Pellegrino Helps Juventus Overcome Cesena

By: roberto | November 7th, 2010

In the opening minutes of the game, Cesena took advantage of an awkward-looking home team that struggled to produce any meaningful presence. Cesena’s Marco Parolo and Luis Jimenez looked dangerous early as Motta’s defensive shortcomings were targeted and exposed. Motta did manage to kick someone in the face so I guess he wasn’t a complete waste. The eighteen year old Sorensen, who made his first Serie A debut starting for the injured Legrottaglie and Chiellini, looked a bit timid at first playing a few hospital balls to his teammates however he settled into things nicely in the second half.

Back to the first half though, in the eleventh minute, Cesena deservedly took the lead after Moggi’s boy Matias Schelotto laid out a beautiful pass across the face of Storari’s goal for the ex-Nerazzurri Luis Jimenez for the tap in. With our right side getting lit up, Del Neri got Pepe and Marchisio to switch sides so the latter could provide Motta with a little more cover. The hemorrhaging seemed to stop.

Ten minutes or so later, the efforts of Del Piero and Aquilani gradually dragged our team into this game by winning fouls in the opponents half, including another long-range attempt on goal by the Aquaman. Then in the thirtieth minute, Leonardo Bonucci drawed a foul in the penalty area as Cesena’s Pellegrino was decisively beaten to a cross and then clumsily hung on to our central defender’s jersey. The penalty shot was then calmly converted into the left corner off of Del Piero’s seasoned right foot to tie the match at one a piece.

Former Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah started the match for Cesena in the deep lying midfielder role and made one or two nice passes but failed to make any impact on the game. Cue the poorly timed fouls. In the thirty-seventh minute, Appiah clipped FabQuags from behind to get the game’s third yellow card. Then in a moment of pure stupidity, Cesena’s Pellegrino invited the referee to award him his second yellow as he fouled Simone Pepe who had him clearly beat and was free down the left. Cesena was reduced to ten men and would really never recover.

Four minutes before the half, Marchisio curled a beautiful left-footed cross into the box where Fabio made it 2-1 to complete the comeback. Cesena then went to a 3-2-4 formation which meant Schelotto came off in favour of a central defender. This was more good news for the Bianconeri as Grosso’s defensive duties just got much easier.

The second half started with Del Neri screaming instructions from the sidelines. Juventus maintained a steady pace throughout where Bonucci and Sorensen controlled the back effectively and Aquilani maestro’d the attack. Around the sixtieth minute, Del Neri substituted Sissoko and Del Piero for Melo and Iaquinta. Unfortunately ten minutes later, Felipe picked up another injury after a ridiculous clearance attempt so the second outcast, Hasan Salihamidzic, came on.

In what would be Grosso and Saliham’s moment of redemption, the two outsiders linked up to produce Juventus’ third goal of the match in the eighty-seventh minute. Grosso switched the play from his left back position to Hasan who was playing right midfield, then the Bosnian did well to supply Iaquinta with a low cross to which the striker redirected brilliantly into the top corner. A bit of a fluke, but a good effort by Iaq nonetheless.

A few things I’ll point out here. Fabio Quagliarella is Amauri’s antithesis right now. He can run, fast, he can dribble, with purpose, he can shoot, on target, and head the ball effectively as well. Hopefully Iaquinta gets hot soon and I’ll never have to see Amauri again. Aquilani, Marchisio, Del Piero, and Bonucci all had great games today. We’re seriously decimated by injuries right now but we’re grinding these performances out thanks in no small part to those individuals and Luigi Del Neri wholeheartedly agrees:

“I am pleased, as I told you Juventus didn’t depend on any one player. We are Juve whoever is on the teamsheet and that is how we must step on to the field. I am happy for the lads today, as we were in an emergency situation with seven or eight players missing, but all the replacements did their part. We need to be more clinical in front of goal, as we could’ve sealed the victory a lot earlier, but had to suffer until Vincenzo Iaquinta’s strike.

It is important to think like a team unit. If there is the chance to set up a teammate into a scoring position, then that is a necessary step to become more mature. I wanted to rest him, but he assured me that he was feeling better and so I put him on, but he picked up another injury. The midfield remains a crucial area of the squad and for the moment we are doing well. I must also praise Fredrik Sorensen on his debut, especially the second half, and Leonardo Bonucci who has played practically every game and does not seem tired mentally or physically.”

IERI… OGGI… DOMANI… SEMPRE JUVE!!!

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Category: Team News

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Al

Great Video: 50 Juventus' Starts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Elaine

Wow, best 6 min. of my day. That was amazing. Thank you!
Godson Hernandez

Good news, Traore is back (i truly hope this is good news) and Melo is not injured but may be rested against Brescia.
Juan Montoya Novielli

SHIT! Bale is worth 50 mil euro..............................is it too much?
ooBia

This guy says it best:

http://www.studs-up.com/2010/1...
Papai

awesome
Papai

in a word, yes

the english press overhyping as usual
FollowTheSun

The guy plays two (admittedly awesome) games against Inter and he's worth more than Aguerro, Dzeko, Pastore...u get the drift
Rinaldo2882

Are we even going to consider playing Amauri against Brescia? If Del Piero needs a rest, surely we should start Quags-Iaquinta upfront.
Elaine

ESPN soccernet has an article today with Inter whining about injuries. Moratti is making excuses for Rafa as to their recent form.

Do you see why it is so easy to love Juve and to hate Inter?
Chuks A.

You're awesome.
I just thought I would say that=D
Elaine

Grazie. I just call it like I see it.
wali_100

Amauri, Cheillini , Traore.. are back with the Team.. so Good news.... well kinda good news ... since Amauri is back.
Andy

What about Lanzafame? Anyone know when he will be back?
JoseR

I believe he was available against Cessena last weekend. Also to add wali USA post, Melo's injury is not serious. He will be rested for the midweek game and will probably play from the beginning against Roma.
kazeboy250

wait. STOP! AMAURI has recovered from his freakingfever? Cant it be like longer.? Why can't he be like the poor guy owen hagreaves?
Nick Amoroso

great game juve :)
cesena really shouldn't have scored but we still won :D
anyone know what actually happened to melo? 'cause i didn't see..
forzaaa juveee per sempre!
Robee

Damn, only if you analyse the Cesena goal by watching it a few times in replay, you understand how weak we were actually defending... 4 against 3 and only Grosso is following immediately after the cross... Bonucci and Sorenson only have eye for the ball and leave their opponents completely unmarked, while Marchisio let's his man go (probably thinking Grosso will mark him but Grosso had to deal with the 2 in front of him as well...)
Blanda_Amania

Thank you for the summary, Roberto! I missed the match. Got home at 9:30pm after playing two matches. I was dead tired and couldn't hang till midnight to watch the boys play. Husband said I refused to wake up to watch it (crazy, I know!). Have pity on me. If anyone can find a replay of it could you post it? Please, with sugar, whipped cream, and coconut shavings on top?!

I hear we had 3 goals from 3 different strikers. Weren't we worried earlier that our goals weren't coming from strikers? This is comforting news, and I so wanted to watch another of our youngsters play. Heard Sorensen had a decent debut.

Yay for 3 points and being able to scrap them out playing deep into our bench!
FollowTheSun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Blanda_Amania

Thanks so much for that! Those are awesome goals, two of them off of crosses. So proud of how far they've come along since last season.
Elaine

Thanks for the highlights, I was only able to follow the gamecast. I was watching 2 other games simultaneously - yikes! 6 am, TV & 2 computers - my husband strolls out at 7:30 and just laughs at me!. Are there any 12 step programs for football addiction? If so, please don't tell him. I don't want to be saved.
Papai

its brilliant how much of a difference Amauri can make

by not playing.
Tariq Falaknaz

Another thing, that performance was complete rubbish. We have to play Roma and they are breathing down our necks. Fiorentina, Genoa, Lazio and Manchester City to go as well... Krasic might return for the Lazio game (Prognosis was 25 days, so mathematically Dec 11 is doable) but non the less with 5 tough matches to go and this insane amount of injuries, it will be tough.

I seriously hope we are still in the top 4 by winter break.
Papai

Allow me to disagree with you -

We are in a serious rebuilding phase - in fact i would say we have overachieved a bit this season till now, i was expecting us to be around sixth now at the start of the season. The fact that Aquilani has settled so soon, Melo has rediscovered himself, Bonucci is developing, Storari has been consistently solid... all point towards good things to come.

We are showing a mental toughness that was really missing last season - imagine playing these games with so many suspensions and injuries - we need to learn the art of getting something out of a game even if we are playing badly, this mentality is the most important thing to develop in a team and we are on the right path.

Finally, and here i am repeating myself, we should not look at the standings at all now. Lets take it one match at a time, and see where we are at March.
Blanda_Amania

A rational assessment and plan.
dwicarta

On the contrary, I say our performance against Cesena was superb! Sure it was not too pleasing to the eyes but we slayed a few ghosts at this game:

1. We lost half of the starting XI and half the bench and still won. Would never happen last season.
2. We just had our 3rd game in 7 days and our records are of 2-1-0.
3. MK27 didn't play so we lost our most potent weapon but as a result, Aquilani (MotM) and Marchisio (co-MotM) grew and played better by the game.
4. We started Kjaer's grandson and we only conceded 1 goal.
5. Quags keeps finding the net. Shed his "inconsistent" tag a bit.

Growing pains are not pleasing, but they are necessary. I agree, though, that it is good news if we are in the top 4 by the winter break.
Tariq Falaknaz

I'm going to provide a link with all the data-sheets and statistics for our goalscorers in Serie A so far once Aaron approves me linking stuff! But just so you know, Quagliarella has been unbelievable so far for us.

He is the top scorer (too early, but 5 goals is what Amauri scored in a year and a half, and what Chiellini scored in 1 season!... wait so Chiellini is a better goalscorer than Amauri!)

He is also there with the assists
His dribbling skills, speed and runs at goal keeps defenders on the edge, and he has the "I am going to prove myself here" spirit, its not as strong as Pepe (braveheart spirit), but its up there.

Also regarding injuries shouldnt we be expecting Grygera and someone else back within a week or so?
JoseR

Enjoy this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
djp4cal

I have a new man crush and his name is Alberto Aquilani. Claudio, you have competition.
Rinaldo2882

Don't forget Giorgio and Milos. God, I'm such a faggot.
djp4cal

LOL

We all are, then. Well except Blanda. Haha.
Blanda_Amania

I'm starting to bat my eyes and fan myself at Aquilani as well, even though I had my doubts about his fitness upon his signing. He's so calm and confident under pressure. His jawline and feathered hair are amazing as well.
djp4cal

Haha. But you're a female, so everything you do is perfectly understandable!
Tariq Falaknaz

If you all lot are just faggots, I've reached a hentai level. Milos, Marchisio, Melo, Del Piero, Quagliarella, Chiellini, Storari, Buffon ... and for the sake of having pretty boys *winks* Lanzafame and De Ceglie
FoolOnTheHill94

dude!melo,what d'you see in him i'll never know,lol
Papai

disturbing, to say the least.
jorid22

This whole discussion ^^^^^ is gayer than the love child of Ricky Martin and Lance Bass who was later adopted and raised by Clay Aiken and George Michael lol.
kazeboy250

Sorenson was quite good today. I was impressed especially with Aquilani passing around the ball in midfield.

But Motta was still the weakest link in the squad. He lost the ball many times due to poor passing and poor dribbling.

But still we won :D
Arunashamal

I think Delneri has a bit of a Pele syndrome. He said he will keep Diego and Marotta sold him next week. and said Grosso and Sali won't play ever , and he had to play them BOTH week after that. hehe... hope he won't say we will win the scudetto.