To say i was apprehensive about this game would be an understatement. Roma, despite the fact that we’ve thumped them silly for the last 4 years, always present a threat and i was half expecting to see the same gritty Roma side that showed up in midweek against Kosice. Not to say i expected a 7-1 drubbing, but rather a team that showed some real attacking intent and put us under pressure.
Instead, i saw a personal dream realised and the birth of a new Juventus idol. Now it may be early to start gushing about individual performances, especially as the season is only 2 weeks old, but come on, how good is Diego ?!
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Phew, It’s been a while since the last post – Laziness on my part but I plan to correct that ASAP. Moving swiftly on, the Juventini will be praising their luck today as we were drawn in Group A of the Champions League group stage against Bayern Munich, Bordeaux and Maccabi Haifa.
Now, I should point out that in no way do i consider this to be an ‘easy’ group – I doubt there is such a thing in Europe’s prestige competition, but when you compare Group A to Milan, Inter or Fiorentina’s draw, you can understand why I’m smiling.
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The summer spending appears to be over for us, and as such, Ciro Ferrara seems to have a first choice 11 ready for the start of the Serie A season. It’s been a summer of trial and error as each friendly game has thrown up as many questions as answers as to who should be playing which position.
Firstly, I think the fans are pleased to see a change in tactics for the first time in a long time. A solid three man midfield with lots of industry and hard work, combined with a play maker in a ‘free’ role to link with the front two has created a hospitable environment for new summer signing, Diego.
Secondly, the players bought in by the club, if slightly overpriced, appear to have slotted in well and appear to be of the caliber we require. Whilst Real Madrid have hogged the headlines for obvious reasons, Juventus have worked hard to re-enforce and address last season’s squad frailties, rather than splash out on ‘marquee’ players. The only problem left for Ferrara to face would be which player to play in each of the positions, but it seems pre-season has helped address the issue.
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Juventus were well and truly thumped by Villarreal as they fell to a 4-1 rout by the Spanish side. Diego was still missing so Seba Giovinco started behind a revised front two of David Trezeguet and ADP.
The visitors made their intentions very clear early on, pushing through the Juventus midfield with relative ease and testing Alex Manninger from set pieces. Juve, in contrast failed to capitalise on the the handful of chances they were presented with, opting to play on the counter.
Juve’s defending was bought under the spotlight as Robert Pires netted twice along with a goal a piece for Cazorla and Nilmar.
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Before I go any further I should point out that David Trezeguet is a footballing icon, a legend for Juventus and one of the most clinical finishers of the modern game. That said, I have to ask myself, is it time for Trez to move on ?
Cast your mind back to last Friday and the Peace Cup final against Aston Villa. Yes, it was only a friendly and yes, it’s still pre-season but where was David Trezeguet during this game ? I mean the Trezeguet that would juggle the ball in the midst of the Fiorentina defence and still drill the ball into the net with lethal precision. The man i saw was a shadow of his former self, squandering a hat full of chances and failing to get himself into the game with any regularity.
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Juventus signed off on a decent run in the 2009 Peace Cup with a limp performance in the final against Aston Villa. Juventus were without the injured Diego while Villa were missing a host of first team players and were forced to call up 3 youth players to bolster their ranks.
David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta started up front for the Bianconeri but they failed to capitalise on some fine crosses from the midfield. Trezeguet was particularly wasteful as he fired over the goal from point blank range and Iaquinta nodded an open header just over the bar.
The Bianconeri were left frustrated as Villa pulled men behind the ball and looked to hit Juventus on the break. Ciro Ferrara threw on Del Piero and Amauri late on in the hopes of bagging a winner but the game seemed destined for penalties.
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Juve are through to the final of the pace cup after beating Real Madrid 2 – 1! Goals came at the beginning of each half with Cannavaro latching on to a Del Piero free kick to put Juventus one nil up. Madrid got a goal back at the end of the half after a rash tackle from Giorgio Chiellini downed Raul and Ronaldo stepped up to convert the penalty.
Juve were far from disheartened and within 8 minutes of the restart, Juve were 2-1 up as Brazzo was left unmarked to head in a Del Piero cross. Madrid tried their best to push forward and grab an equalizer bringing on Higuain and Negredo late on but the Juventus defence, marshalled by Gigi Buffon, was more than equal to the task.
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