Saturday Night, Juventus Vs Milan - Sunday, 13 April 2008

A very entertaining match at the Olimpico di Torino saw Juventus beat AC Milan 3-2, in a game that makes the Rossoneri bid for Champions League football all the more unlikely. Goals from former Bayern Munich man Hasan Salihamidzic, and an opener from Alex Del Piero cancelled out two from Milans Inzaghi, in what was one of the games of the season.

It was an end to end start that swept away the old stereotype of Italian football, with some excellent attacking football. Indeed it seemed as if we were watching a game from 5 years ago, as Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi played as if they were in their prime in the first half, both hitting the back of the net, and looking very lively. The first was from Del Piero who locked on to a Camorenesi through ball to strike across Kalac in the Milan goal. Where Camoronesi was influential in setting up opportunities for Juve, it was Kaka who set up the first Inzaghi goal, cutting in from the left and fizzing the ball across the front of goal, where goal poacher Inzaghi was on hand to equalise. His second came as the Juventus defence cleared from a free-kick. Daniel Bonera started a one-two with Ambrosini, to cut through the defence, where he squared it to Inzaghi for number two, with only 30 minutes gone. The game continued to make chances, and just before half time the Bianconero grabbed an equaliser. Paolo Maldini uncharacteristically lost the ball, and Camoronesi immediatly delivered a devastating cross for Trezeguet, whose header was too hot to handle for Kalac, and Salihamidzic netted his first.

The second half started off slower, and the turning point came as Daniel Bonera turned from hero to villain with a dangerous tackle on Momo Sissoko, resulting in him being sent off. This in turn forced Ancelotti into a very defensive move, taking off the sole striker Inzaghi for Cafu, but the pressure this invited resulted in Juve's winner. A Camorenesi free kick from the right in the 78th minute was met by Salihamidzic, and there was no way back for Milan.

The game was well fought, but Juventus played some excellent football throughout the game, and will be delighted to have gotten the better of their bitter rivals, and to have consolidated 3rd place. AC Milan however, must now rely on Fiorentina losing on Sunday away to Inter, but even then, Sampdoria and Udinese will be fighting for 5th spot as well, close on their tales.

Tim D