19 August 2010

Juve win in Graz!

Del Neri fielded the usual 4-4-2 formation with Diego and Amauri as the attacking duo in the starting line-up.
The bianconeri immediately had a very determined start to the match and on the 5th minute they benefit from a corner after a great bit of action with a De Ceglie cross, a Diego touch and an Amauri shot saved by the keeper: Lanzafame scores but the goal is disallowed for off-side.

Four minutes later, a Kainz shot goes just high. Both teams seem to be holding on well in the first few minutes but on the 15th minute there is a corner for Juve after a great bit of action by Amauri: Diego puts the ball into the area and Bonucci heads home for the opener: 0-1. It is the first goal of the young defender since joining Juventus this summer.

Sturm Graz try hard to react to the Juve goal and on the 19th minute Storari makes a great save cradling the ball. One minute later there is a great intervention by Bonucci on a dangerous Austrian initiative.

On the 22nd minute, Gratzei performs a great save on a beautiful Amauri attempt. Three minutes later there is a free-kick for Sturm: Standfest's attempt goes wide. It is the 27th minute when an Amauri cross does not find anyone in the area.

A few seconds later, first Diego and then Lanzafame both try a shot at goal but with no luck. On the 31st minute, Bukva hits the post: close call.

The 35th minute sees a corner for Juve: cross into the area but action is stopped for a foul in attack. Seven minutes later a Pepe cross is headed by Amauri but the ball goes just wide and on the 44th minute, a De Ceglie cross is intercepted by the defence.

The first half ends on the 45th minute with Juventus winning by 0-1. The second half sees Juventus taking even a stronger hold on the match but on the 3rd minute Chiellini clears a dangerous ball.

One minute later a Diego shot from outside the area is saved by the keeper. On the 6th minute, there is a corner for Sturm: the cross into the area is not met by any striker. Two minutes later it is the bianconeri who benefit from a corner: Diego's cross is cleared by the Stendfast.

Martinez comes on for Lanzafame on the 10th minute. On the 20th minute there is a corner for Juve: cross into the area but Martinez finds no mates. Three minutes later, Pepe tries a right-footed shot but the ball goes wide.

Free-kick for Sturm on the 24th minute: Buvka's shot goes wide. One minute later, a Motta shot goes high over the bar. Felipe Melo comes on for Marchisio. On the 28th minute, Martinez puts in a good cross following a run on the flank but Pepe and Amauri do not manage to intervene.

Del Piero comes on for Diego on the 30th minute. Free-kick for Juve won by the captain: Del Piero's attempt goes high. Five minutes later, a Weber attempt is saved by Storari.

On the 36th minute there is a free-kick for Sturm: ball into the area and Schindenfeld heads home for the equalizer:1-1.

Juve react to the Austrian goal and on the 40th minute win a free-kick following a foul on Del Piero: the captain hits the post. On the rebound the captain is once again grounded and another free-kick given. Del Piero takes the free-kick with the ball skimming the post.

The referee gives 4 minutes on stoppage time and on the 2nd there is a corner for Juve: ball into the area by the captain and Amauri heads home: 1-2. The result remains unchanged until the end of the match and Juve have one leg in the group phase.

Europa League – Play-offs- 1st Leg
Graz, UPC Arena
August 19th, 2010
STURM GRAZ – JUVENTUS : 1-2
Goals: Bonucci (15th), Schildenfeld (81st), Amauri (91st),
STURM GRAZ: Gratzei; Standfest, Feldhofer, Schildenfield, Pucher, Weber, Kainz (Klem 72nd), Kienzl, Bukva, Szabics, Kienast (Haas 73rd) Reserves: Cavlina, Burgstaller, Ehenreich, Klem, Foda, Muratovia, Haas. Coach: Foda.
JUVENTUS: Storari; Motta, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Pepe, Sissoko, Marchisio (Melo 70th), Lanzafame (Martinez 55th), Diego (Del Piero 75th), Amauri. Reserves: Manninger; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Melo, Martinez, Trezeguet, Del Piero.
REFEREE: Cakir
Yellow Cards: Marchisio (30th), Chiellini (38th)