Juventus 2 - 0 Bari
Kovacevic 3', Zidane 90'
Sunday 15 Oct 2000, kick-off 3:00PM CET
Despite a pitch heavy with rain, with little sign that it was going to cease, Zidane's creativity behind the forward pairing of David Trezeguet and Darko Kovacevic proved to be the biggest threat to the visitors.
In fact Juve�s number 21 had a large part in the opening goal and scored the final one in injury time, when it was already clear that Juve were sure of the points.
It was clear that the Frenchman was on his mettle from the opening minute, when he put an exquisite ball through to his international team-mate Trezeguet, but he was flagged off-side. A close call, but probably the right one.
But this was just a prelude to the goal, which arrived punctually a minute later (in the third minute). Edgar Davids found Zizou in space out on the left, and Kovacevic converted from the resulting cross, with Bari keeper Generoso Rossi given little chance.
With an early goal, the Bianconeri took the game by the scruff of the neck, dictating the pace and going close to doubling their lead in the 13th minute. Antonio Conte's cross found Zizou free once again on the left flank, but his shot was deflected out for a corner by Duccio Innocenti.
But with a shining talent like Antonio Cassano on display it was only a question of time before Bari would get a sight of goal. In the 20th minute, only a timely intervention from Edwin Van der Sar prevented the 18-year-old from pulling the scores level. It was the Under-21 international who found an opening for Bari's only other chance of the half, but the Dutch keeper was able to push the ball away.
In the second half, with the pitch becoming increasingly waterlogged, and the ball being held up with every kick, there was little to enthuse the fans.
Zizou renewed hostilities with a free-kick in the 47th minute that was punched out by the keeper. But the classy Frenchman was not the only good thing about Juve. Both of the midfield pairing, Antonio Conte and Edgar Davids, appeared much more on their game than they have done so far this season.
The Bianconero had in the first half suffered few inconveniences, aside from the couple of chances Cassano was able to fashion for himself. In the second 45, the defence was altered slightly, with Igor Tudor coming on for Jonathan Bachini and Alessandro Birindelli pushed up into midfield (58th minute).
With the minutes ticking away and Juve still with only a one goal lead, Bari lifted their game and came forward with Gionatha Spinesi, who broke into the area only to be confronted with the massive figure of Van der Sar, who made things difficult for the forward. In the end Tudor was able to clear (75th minute).
But the biggest danger came from a thunderous shot from a free-kick struck by Innocenti, which left Van der Sar stranded, rattling the top of the crossbar as it flew.
The Bianconeri reacted positively through Conte, first of all, whose shot was saved by Rossi, and then a Davids free-kick. The Dutchman also had a couple of incisive runs al though they both came to nothing thanks in no small part to the sodden pitch.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 92nd minute when Juve captain Antonio Conte was brought down in the box. Zizou stepped up, and there was never any doubt how it would finish. 2-0, and Juve lead Serie A with six points. They are now the only team with two wins out of two under their belts.
Yellow Cards:
Juventus - Ferrara 14', Birindelli 28', Trezeguet 68'
Bari - Neqrouz 19', Andersson 53', De Rosa 87
Juventus (3-4-1-2): Van der Sar; Birindelli, Ferrara, Iuliano; Bachini (Tudor), Conte, Davids, Pessotto; Zidane; Kovacevic, Trezeguet (Tacchinardi)
Subs - Rampulla, Tudor, Zanchi, Tacchinardi, Brighi, Fonseca, Esnaider.
Bari (4-4-2): Rossi; De Rosa; Innocenti, Neqrouz (Valdes), Mazzarelli; Collauto (Madsen), Andersson, Perrotta (Spinesi), Bellavista; Osmanowski, Cassano
Subs - Gillet, Del Grosso, La Fortezza, Said, Madsen, Valdes, Spinesi
Referee: Cesari
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