Juventus-Genoa and Coppa Italia round-up

By: Francesco | November 13th, 2008

Because of the Italian National Rugby Team playing a game at the Stadio Olimpico in Torino on Sunday, Juventus-Genoa had to be played today. Juventus have been playing well as of late and have been led by the inspirational play of Alessandro Del Piero. Genoa have proved a tricky opponent this season and have seemed almost unbeatable at home. However their away performances do not replicate the brilliant home performances put in at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The Rossoblu’ also have many Bianconero connections: coach Gian Piero Gasperini used to manage the Juventus Primavera side, Giuseppe Sculli and Andrea Gasbarroni are Juventus youth products, while Raffaele Palladino and Domenico Criscito were playing for Juve last season. Juventus went ahead after 5 minutes. Czech right back Zdenek Grygera received a deft touch from Del Piero, entered the area, and slotted home past Rubinho. (Grygera also scored vs. Genoa last season)

Diego Milito has been on fire this season and almost equalized after slipping past the Juve defense but just putting his shot into the side netting. However in the 24th minute Juventus widened the lead. Grygera was involved again, crossing for the head of Amauri, who put it past Rubinho. Genoa kept trying to create but couldn’t really string anything solid together. Iaquinta came on for Amauri in the 82nd minute and within seconds put Juve 3-0 up. The World Cup winning striker received another deft flick from Del Piero and was sent clear on goal, slotting home calmly past Rubinho. Genoa then got a penalty kick, as Nicola Legrottaglie was called for a handling offense. Diego Milito scored straight down the middle (his 10th of the season) to put Genoa withing 2 goals with 2 minutes left. In the late stages Juventus completed the rout after Mauro Camoranesi (who came on for Marchionni) put a low ball into the box for a cross and Greek defender Sokratis deflected it into his own net. Juventus are now momentarily top of the table.

For more on Juventus and Genoa, read the Juventus and Genoa Offside blogs.

COPPA ITALIA

Three Coppa Italia games went on yesterday, Sampdoria-Empoli, Udinese-Reggina, and Napoli-Salernitana.

Udinese – Reggina 0-0 (Udinese wins 8-7 on penalties)
(I can’t find highlights anywhere, I watched it, the game was very drab and not very exciting)

Sampdoria – Empoli 2-1