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| Juventus Warm Up With Win Against Lyon |
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If he wanted a true match in order to prepare in the best of manners for the preliminary against Shamrock Rovers, Gigi Del Neri was definitely not let down. In Cosenza, against Olympique Lyon, Juventus played a match which was far from a friendly one: high rhythm, great determination and hard fouls.
Juventus had a great night and answered as best they could to the affection of the people from Calabria. They beat the French side, semi-finalists in the last Champions League 2-1 with a great performance. Excellent in fact, if one considers the period and the work load. After the opener by the guests thanks to a penalty by Ederson, Del Piero equalized from the penalty spot. In the second half the match winner was scored by Pepe following a fantastic cross by Diego.
The match is intense right from the very start. Lyon are further ahead in their preparation (the French championship starts at the beginning of August), but the bianconeri are more lively. The drawing near of the preliminary match against Shamrock forces them to leave nothing to chance. Del Neri does not do this and “risks” Chiellini and Marchisio from the start. The rest of the formation sees Storari in goal, defence with Motta, Legrottaglie and De Ceglie, midfield with Martinez, Sissoko and Lanzafame with Del Piero and Amauri as strikers.
The Brazilian was immediately very lively and from his action on the right, Lanzafame did not manage to find Del Piero with an acrobatic turn. Driven by the enthusiasm at the San Vito, Juve is flying on the wings. From a great run be De Ceglie on the left, a dangerous bit of action with Del Piero sees the captain being grounded in the area. Russo signals to play on.
The referee awarded the French side a penalty two minutes later when Chiellini fouled Belfodil. From the spot, Ederson beat Storari. The match is always tougher and hard tackles are not missing. The one by Cissokho on Martinez and is too hard and unfair with the ball nowhere close and he is justly sent-off.
With one man more, the bianconeri assault the area of Olympique even more. Cris bloacked a ball with his arm (close to his body) on a shot by Del Piero. On the 39th Juventus equalized. This time a penalty was awarded in favour of Juventus and the captain made it 1-1 at the end of the first half.
In the second half Del Neri stayed faithful to tradition and changed the strikers. Trezeguet and Diego came in together with Pepe for Del Piero, Amauri and Martinez. After a few minutes, Marchisio made space for Ekdal. Juve were soon close to scoring with Chiellini who leaped up in the middle of the area and forced the keeper Vercoutre to a miracle. After Pasquato came on for Lanzafame, Diego skimmed the bar from a free-kick. The sixth change sees Grygera coming on for Motta right in the middle of the second half. Former Juventus player Boumsong came on for Lyon.
Diego continues searching for his goal but once again finds the French keeper in his way, What the Brazilian manages to do on the 30th minute is as valuable as a goal. After receiving the ball from Pepe outside the area, he sees his mate in the area and serves him with a delicious one-two with a precise cross. The former Udinese player does not disappoint and scores with a beautiful right footed shot for a very special debut for Juventus.
Poulsen comes on for Sissoko. Diego is having a great night and all the public is giving him well deserved rounds of applause. He only fails to score and Vancoutre denies him the goal again with a beautiful save. Notwithstanding being one man less, Lyon tries to equalize but are only dangerous from set pieces. The best Storari is necessary to deviate a Kallstrom free-kick.
The result does not change. Juventus obtain a prestigious victory and a very useful one in view of the preliminary match against Shamrock Rovers. From Cosenza, Del Neri returns with many positive indications. |
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