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Juventus beat Inter at home, and do Roma a huge favour
Posted - 23rd March 2008
This was the grudge match of the season, as Juventus played Serie A reigning champions Inter Milan at home in the San Siro. The two biggest clubs in Italy have always contested the derby dell'Italia fiercely, but this year the stakes are higher. Countless Juventus fans blame Inter for their disgrace in calciopoli (rather than the actual culprits, the Juventus administration), or at the very least for having profitted from their fall from grace. Add to this the fact that high profile players like David Trezeguet came out before the game to say that they were rooting for second placed AS Roma to make a comeback (with their help) against Inter, and the stage was set for a tense and angry match.
In the end, though, the match was played in the best of spirits, and was a nailbiter to the end. The first half saw both teams largely equal. Ranieri opted to play Del Piero and Trezeguet up front, while Mancini opted for Ibrahimovic and Cruz, supported by Jimenez. The first half saw a number of good chances missed by both teams. Alessandro Del Piero, making his 522nd appearance for Juventus played well, creating chances for his team-mates, but failed to finish on his own chances.
The second half was a different story, though, as Juventus went ahead with a great goal from Italo-Argentine midfielder Mauro Camoranesi - notwithstanding the fact that it was scored from an offside position. A lead earned in a manner that could only add further tension to the game. The goal transformed Juventus, while Inter's coach Mancini decided to shake up his midfield by replacing Jimenez with Honduran striker Óscar David Suazo Velázquez (Suazo), who immediately upped the ante, but at the same time left Inter exposed to counter-attacks from Juventus. And so it was when Camoranesi and Del Piero fed a ball through to French striker Trezeguet who smashed home his 17th goal of the season (bringing him back level with Genoa's Marco Borriello as top striker thus far in the competition).
Much has been written about this Inter side's spirit - or lack thereof. They've been criticised for underachieving, particularly after their defeat in the Champions League against Liverpool. Last night, though, they showed spirit and staying power, as they fought to get back into the game. Maniche came on for Cruz, and late in the second half the promising new talent Balotelli came on for Chivu in a move caluclated to put further pressure on the Juventus defence.
Juventus had themselves to blame, though, for letting Inter back into the game, as Del Piero missed a perfect opportunity to score a definitive third goal. He and Trezeguet found themselves facing a lone Inter defender, and passed the ball between them as if each were unhappy to take the responsibility of strking. In the end it fell to Del Piero, who fluffed it directly into a thankful waiting Cesar.
Inter's pressure on the Juventus goal finally paid off with a brilliant run from Maicon who dribbled his way past the defence from the right hand corner and passed a shot through to a waiting Maniche. It set the game up for a thrilling final five minutes plus extra time, as Inter threw everything they had at Juventus - Mancini shouting at Materazzi and his other defenders to push up front in support. Inter came close, again with Maniche, who slid a ball just wide with moments to go. Juventus held steady though, and came away with a controversial and hugely important win. It now puts Inter's lead over Roma at just four points, and leaves everything to play for in the last leg of the championship.
Objectively Inter should still win. They have the points advantage, and Roma still have the Champions League to battle over. Add to that Roma's inconsistency (they struggled to beat last-placed Empoli at home), and things still look good for Mancini's men. On the other hand, there are clear problems within Mancini's camp - Ibrahimovic failed to ignite last night, and tensions appear to still be simmering between the coach and some of his key players. Time will tell...
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