Juventus 1 - 1 Lecce
Igor Tudor 40' (J), Alessandro Conticchio 41' (L)
Sunday 29 Apr 2001
Two home points dropped against Lecce. Juventus, in front through Tudor, are then pegged back a minute later by Conticchio's equalizer. Despite the tireless efforts of Zidane ,who directs all of the Juve play, Ancelotti's team is not able to find the winning goal. Inzaghi misses a penalty and hits a post in the closing moments.
Juve are forced into last minute changes due to Zambrotta's unexpected absence, hit by the same bug as Inzaghi (on the bench). Ancelotti chooses Athirson who goes straight into the starting line-up. The Brasilian takes Pessotto's place on the left side of midfield with the Italian international switching to the right side of a three man midfield alongside Davids, vociferously supported by the fans, and the Captain Antonio Conte, playing instead of the banned Tacchinardi. Trezeguet and Kovacevic form the attack.
Juventus start in determined fashion and dominate the early exchanges with Lecce content to try and take advantage of the gaps left by Ancelotti's team. The first chance comes in the second minute when, from David's free-kick Iuliano heads just wide of the post. Shortly afterwards Vugrinec, Lecce's Croatian international, trys his luck from a free-kick but his attempt narrowly misses and this proves to be his team's only real attempt on goal in the first twenty minutes.
Juve go back on the attack through Kovacevic who threatens the away team's goal with two headers as does the returning captain Conte who strikes the outside of a post with his attempt following a fine cross from Athirson, clearly revelling in his favourite left-sided role.
On the twenty minute mark Zidane spots Chimenti off his line and tries to surprise him with a shot from distance but the Lecce custodian is ready for the attempt and makes the save. For the away team Osorio tries to copy the Frenchman, benefiting from a poor clearance by Montero who immediately apologizes for his mistake, but his effort is also off-target. Following a pass from his compatriot Zidane, Trezeguet forces Chimenti into a fine save. From Athirson's resulting corner Iuliano misses another chance but a goal seems to be on the cards. After forty minutes Tudor, benefiting from Zidane's vision, heads for goal but his attempt is blocked by the Lecce defence. From the resulting clearance, however, Tudor manages to gain possession once again and puts Juventus into a lead which barely lasts a minute. For Lecce Colonello escapes down the right-hand side and crosses for Conticchio who beats Van der Sar with a diving header (1-1). There follow efforts by Zidane, Trezeguet, Pessotto and Davids but the ball just won't cross the goal-line.
The second half starts with Brighi taking the place of Athirson, injured during the course of the first half. Pessotto switches back to the left side, with Brighi slotting in alongside Conte and Davids in the centre of midfield. Zidane signals his intentions with two shots on goal but without luck. After eight minutes Ancelotti changes his team's attack, replacing Kovacevic with Inzaghi who immediately shoots over when presented with a good chance. Juve even have to do without Davids who comes off worse in a strong challenge and is replaced by Birindelli. With Zidane showing no signs of tiredness, Juve go back on the attack and after forty minutes the referee awards a penalty to the home team following a foul on Trezeguet. Inzaghi takes the kick but hits the post with his attempt. During the final assault on Lecce's goal even Van der Sar moves upfield in the hope of getting his head to the ball. In injury time Inzaghi has two more good chances but his first attempt is cleared off the goal line and his second hits the post. It is just not Juve's day.
Yellow Cards:
Juventus - Iuliano 48', Tudor 78'
Lecce - Conticchio 44', Colonnello 63'
Juventus (4-3-1-2): Van der Sar; Tudor, Montero, Iuliano, Athirson (1� 2nd half. Brighi); Pessotto, Conte, Davids (29� 2nd half Birindelli); Zidane; Trezeguet, Kovacevic (8� 2nd half Inzaghi)
Subs - Carini, Paramatti, Birindelli, Ferrara, Brighi, Inzaghi, Fonseca
Lecce (3-5-2): Chimenti; Dainelli, Malusci, Savino (10� 2nd half Juarez); Vasari, Piangerelli, Conticchio, Ingesson, Colonnello; Vugrinec (32� 2nd half Giorgetti), Osorio (43� Pivotto)
Subs - Manitta, Juarez, Pellicori, Mateo, Fissore, Giorgetti, Pivotto
Referee: Pellegrino
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