A sell-out crowd was promised at the Marassi tonight for the eagerly anticipated promotion showdown between Genoa and Juventus. While the Rossoblù were looking to get their promising season back on course, a win tonight for the Bianconeri would see them claim top spot for the first time this term. With Del Piero, Trezeguet, Zanetti and several other big names still unavailable through injury, coach Didier Deschamps kept faith in the youngsters who crafted the magnificent turn around against Lecce six days go. Last week's goal scorers Palladino and Bojinov were paired in attack for the second game in a row, while Marchisio retained his place in the centre of midfield. Gigi Buffon, who received the Fifpro award for world's best goalkeeper (as voted for by 43000 professionals across the globe) before kick-off, returned to the Juventus line-up after serving his one match suspension. The evening also saw Gianluca Pessotto take his post as Bianconeri team manager for the very first time.
The game kicked-off with a high tempo. Neither side were holding back, throwing men forward early on in search of the opening goal. In just the 4th minute, the Bianconeri had a goal ruled out for off-side. Genoa failed to deal with a Juventus corner, clearing the ball only as far as Marchisio on the edge of the box. The midfielder drove the ball back towards goal and Palladino got a foot to it, diverting Marchisio's effort into the back of the net. The striker's celebrations were cut short though by the linesman's flag raised on the far side. Genoa were full of running and Buffon did well to deny Coppola in the 7th minute, parrying the midfielder's effort wide for a corner. Camoranesi came close to opening the scoring two minutes later, pouncing on a mistake by Fabiano in the Genoa penalty area, but Barasso was there to save his powerful right-footed effort. The pace of the game was relentless as the Rossoblù threw men forward in search of a goal. It took some strong defending from the Bianconeri to keep the home side out but on the half hour mark, Genoa were inches away from taking the lead. Fabiano crossed in from the left and it took a last minute intervention from Balzaretti to deflect Adailton's header over the bar. Genoa won a penalty from the resulting corner after Longo went down in the box. With 35 000 eyes willing the ball in, Buffon rose to the challenge, tipping Adailton's effort onto his left post and making the take second time round. Juventus looked to work their way back into the game with Palladino and Bojinov combining well in the final third but Genoa kept their cool at the back. At the other end, Fabiano and Adailton both came close as the half drew to a close but the two teams entered the tunnel at the break with clean sheets to their name. The second half began in rather less frenetic style. Genoa were sitting deeper than they were in the first period, giving the Bianconeri more time to get their passing game going. Juventus were controlling possession but it was Genoa who drew the first blood of the half, Coppola forcing a fine save from Buffon with a powerful left-footed effort in the 53rd minute. The Bianconeri began to increase the pressure and in the 66th minute Bojinov wrestled the ball from De Rosa and thumped the ball towards goal with his right-boot. Berasso made a great save to deny him the opener and three minutes later, it was Genoa's turn to set pulses racing, Adailton heading just wide from a Greco cross. In the 70th minute, the Genoa number one was there again to parry a dangerous header from Nedved, but his luck ran out a minute later. Nedved was fouled on the left edge of the box and he made no mistake with the resulting set-piece, firing the ball into the far corner of the goal to give Juventus the lead (0-1). The Bianconeri's advantage lasted just three minutes, Juric equalising for the home side with a clever finish after latching onto a Greco flick-on (1-1). The goal completely changed the complexion of the game as both sides upped the tempo. Juventus began to dominate and in the 80th minute, Nedved came close to adding a second, firing a powerful effort just wide of the left post. Genoa were threatening on the counter but as the clock wound down it was the Bianconeri who looked most likely to secure the win, hammering away repeatedly at the Genoa back line. The Rossoblù held firm though, and the away side's frustrations culminated in a sending-off for Nedved right at the death. Juventus were forced to play out the remaining seconds with ten men before referee Farina finally brought proceedings to a halt. GOALS: Nedved 71', Juric 74' BOOKED: Birindelli 31', Greco 36', De Rosa 55', Paro 57', Balzaretti 59', Nedved 80', Zebina 88' SENT-OFF: Nedved 90+3' GENOA: Barasso; Bega, De Rosa, Criscito; Botta, Coppola, Longo (Diogo 72'), Fabiano (Stellini 78'); Adailton, Juric (Zeytulaev 82'), Greco Subs: Rubinho, Biasi, Lopez, , Forestieri Coach: Gasperini JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli (Zebina 81'), Kovac, Boumsong, Balzaretti; Camoranesi, Paro, Marchisio, Nedved; Bojinov, Palladino Subs: Mirante, Chiellini, De Ceglie, Venitucci, Guzman, Maniero Coach: Deschamps REFEREE: Farina ASSISTANTS: Stagnoli, Ambrosino 4TH OFFICIAL: Pinzani Deschamps comments : "It was a good game for the spectators against a quality Genoa outfit. We had a few difficulties in the first half but in the end we created a lot of chances. My only regret is conceding so soon after taking the lead". Didier Deschamps was satisfied with the point his team earned at the Marassi against one of the championship's top sides. "Genoa deserve credit. They created a lot and they showed great movement. Over half their team have what it takes to play at the top level. It was an open game and there could have been more goals but overall it was a good result for us". The point gives Juventus a share of the lead alongside Napoli. "It was hard to think we'd be top two months ago but we deserve to be here and today we confirmed the great start we've made. We might be in first place but it's only for tonight, the others play tomorrow. There's a long way to go yet and the most important thing is to be there at the end of the season". REGARDS -elang- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
