Sunday, August 2, 2009

Juve Win The Battle Of The Titans


Ciro Ferrara’s team have lived up to the coach’s words fielding a great match and cruising to the final of the Peace Cup after beating the merengues featuring Cristiano Ronaldo.

The bianconeri had a fiery start immediately scoring the lead on the 4th minute. A free-kick by Del Piero is headed home by former-galactico Cannavaro with a helpless Dudek sent to the other side of the post. Four minutes later, it was Torres who cleared a dangerous cross destined to Amauri.

On the 9th minute the Brazilian goes close tos coring after receiving from Del Piero with the ball going inches or rather millmetres wide. Another absolute protagonist is Buffon who on the 16th minute saves greatly on a Guti shot.

Real try to react and on the 21st minute it is Raul who sees the ball go slightly high over the post. Juventus however continue to have the upper hand and on the 24th minute a defensive error by Real sees Amauri shooting at goal and Metzelder saving on the line with the ball destined for the net.

Amauri wins the ball again and dribbles even the goalkeeper but finds Pepe in opposition. On the half hour mark it is Chiellini who saves on Cristiano Ronaldo after a good run by the Portuguese ace.

Nine minutes later Chiellini fouls Raul in the area and the referee orders a penalty for the merengues. Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the eleven metres. The last chance of the half is for Real with Benzema left unguarded by the defence but the ball goes slightly high over the bar.

The second half sees Legrottaglie coming on for Cannavaro and also a substitution of the referee. Juventus continue wither agressive and brilliant approach to the game and exactly on the same minute another cross by Del Piero, this time finds Salihamidzic who heads behind Dudek into the net.

Two minutes before Giovinco shows great footwork to enter the area and cross towards Amauri who forces the keeper to a difficult save. One minute after the second Juve goal, Ronaldo enters the area and shoots but finds Buffon in great shape who saves. From the rebound the ball reaches Raul who shoots hitting the post. The best keeper in the world saves again 3 minutes later following a powerful free-kick by Metzelder.

On the 60th minute Giovinco makes way for Zanetti. Four minutes later Raul sends the ball very high over the bar in what seemed a dangerous opportunity and two minutes later it is Benzema who is not precise enough on the shot.

The 68th minute sees Del Piero being replaced by Iaquinta and four minutes later Marrone comes on for Felipe Melo. Juventus administer the match with great personality and go extremely close to scoring a thrid goal when a brilliant shot by Tiago hits the post in what seemed a sure goal.

On the 89th minute Camoranesi dances the samba with the ball as he goes past two defnders with a magnificent move worthy of Nureyev and shoots with Dudek saving with some difficulty. The dying minutes see Real in a desperate attempt to equalize and the galacticos go close twice.

First on the 90th minute with a Benzema header going high over the post and then on the on the 93rd with Buffon finding some difficulty to hold the ball after a cross from the right but blocking Cristiano Ronaldo from shooting at goal.

The match ends in a well deserved victory for Ciro Ferrara’s bianconeri who on Sunday will play against Aston Villa in the final of the Peace Cup.

Juventus.com

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