Report Lecce 1 - Juventus 4
Sunday 17th December 2000
Juventus went second in Serie A on goal difference after a comprehensive victory over a Lecce side who were reduced to ten-men after 40 minutes and also had a penalty appeal turned down.
Lecce began the game still reeling from the loss of star striker Cristiano Lucarelli to injury.
Juve coach Carlo Ancelotti had problems of his own but with Alessandro Del Piero injured, the decision to play Filipo Inzaghi from the start proved decisive as he worked effectively in the forward line just behind Trezeguet and Zidane.
Lecce won the corresponding fixture 2-0 last season and they started brightly again on Sunday with Vugrinec and Giorgetti both threatening early on. It was Juve, however, who always looked more likely to score and they took the lead when Inzaghi was able to take advantage of a wonderful assist from Zidane.
Trezeguet then added a second with a great chip on 27 minutes after good work by Pessotto and Davids. The game, however, had been thrown into controversy two minutes earlier when Lecce were denied a penalty.
Conticchio was even warned for diving in the area, though TV replays showed the player was somewhat unlucky, even if he did make a meal of Ferrara's attempted tackle.
Things got worse for Lecce before the break when defender Balleri was sent-off for dissent by Mr Racalbuto, whose unpopularity with the the home fans was increasing by the minute. Furious Lecce officials tried to protest with the referee as his whistle brought a controversial first-half to an end.
Juventus dominated the second-half and created numerous chances. Two minutes after the break they almost scored through Paramatti but his close-range header was well saved by Antonio Chimenti. In the 51st minute Antonio Conte freed himself on the edge of Lecce's box and fired in a good shot, but Chimenti denied the former Lecce player.
Inzaghi was next to try his luck. He made a 40-yard solo run and rounded the keeper only to see Savino clear the ball on the goal line. Moments later Trezeguet went close with a close range header, and then Tacchinardi was just wide with a long-range shot.
Ten-man Lecce were clearly struggling to hold Juventus, but they stunned the visitors with a rare counter-attack after 70 minutes which ended with Giogetti volleying home their lifeline.
Davids, Conte and Trezeguet then all went close for Juve but Lecce remained in the game until the last few minutes. It was then, however, they were punished for naturally pushing forward for the equaliser.
Substitutes Kovacevic and Zambrotta both took advantage of the wide-open spaces to sink brave Lecce with goals in the last five minutes. Kovacevic's finish came after a 40-yard solo run.
Lecce: Chimenti, Juarez, Viali, Savino, Balleri, Giorgetti, Conticchio, Piangerelli, Tonetto (80 Konan), Bedin (46 Malusci), Vugrinec (60 Osorio).
Juventus: Van Der Saar, Paramatti, Ferrara, Tudor, Pessotto, Conte, Tacchinardi, Davids (88 Bachini), Zidane, Inzaghi (83 Zambrotta), Trezeguet (80 Kovacevic).
Booked: Conticchio 24, Tudor 48, Davids 73, Tonetto 75
Sent-off: Balleri 40
Referee: Racalbuto( Gallarate).
