By Anna Italia

                 LAZIO   2 -   3 FC JUVENTUS
                                   36' Goran Pandev          29' David Trezeguet
                                   92' Goran Pandev          48' Alessandro Del Piero
                                                                         70' Alessandro Del Piero

SUBSTITUTIONS:  75' Scalloni out, De Silvestri in        46'  Nedved out, Tiago in
                                85' Mudingay out, Meghi in       

The challenge for Lazio is to win at home to start gaining points in the Serie A Standings after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid. The Challenge for Juventus is to win away and not lose track.  Juventus has 29 points only 3 points behind the second place Roma.  If Juve lose the match, it will be a major upset for La Vecchia Signora. While a draw for Lazio will be a victory.

Great expectation of this match is the return of the former LAZIO player and now start of Juventus PAVEL NEDVED. Nedved played for Lazio 5 seasons.  I am focusing on two key players: Goran Pandev for Lazio and David Trezeguet from Juventus.

First opportunity of goal starts with Lazio.  Goran Pandev, in the 17th minute, shoots directly to the net only to find Juventus Saint Goalkeeper GIGI BUFFON.  Great save by Buffon but the ball rebound and defender Zebina cleared danger. Juventus is saved! Lazio wasted a precious opportunity to score.

One minute later, Lazio continue pressuring. Mauri  wasted another opportunity to score. Wow, this cannot be possible. Am I seeing right? Lazio is dominating Juventus!!! Unbelievable...
                               
Time for Del Piero having a great match  to take Juventus by the hand.  In the 29th minute, David Trezeguet  opens the score!  A cold shower for Lazio.  Lazio 0 - 1 FC Juventus.

Not so fast, Mamma mia!  Goran Pandev equalized the score in the 36th minute!  Lazio 1 - 1 FC Juventus

What do you know?  Did not I tell you that my two guys were Goran Pandev and David Trezeguet? Interesting! They both scored for their respective teams. Though, I am all for JUVENTUS... waiting for a goal from Del Piero! 

The first half ends Lazio 1 - 1 FC Juventus, a reminder of the same result during the Sixteenth Round Serie A from the 2005 -2006 Season, again the star for Juventus scoring the goal is the same David Trezeguet!

The second half starts with the substitution of Pavel Nedved for Portuguese Tiago.
                                 
In the 48th minute, oh no, yes, it is a goal from ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO!!!!! Hey,  I am on target today!  I was looking forward for Del Piero's goal, and there he is!  GOOODDD, BRAVO DEL PIERO!!!!  Sei forte!!! This is Del Piero's 140th goal in Serie A, and 6th goal in the current season.  Hip hip hurrah for DEL PIERO!!!
 Lazio 1 - 2 FC Juventus

A great match because Lazio is the one pressuring and making most of the match, but Juventus --technically superior - profit better chances for goal. 

In the 65th minute, Kolarov with a free kick from 32 meters sends a cross to Tommaso Rocchi who shoots a powerful ball that only Saint Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon could save.  Rocchi is trying his best to score but he cannot pass Buffon's net! 

In the 68th minute, in a counterattack Alessandro Del Piero with a great run sends a shot blocked by Lazio goalkeeper Ballotta. Linesman indicates Del Piero was offside.

wow, this is awesome guys!  Just a minute later, my great ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO blast Ballotta's net! Del Piero score Juventus third goal!!!!!    Lazio 1 - 3 FC Juventus

A great day for Del Piero!  Boy, am I happy for Del Piero! Just awesome!  Great! Nobody better than ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO as Juventus symbol!

Best Juve defender so far has been Zebina!

I wonder when is Lazio Coach Delio Rossi doing a substitution? Is not that Lazio is winning hello... but losing at home! 

Unbelievable, Delio Rossi waited 85 minutes to make his second substitution! Oh oh, bad tactical move. He should have made the substitution at least 10 minutes earlier or right after Juventus third goal.  Am I looking the red warning sign "to be sacked"  for Delio Rossi? 

Juventus not willing to lose these precious 3 points! 

In the 89th minute, Lazio has another chance for scoring. Kolarov shoots from 35 meters only to be blocked by Nocerino.  Juve is saved.

Referee Brighi signals 3 minute stoppage time.  Can Lazio equalize the score in three minutes? 

Oh no, why did I ask?  Gee,  just in the 92nd minute, Goran Pandev scores the second goal for Lazio! What a terrible mistake from Juve's defense!  No wonder why Gigi Buffon gets upsets and protest against his teammates. Juve cannot risk losing or getting a draw in the very last minute..... one more minute.....  come on guys! Stringete denti!  Lazio 2 - 3 FC Juventus

Uffaaaa mamma mia!  It's over. Referee Brighi whistles the end of the match. JUVENTUS won!  A doppietta from Alessandro Del Piero!  Juventus is now in second position along with AS Roma with 32 points.  Roma will play tomorrow against Torino. 

Lazio failed to accomplish their challenge.  Losing at home is just a major blow for the biancocelesti. Wonder what Lazio President Claudio Lotito will say?

LINEUPS

Italian Serie A Tim 2007 - 2008 Sixteenth Round Fixtures - Matchday 16
Saturday,  December 15,  2007
Lazio - Juventus
Olimpico  Stadium


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JUVENTUS

Goalkeepers: 1 Gigi Buffon,  13 Jess Vanstrattan, 12 Belardi
Defenders: 2 Alessandro Birindelli, 21 Zdenek Grygera, 33 Nicola Legrottaglie, 28 Molinaro, 19 Criscito , 3 Giorgio Chiellini, 5 Zebina
Midfielders:   4 Sergio Almiron, 6 Cristiano Zanetti, 7 Hasan Salihamidzic, 30 Tiago Cardoso Mendes, 32 Marco Marchionni,   23 Antonio Nocerino, 11 Pavel Nedved, 24 Olivera
Forwards: 10 Alessandro Del Piero, 17 David Trezeguet,  20 Raffaele  Palladino