Juve win the first out 38 finals!

Ciro Ferrara once again sees his team emerging from the field with a clean sheet (the third in three matches) and another victory (2 last season and today’s) but most of all he will be satisfied by the great football shown against Cheivo Verona.

The curtain is up and the Serie A gets underway. Juventus are on the field against Chievo with Ferrara fielding a 4-3-1-2 formation with Diego behind Amauri and Iaquinta. The bianconeri are determined and from the very first instances of the game show great football.

On the 2nd minute Amauri receives the ball in the area but does not manage to turn. One minute later Diego with some good work tries to find the strikers but the defence clears.
The 4th minute sees Grygera trying twice to cross but the defence clears. Diego seems to be in grade shape as he inspires the Juve attack.

The 7th minute sees a foul on Iaquinta and free-kick for Juventus just outside the area on the right hand side. Diego puts in a delicious ball which reaches Chiellini who shoots millimeters wide. On the 9th minute a free-kick for Chievo is cleared by Diego who seems to be omnipresent.

The Diego show is on and on the 10th minute the Brazilian stops a ball from going out and immediately serves the attack. One minute later there is a bad foul on Diego by Rigoni who is shown the yellow card.

On the 12th minute it is time for the first celebration of the season: A great ball is put by Diego from midfield into the area, Iaquinta heads brilliantly and the ball is posted at the back of the net for the opener: 1-0.

Juventus are pressing hard on the accelerator and Chievo are finding it difficult to hold the bianconeri back and resorting to some tough tackles. On the 16th minute a Grygera cross is a bit too long for the Juve strikers. One minute later Pellissier is off-side as he shoots wide getting injured in the process.

On the 26th minute it’s time for another show of great play: great action by Amauri who feints Morero, enters the area crosses to Iaquinta who heads well but Sorrentino puts his hand in for a save. One minute later there is a corner for Juve. A great ball is put into the area but the defence manages to clear. Great play by Juve!

The 28th minute sees a corner for Chievo: the ball crosses the whole area and goes beyond the line. In reaction Juventus see a great ball by Brazzo into the area deviated into corner by the defence. Two minutes later there is a foul on Amauri and free-kick for Juve: Diego from 36metres forces Sorrentino to punch away. On the 33rd minute there is a corner for Juve: Diego puts the ball into the area but Chiellini heads high.

Great play by Juventus with Diego and Tiago particularly inspired. On the 39th minute Diego enters the area and shoots from the left with the ball hitting the exterior of the net. Two minutes later Amauri enters the area and wins a corner: the ball is cleared by the defence a first time, Tiago wins the ball which reaches Cheillini who shoots wide.

The 43rd minute sees a great Diego ball into the area with Sorrentino anticipating Amauri for a corner. The ball is deposited once again into corner by Yepes with Chiellini eventually heading high. The second minute of stoppage time and the 47th of the first half sees some beautiful play by Diiego, Tiago and finally by Amauri who raised havoc in the Chievo defence.

The second half sees De Ceglie coming on for injured Salihamidzic. The 2nd minute sees Amauri entering the area with the ball but does not manage to turn. Seconds later some good work by Marchisio sees the ball first reaching Amauri and then the young midfielder again who passes to Diego who is anticpated by the Chievo defence. One minute later Tiago tries a ball into the area but the ball does not filter through.

On the 6th minute Marchisio tries a through ball for Iaquinta but the defence manages to clear. Poulsen is having a very good match in midfield stopping the Chievo initaitives short. Two minutes later Amauri is stopped by the referee in the area for a handsball. On the 10th minute Grygera saves a dangerous ball in the area after a cross by Pellissier.

We’re in the 12th minute and there is a corner for Chievo: the Juve defence clears. Diego runs on the counter attack, enters the area, passes to Amauri who shoots hitting the post! The 19th minute sees a corner for Juve: ball into the area by Diego with the ball finally reaching Chiellini who tries to cross winning a corner. Two minutes later Diego tries a shot from outside the area with the ball going slightly high over the bar.

On the 24th minute a good ball into the area by Grygera is cleared by the Chievo defence. Two minutes later Amauri is stopped for offside after receiving a great ball. On the 29th minute young Marrone comes on for an excellent Tiago who exits amidst the applauses of all those present. One minute later there is a great exchange between Diego and Amauri but Yepes anticipates. Great defending by Cannavaro.

The 33rd minute sees Diego serving Iaquinta who tries to heel towards Amauri but the defence clears and one minute later Diego tries a long distance shot but the ball is cleared by the defence. On the 35th minute Marrone puts a ball into the area with Yepes clearing with his arm in the area but Juventus are denied the penalty.

On the 41st minute Camoranesi comes on for Diego amongst the chants of the public. During the 3 minutes of stoppage time awarded by the referee Juventus allow too much ball possession to Chievo perhaps even due to fatigue. On the 47th minute Cannavaro brings out the ball with great personality. One minute later Camoranesi puts a ball into the area towards Iaquinta who is off-side. There is no time for anything more and Juventus win their first of 38 finals (quoting Buffon) by 1-0.

Serie A 2009/10 – 1st match day
Turin, Olympic Stadium
Sunday 23rd August, 2009

JUVENTUS-CHIEVO : 1-0

Goals: Iaquinta (12th)

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Salihamidzic (De Ceglie 45th); Tiago (Marrone 74th), Poulsen, Marchisio; Diego (Camoranesi 87th); Iaquinta, Amauri. Reserves: Manninger, Legrottaglie, Molinaro, De Ceglie, Marrone, Camoranesi, Trezeguet. Coach: Ferrara.

CHIEVO VERONA: Sorrentino; Frey, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini (Bentivoglio 65th); Pinzi (De Paula 83rd); Pellissier, Bogdani (Granoche 70th). Reserves: Squizzi, Scardina, Mandelli, Malagò, Bentivoglio, Ariatti, De Paula, Granoche. Coach: Di Carlo.

REFEREE: Gava from Conegliano Veneto

Yellow Cards: Rigoni (11th), Poulsen (13th), Pinzi (13th), Cannavaro (69th), Marrone (75th),