Serie B: Juventus - Bologna [12-05-07]

[D-Kin]

Juventus boss Didier Deschamps insists his side are unlikely to be promoted this weekend. “Let’s just concentrate on beating Bologna,” he stated.

The Old Lady are currently eight points clear of third-placed Napoli and could make sure of a spot in the top flight over the next 48 hours if they beat Bologna, while Genoa and Napoli are both defeated.

However, the French tactician believes his side will have to be a little more patient when it comes to promotion.

“There is this possibility of going up, but I doubt it will happen given the fine form that Genoa are in at the moment,” he stated.

“I don’t think that we could make the decisive step this weekend. We just need to concentrate on the fact that we need another six points to get back into the First Division.

“Let us just concentrate on doing our job without thinking about what the other sides do.”

Juventus will have to be fully focused at the Stadio Olimpico seeing that they are coming up against a Serie B giant.

“Bologna are a side of quality who up to December were doing very well,” Deschamps continued. “They’ve had a few problems since and changed Coach, but they could cause us issues.

“All you have to do is look at the players at their disposal. They always look to create teams dilemmas by playing good football.”

Cristiano Zanetti and Giuliano Giannichedda will be available for the tie, but Juve will be without the suspended Pavel Nedved, as well as the injured Mauro Camoranesi and Matteo Paro.

“The team loses personality and effectiveness without Nedved and Camoranesi,” added DD. “When they are at their best they always give 100 per cent.

“I don’t want this to be an excuse, but I would have preferred to play against Bologna being able to count on them as well.”

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Boumsong, Legrottaglie, Balzaretti; Marchionni, Zanetti, Marchisio, Palladino; Del Piero, Trezeguet

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Juventus 3-1 Bologna
Juventus snatched a controversial last-gasp win thanks to a debatable penalty, as Bologna ended the game with nine men. The Bianconeri had the opportunity to be mathematically promoted this week, although even a victory would’ve meant waiting until Tuesday’s Brescia-Napoli match, while Bologna were in the running for a play-off spot. Legrottaglie pulled out during the warm-up, so Chiellini was redirected to central defence with Balzaretti down the left.
Del Piero had several early efforts well saved and Zebina was booked for simulation as he tried to earn a penalty. Despite being forced into two substitutions in the opening 23 minutes, it was Bologna who took the lead. After Marazzina’s header skimmed the upright, Bellucci sprung the offside trap to place an angled drive past the stranded Buffon. Juve also lost Giannichedda to injury and fought back with a weak Trezeguet header, while Terzi’s fumbled defensive manoeuvre almost let the Frenchman past Antonioli.
The Bianconeri equalised just before half-time, as substitute Zanetti’s long ball forward sent Del Piero clear for a right-foot finish that restored parity between the teams and the two joint top scorers in Serie B. Going into the break only a fantastic Antonioli save kept Bologna in it, prodding a Trezeguet stop and volley off the line with an outstretched foot and parrying Balzaretti’s header from the resulting corner.
Didier Deschamps’ men were more determined in the second half and Manfredini’s challenge prevented Trezeguet from nodding a Zanetti cross into an empty net, then Antonioli blocked Del Piero’s effort, but as time wore on they kept on hitting the Rossoblu brick wall. The visitors focused solely on the counter and went close to restoring their lead with Meghni’s free kick shaving the upright and a couple of dangerous attempts from subsitute Fantini.
Juventus gave youth team hero Giovinco his Serie B debut and Trezeguet wasted another opportunity by not getting enough power on to his header. The game turned six minutes from time, as Ayroldi pointed to the spot for Smit’s supposed push as Marchionni went to jump. Bologna were furious and Terzi saw red for dissent, but Del Piero had to twice convert due to encroachment. Even after the penalty the visitors continued to protest and ended the game with nine men as Marazzina took his complaints too far.
The entire Bologna bench was up in arms and a section of the home fans reacted by throwing objects in their direction, as the tension was sky high at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite being two men down, the Rossoblu nearly equalised when Buffon flew to parry a Bellucci header from point-blank range. Juventus made the points safe in stoppages with youngster Giovinco marking his debut with a splendid assist for Trezeguet’s tap-in.
Scorers: Bellucci 27 (B), Del Piero 37, pen 86 (J), Trezeguet 92 (J)
Sent off: Terzi 83 (B), Marazzina 87 (B)
Juventus: Buffon; Zebina (Birindelli 64), Boumsong, Chiellini, Balzaretti; Marchionni, Giannichedda (Zanetti 26), Marchisio, Palladino (Giovinco 76); Del Piero, Trezeguet
Bologna: Antonioli; Daino, Terzi, Castellini (Smit 15); Brioschi (Fantini 69), Mingazzini, Amoroso (Morosini 23), Manfredini; Meghni, Marazzina, Bellucci
Ref: Ayroldi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LAF]

I watched the first half. We dominated them just the little flicks and such were slightly off.

Good win though.

[azzurri]

Almost there.

[LAF]

From what I saw, Marchionni looked very good.