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Juventus A 4-1 Juventus B: Another Beautiful Day at Villar Perosa

August 11, 2011

by Marco Pantanella

August 11, 2011

When Juventus come to town in Villa Perosa, it always creates a huge buzz. Street vendors selling all types of Bianconeri merchandise crop up, a unique and great atmosphere. Particularly with the small intimate pitch, with many echoes to the scenes replayed across the country during the club’s season in Serie B. Watching men like Andrea Agnelli take up touchline seats like a proud parent at a local park is rare and highly enjoyable. Villar Perosa gives small-town fun to a big-time team.

 
Borrowing on the words of Adam’s excellent introductory article, Villar Perosa’s ‘Family Match’ between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams of Juventus was great family spectacle today. As predictions expected, the Seniors prevailed over the Primavera with a score of 4-1 (goals by Pasquato, Iaquinta, Motta, and Ziegler for the Prima Squadra, Beltrame for the youngsters) but in truth, it is about much more than the final result today.

Below as usual, the play-by-play I wrote down while watching the game. Tune in later today for a more in-depth analysis.
 

 
 

16:55 Marotta and Agnelli obviously present on the sidelines, alongside many of the players’ families it seems.
16:58 John Elkann is wearing the pink shirt given to him by Capitan Del Piero. It suits him.
16:59 Juventus A ‘Senior Team’ in traditional Black & White, Juventus B ‘Primavera’ in Pink.
17:02 And we’re off!!

 

1st Half:
Storari
Motta, Bonucci, Barzagli, De Ceglie
Pazienza, Marrone
Ruggiero, Vucinic, Del Piero, Pasquato

 

1′ First highlight: De Ceglie gets fouled close to the corner flag. FK Del Piero. Warms up Branescu who punches away.
3′ ADP tries to vertically set up Vucinic, too deep, Branescu rushes out to get it.
5′ Another lovely exchange between Vuci & ADP! This time it’s Mirko’s pass that’s too heavy. Great chipped aerial ball by Vuci though.
6′ Now it’s time for Storari to step up, saves on Pol Garcia and controls the sphere.
7′ Sideline report: praises by Conte for Bonucci and Ruggiero, he had asked Bonucci to rapidly launch the counter and Leo promptly obliged
8′ Vucinic tries to penetrate on the right flank, he gets contained by the ‘B’ left-back, commits a foul. FK in defense for Juve B.
11′ Ruggiero with a good counter opportunity, slows down, picks up pace again, but Juve B’s left-back once contains well.
13′ Excellent Pirlo-esque left-foot long ball by Marrone, finds Ruggiero on the right wing. Juve B immediately retrieve the ball though.
15′ FK Juventus A in ‘Zona Del Piero’. His kick is a little too wide and over.
16′ Vucinic gets rid of Rubin on the left-hand side, swings a cross to find Del Piero but it gets intercepted
17′ CK Juve A, Pasquato short for ADP, cross, deflected, cross again by Pasquato, finds Barzagli inside the box! Heavy touch and cleared by the ‘Pink’ defense however.
18′ Libertazzi a bit careless with the elbow, hits Bonucci on an aerial ball. Play stopped. Leo walks off the field rather groggy.
20′ De Ceglie tries to find some space on the left. Well double-teamed by Pink defenders.
20′ Commentator just mentioned Arturo Vidal, who played his first post-holiday match yesterday with his national team against France (apparently he played… central defense??). Today he has officially rejoined his new teammates, and there is eager anticipation to see his first game in Bianconero.
21′ Great penetrating ball from ADP to Mirko, one-touch control on the left and instantanous shot. Branescu makes his first real save of the game!
22′ Sideline report: Conte’s asking ADP/Vucinic to provoke players one-on-one when they receive the ball, as well as his entire “forward” line to heavily press opposing defenders when Juventus A don’t have possession
24′ Carfora long cross from the right for Spinazzola, off the outside of the net. Then Lanini tries his chance from long-range wide. These kids certainly aren’t pushovers!
26′ Another good ball for Lanini on the right, this time however De ceglie neutralizes.
27′ MIRKO SHOW! Lovely trickery to clear the defenders and pentrate into the box! It’s a one-on-one, but Vucinic’s finish leaves a lot to be desired: he gets cocky and tries to chip Branescu… too central and too weak.
29′ GOAL JUVENTUS A!! 1-0. Cristian Pasquato!! Lovely counter-attack from right to center: ADP to Mirko back to ADP. Two-on-two, ADP finds a corridor for Pasquato, whose one-time instep just inside the box finds the bottom-right corner of the net.
31′ FK Juve B, Schiavone with a good opportunity. Deflected off the wall and into CK. Cleared by the defense.
32′ Commentator mentioning now Del Piero’s website update this morning, and his statement of the importance of this match for him.
34′ Vucinic penetrates in the middle, attempts another chip over Branescu. Too high and over the bar.
35′ Vucinic yet again with a great run, leaves to ADP, literally surrounded by defenders, backpass towards Pazienza, one-time effort, deflected over.
36′ Short CK for Motta, immediate cross that finds Marrone unmarked on the far post!! His left-foot effort from an excellent position is balloned over! What a shame!
37′ Pasquato to receive a great long ball and attempts a chested backpass to Vuci. Intercepted.
38′ Juve B on the counter: Spinazzola for Garcia on the left, his cross is way too long.
39′ Yet another long pass by Marrone, this time towards Pasquato on the left. He’s certainly trying to fill Pirlo’s shoes here, and not doing too badly I might add.
40′ After a great phase of Vucinic-ball-possession, Pazienza tries to scoop it for ADP, defender gets it clear.
41′ ADP corner-kick from the right, finds Bonucci! Header over and wide.
41′ Marchisio, Matri, Iaquinta beginning their sideline warm-up.
42′ Pasquato with a great play! First he shoulders the ball off a Pink defender, then executes some trickery to find space for the cross. Just an inch too high for ADP! Cleared by the defense, CK.
43′ CK straight to Vucinic, central position 20 yards out. He attemps a volley!! So close but over the bar!! Mirko wants a corner but no dice from the referee.
45′ ADP with a good opportunity in the center, can slide either to Mirko or to an overlapping Pasquato. Does neither and out of options, attempts to chip Branescu. Easy pickings for the Romanian goalkeeper.

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Half-time impressions:

  • Great play by Juventus A to set up the only goal of the game so far, and cool finish by Pasquato (yet another for him).
  • Mirko-ADP looking very lively out there. It’s a display-of-technique competition, and they both got it by the boatload. Right now Vucinic standing out a bit more on account of his higher mobility.
  • Juventus B ‘Primavera’ keeping the Seniors busy. Identifying the better team is still obvious, yet the youngsters certainly putting on a good show.

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2nd Half:
Manninger
Motta, Bonucci(61′Grygera), Barzagli, De Ceglie(75′Liviero)
Pazienza(75′Gab.Appelt), Giandonato (87′Vidal)
Vucinic(62′Lichtsteiner), Iaquinta, Matri, Pasquato(69′Ziegler)

 

• Touching half-time report by Sky Sport Italia on the history of Villar Perosa, one which Adam would have enjoyed I’m sure.
• Matri-Iaquinta coming on this second period, on for Ruggiero and Del Piero. Giandonato & Manninger also on for Marrone & Storari. Beltrame on for Juventus B, among many others.
46′ Vucinic now occupying the right wing position.
48′ GOAL JUVENTUS B! 1-1. Stefano Beltrame exploits a good right wing delivery from Spinazzola, heads the ball below Manninger’s arms.
50′ Iaquinta immediately looking to retake the lead for his team, mid-range effort deflected by the defense. Now he gets called offside.
52′ Pasquato tries to find Iaquinta, leaves it for Motta, immediate cross for Matri completely unmarked at the second post!! Powerful header deflected over the bar by Branescu!! But Matri was offside.
53′ Motta finds Iaquinta inside the box, Vincenzo turns around and attempts a… shot(?) from a very tight angle, wide. Looking rather bulky there…
54′ Commentator: last time the Primavera beat the Senior team at Villar Perosa was in 2005.
56′ Another great long ball to find Iaquinta inside the box. He lets it bounce and attemps a difficult half-volley. Central and no danger for Branescu.
56′ Well at least Vincenzone is making the right runs. If only he could start shooting better..
57′ Beltrame now with a great ball for Libertazzi!! Through on goal, attempts to chip Manninger, offside flag goes up.
58′ Keyser Giorgio and Meeeelosh now getting ready on the touchline.
58′ Vucinic finds space for Matri on the right, cross intercepted, good fake to retrieve the ball and cross it again, defense clears.
59′ Pazienza with a GREAT ball to find Matri slightly on the right. Even GREATER control by the ex-Cagliari forward to chest the ball and set himself up for a half-volley. Powerful effort, Branescu eventually neutralizes it.
60′ Quags and Pepe shown on the sideline in civilian clothes. Obviously won’t be taking part today.
61′ Vucinic on the right tries to get by Pol Garcia, fouls him in the process. Garcia even loses his shoe. :)
62′ That’s all for Mirko today. On comes Grygera, and Conte seemingly willing to continue the Zdenek right-wing experiment.
64′ Iaquinta with a great play at last! Shields the ball in midfield, turns around and storms off on the right wing, then almost finds a great through ball for Matri. Intercepted just in time by the defense.
65′ On the ensuing play, Grygera somehow finds himself with a looping ball right in front of the keeper! His instep effort is horrendous, Grygera probably thinking he was offside. Yet the flag had stayed down…
65′ Now Branescu coming off for Juventus B, under the applause of the public. He gets replaced by Di Salvia (18 years old).
67′ Matri with good pace to find himself in a good position, yet inexplicably switches it completely towards Pasquato.
68′ Now Simunac long-range effort wide of the mark for Juventus B.
69′ Time for Guillhermo Appelt to make an appearance in Juventus B. Ziegler and Lichtsteiner coming on for Juve A (replacing Bonucci & Pasquato).
69′ Conte reshuffling his troops a bit: Grygera back in center defense, Ziegler left-back, Lichsteiner right wing.
70′ John Elkann sideline interview: he’s wearing #21 in honor of Pirlo. Some questions about Juventus’s legal battles on Calciopoli and Moratti’s declarations. He gives the ‘expected’ answers. This guy might have family blood, but an Agnelli he’s not. The difference in physical presence and mental acuity between him and Andrea is staggering to me. Ugh.
73′ GOAL JUVENTUS A! 2-1. Vincenzo Iaquinta with a… GREAT goal! Gets the ball on the left wing, moves towards the center and slams a powerful mid-range shot into the bottom-right corner. That’s more like it, Vincenzone!!
74′ Meanwhile more changes for Juventus A: Liviero and Gabriel Appelt, both on for the Senior team! Out De Ceglie & Pazienza. So it’s an Appelt vs. Appelt battle for the last 15 minutes!
75′ And now Iaquinta obtains a very good free-kick on the edge of the 18-yard box.
76′ Giandonato over the ball, but Ziegler arrives from behind with a powerful effort! Low and accurate, but neutralized by keeper Di Salvia.
• [AND MY INTERNET'S GONE. 10 minutes wasted and TWO GOALS missed! UGH!!]
• [Trying to reconstruct the goals post-match from Tuttosport.com]
82′ GOAL JUVENTUS A! 3-1. It’s… huh? Marco Motta? For realz? Apparently a tap-in following pinball deflections after a free-kick.
85′ GOAL JUVENTUS A! 4-1. Reto Ziegler. Off a free-kick, under the jumping wall apparently.
• [INTERNET's BACK]
86′ Vidal has just come on for Giandonato (cheers & applause for him). Touching his first ball in Juventus colours. He’s wearing #11 today.
87′ Emmanuello with a 25-yard FK, deflected over the bar by the wall.
88′ Juventus tifosi amassing on the touchline, getting ready for the traditional storming-of-the-pitch.
89′ Beltrame effort from just outside the box deflected into corner. Liviero clears it on the ensuing play.
90′ Full-time whistle and the fans storm the field!! Wow… all in good fun, but slightly scary for a moment. Apparently it’s customary.
90′ Conte and all Juventus players surrounded by fans demanding autographs and photographs. Now some tifosi want to rip Iaquinta’s shirt off him LOL.
90′ And so, for the 2011 edition of the Villar Perosa ‘Family Match’, Juventus A ‘Senior Team’ beats Juventus B ‘Primavera’ on a score of 4-1.

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Full-time impressions:

  • A good show at Villar Perosa today, all in the spirit of this game. Even the final on-field rush by the Juventus fans was well-received by the players, happy and no doubt forewarned that this was gonna happen :)
  • In the 1st half, Mirko-ADP were the main highlight, as well as Pasquato continuing to impress me game after game.
  • The 2nd half saw a big reshuffling of players and a lot less fine-tuned movements by Juventus A. Yet it was great to see Iaquinta back on the scoring charts, albeit in a friendly. Jury’s still out whether Vincenzone will remain in Turin this season, though Juve are certainly looking for a buyer.
  • Unfortunately I missed Motta and Ziegler’s goals due to my internet cutting out. I’m sure they were splendid. Could Motta’s beat Zebina’s vs. Fulham though? Impossible!!

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Tune in later for a more detailed report and further thoughts.
 
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Juventus F.C.
JUVENTUS A-JUVENTUS B
4-1
[Match Highlights]
Juventus F.C.
GOALSCORERS: 29’ Pasquato (A), 49′ Beltrame (B), 74′ Iaquinta (A), 82′ Motta (A), 85′ Ziegler (A).
JUVENTUS A (4-2-4): Storari (46′ Manninger) – Motta, Bonucci (69′ Ziegler), Barzagli, De Ceglie (75′ Liviero) – Marrone (46′ Giandonato, 87′ Vidal), Pazienza (75′ Appelt Gabriel) – Ruggiero (46′ Iaquinta), Del Piero (46′ Matri), Vucinic (61′ Grygera), Pasquato (59′ Lichtsteiner). COACH: Conte. (UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Buffon, Chiellini, Marchisio, Pirlo, Krasic)
(UNAVAILABLE due to injury: Pepe, Martinez, Quagliarella, Toni)
(REMAINED IN TURIN: Grosso, Ekdal, Almirón, Amauri)
JUVENTUS B (4-4-2):Branescu (65′ Di Salvia) – Carfora (81′ Bertinetti), Rubin (46′ Napoli), Di Dio, Pol Garcia – Lanini (46′ Beltrame ), Schiavone (46′ Cisbah), Corticchia, (46′ Emmanuello), Spinazzola (69′ Appelt Guillermo) – Margiotta (60′ Simunac), Libertazzi (75′ Esposito) COACH: Marco Baroni. (UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Penna, Ponsat)

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