunning Hat-Trick
Apr 6th
Juventus’ hopes of the Scudetto are surely over as Sergio Pellissier completed his hat-trick in injury time to earn Chievo a thrilling 3-3 draw in Turin.
It was a pre-Easter treat for Calcio fans as all 10 Serie A games were set for today. With Inter not kicking off until 1800 CET, Juventus had the opportunity to temporarily cut the gap at the top to four points.
The Bianconeri’s injury problems had eased up during the international break, and Mauro Camoranesi and Paolo De Ceglie returned to the bench. Zanetti, Sissoko, Legrottaglie, Amauri, Ekdal, and Manninger were all still injured though. Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta continued up-front.
Chievo had seemed certain for relegation at the turn of the year, but just one defeat in their last 12, including two successive wins means they have moved clear of the drop zone. The Flying Donkeys were minus the services of Makinwa, Moro, Frey, and Kerlon. Sergio Pellissier and Erjon Bogdani launched the attack.
First Half
Juventus had the first opportunity of the game as Del Piero latched onto Hasan Salihamidzic’s pass but delayed his shot and was crowded out by Santiago Morero.
Chievo’s maiden chance arrived on 11 minutes, as Pellissier raced onto a clever free kick and lobbed the ball over the bar.
Del Piero fired a free kick over, while Molinaro blazed high, wide and not very handsome from 25 yards.
Juve received a blow midway through the half, as Salihamidizic was forced off injured with a problem to his right knee. Camoranesi replaced him.
A minute later Chievo caused a sensation by taking the lead. Pellissier raced onto the end of a long ball, rounded Gianluigi Buffon, and then slotted into an empty net.
It did not take long for Juve to hit back though, and they were back on level terms on 33 minutes. Camoranesi produced a moment of magic to backheel the ball, and Giorgio Chiellini volleyed a rocket on the turn that thundered in off the underside of the crossbar.
Juventus were buoyed by their equaliser and pushed forward looking for a second. However, completely against the run of play, Chievo regained the lead just before half time. Again, Pellissier caught Mellberg and Chiellini sleeping, and slotted into the bottom corner past Buffon.
Second Half
Claudio Ranieri made a double change at half time. Jonathan Zebina and David Trezeguet were introduced for Grygera and Del Piero.
Iaquinta tested Sorrentino with a long-range free kick, but on 51 minutes Juventus were back level again. Molinaro’s cross from the left was headed back across goal by Camoranesi, and went in off the unclucky Mantovani.
Juve then missed three chances in quick succession to score again. Sorrentino produced two brilliant saves from Iaquinta and Trezeguet, while the Frenchman also fired inches wide.
Juve were a totally different team after the break, and Chiellini also twice went close, heading agonizingly wide from six yards with his second chance.
Trezeguet thumped over from Camoranesi’s pass, Marchisio’s penalty appeals were waved away, but Juve finally found the third goal on 78 minutes. Camoranesi provided his third assist of the game, teasing his man and chipping the ball up to the far post for Iaquinta to head home.
Juventus looked set to hold on for three crucial points, but in injury time Pellissier grabbed a point for Chievo. Langella raced down the left and lobbed the ball up to Pellissier to head home and complete a stunning hat-trick.
Juventus’ Scudetto hopes are now surely over, as they are six points behind Inter, who have a game in hand against Udinese later this evening.
Teams
Juventus: Buffon; Grygera (Zebina 46), Mellberg, Chiellini, Molinaro; Salihamidzic (Camoranesi 23), Marchisio, Tiago, Giovinco; Iaquinta, Del Piero (Trezeguet 46)
Chievo: Sorrentino; Sardo (Mandelli 69), Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini (Langella 80), Pinzi; Pellissier, Bogdani (Esposito 65)
Goals
Pellissier 25 (C)
Chiellini 33 (J)
Pellissier 43 (C)
Mantovani o.g 53 (J)
Iaquinta 78 (J)
Pellissier 90 (C)
