FC JUVENTUS   0  -  0  TORINO

Back to the famous "Derby della Mole," I must say that it was a total disappointment.  Despite Juventus having 58% ball possessi and 11 corner kicks compared to Torino 42% ball possession and 8 corner kicks, Juventus could not even score a single goal at home!

Winners here are both goalkeepers: Saint Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon from Juve and Torino Goalkeeper  Sereni.  Both kept their clean sheet making good saves.  So, what went wrong?

In the first 11 minutes, Torino had two clear chances to score.  Though both were offside. In the 5th minute, Torino midfielder Simone Barone tries a through ball finding Striker Alvaro Recoba offside.  Then, in the 11th minute, Gianluca Comotto tries to send a ball  only to find Aimo Diana offside.  Gee.. I thought I was seeing the King of the Offside "Super Pippo Inzaghi." Hah!

In the 12th minute, Juventus Captain Alessandro right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.  It would have been an ideal goal! 

In the 27th minute, it was the turn of Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta to open the score.  Del Piero sends a cross to Iaquinta whose header from the center of the box is saved right in the top center of the goal. 

In the 68th minute, sends a powerful free kick directly into the top corner only to be saved by Torino Goalkeeper Sereni!  Gee, this was a missile and Sereni had to do a super save!  Great effort.

To finish this DERBY DELLA MOLE, a dramatic moment was needed.  Though, instead of an agonizing goal, it was a tremendous "hair pulling" when Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved grasped Torino defender Gianluca Comotto by the hair in the 88th minute. Incredible, Nedved commits this "nervous fault" right in front of the eyes of Referee Rizzoli who had no option than giving him a STRAIGHT RED CARD!!!!  Gee, was Nedved trying to do a haircut, or what?

I did not like this Derby Della Mole, I will say that Juventus is losing something.  Let's hope Juve beat Fiorentina on Sunday. If getting another draw, which will only benefit AC Milan and Roma, then, Juventus better start a prayer chain.

Tomorow is the big clash between INTER and ROMA. For Juventus, it will be better if INTER beat Roma. However, to make this Serie A more interesting, it will be better for ROMA to beat Inter or even get a draw.  

LINEUPS


Week 25 Italian Serie A Tim 2007 - 2008  Twenty Fifth Round Matchday 25

Defenders: Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro;

Midfielders:  Raffaele Palladino (Nocerino 63 mins), Camoranesi, Sissoko, Nedved;

Forwards: Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alessandro Del Piero.

SUBS Not  Used: Emanuele Belardi, Birindelli, Grygera, Stendardo, Salihamidzic, Tiago.

Manager: Claudio  Ranieri

Subs: Belardi, Birindelli, Salhamidzic, Stendardo, Grygera, Nocerino, Tiago.

Torino 4-4-2:

Sereni, Comotto, Di Loretto, Natali(27' Dellafiore), Pisano; Diana(47' Rosina), Grella, Barone, Zanetti; Stellone, Recoba(81' Lanna).

Subs not used: Gomis, Lanna, Corini, Di Michele, Ventola.

Manager: Walter Novellino.

Yellow Cards: Chiellini 55 mins, Recoba 59 mins, Palladino 60 mins, Pisano 71 mins, Nocerino 71 mins, Dellafiore 76 mins.

Red Card: 92' Pavel Nedved