What a pulsating game, so much so that I almost passed out during the game and hence me waiting a day to write about it! There were whispers before the match that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not going to play because of flu type symptoms, and when I saw him in the line up, I was slightly less than happy. But I was also surprised that he was going to be risked since they had a big game against Roma on Saturday, however the big Swede did have to be taken off halfway yet that did nothing to hinder Milan's advances, it actually spurred them on to get the equalizer.
Alessandro Del Piero may have not scored in the League but he maybe he was just reserving the best for the big occasions... and maybe for SOME people ( the pundits on ESPN) this is not a big occasion, but for a team like Juventus, who have been through some terrible times, this is very meaningful, and to beat Milan was the cherry on top. Juve went into the game with a 2-1 lead and Del Piero scored on the 28th minute to ease some pressure, yet this is Milan and they mean business, so it wasn't long before they got the equalizer and put some real pressure on Juve. They had their share of chances, but it took Milan to get goalscoring after Zlatan was taken off. You could see Juve just relax ever so slightly when Ibra wasn't there anymore, they thought they were scot free... they were wrong, as Mesbah scored for Milan making it 1-1 on the night.
The good sign from The Old Lady is that they didn't panic and the kept their shape and above all - they were determined not to squander their lead. Yet even with the brilliant run from Poalo De Ceglie and efforts from Vucinic and Giaccherini they went behind in the 81st minute from a wonder strike from Maxi Lopez, This then left the situation rather unsettling, to say the least!
It had then forced the gut wrecting reality of extra time, Vucinic was the player who was perhaps meant to settle this as he had tried in normal time- even if they were slightly off target. It was Juve back in front, but this was Milan and if the get chances, they will score. But they didn't and by some luck Juve managed to keep the lead and keep all eleven players on the pitch! It ended 4-3 on aggregate and Juventus will either meet Napoli or Siena, whomever it ends up being Juve should try to remember to kill off the game as early as possible and try to keep their heads as Chiellini and Vidal were putting in some wayward tackles and Vucinic almost talked his way into the book when he wouldn't stop arguing with the ref and even Del Piero, the " mild mannered" Captain was starting a battle with fellow veteran, Clarence Seedorf. Also did anyone else notice that the players were taking a tumble a little too often?
Alessandro Del Piero may have not scored in the League but he maybe he was just reserving the best for the big occasions... and maybe for SOME people ( the pundits on ESPN) this is not a big occasion, but for a team like Juventus, who have been through some terrible times, this is very meaningful, and to beat Milan was the cherry on top. Juve went into the game with a 2-1 lead and Del Piero scored on the 28th minute to ease some pressure, yet this is Milan and they mean business, so it wasn't long before they got the equalizer and put some real pressure on Juve. They had their share of chances, but it took Milan to get goalscoring after Zlatan was taken off. You could see Juve just relax ever so slightly when Ibra wasn't there anymore, they thought they were scot free... they were wrong, as Mesbah scored for Milan making it 1-1 on the night.
The good sign from The Old Lady is that they didn't panic and the kept their shape and above all - they were determined not to squander their lead. Yet even with the brilliant run from Poalo De Ceglie and efforts from Vucinic and Giaccherini they went behind in the 81st minute from a wonder strike from Maxi Lopez, This then left the situation rather unsettling, to say the least!
It had then forced the gut wrecting reality of extra time, Vucinic was the player who was perhaps meant to settle this as he had tried in normal time- even if they were slightly off target. It was Juve back in front, but this was Milan and if the get chances, they will score. But they didn't and by some luck Juve managed to keep the lead and keep all eleven players on the pitch! It ended 4-3 on aggregate and Juventus will either meet Napoli or Siena, whomever it ends up being Juve should try to remember to kill off the game as early as possible and try to keep their heads as Chiellini and Vidal were putting in some wayward tackles and Vucinic almost talked his way into the book when he wouldn't stop arguing with the ref and even Del Piero, the " mild mannered" Captain was starting a battle with fellow veteran, Clarence Seedorf. Also did anyone else notice that the players were taking a tumble a little too often?
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