Report: Bari 0 - Juventus 1
Sunday 18th February 2001
Juventus remain hot in the heels of Serie A leaders Roma but had to wait 81
minutes until Alessandro Del Piero's glorious winner ended the resistance of
a brave Bari side.
Del Piero's vital contribution came just 19 minutes after replacing Darko
Kovacevic, but it was no less than Carlo Ancelotti's side deserved after
dominating events at the San Nicola.
The Italy forward chipped the ball over the onrushing Jean Francois Gillet
in the Bari goal after skipping past three defenders and turning Rachid
Neqrouz inside out. It was Del Piero's first game since his father died of
cancer last week - and it was dedicated to his memory, as well as all the
supporters who had expressed their condolences.
The emotion of the occaison perhaps made Del Piero's efforts all the more
remarkable, as this was the first time since tearing knee ligaments two
years ago that he's shown anything like the form he is capable of at the top
level.
For their part, Bari deserve some credit, though they were content to soak
up the Juve pressure and attack on the break. Paulo Poggi almost gave them a
shock lead, but his first effort grazed the crossbar. Edwin van der Sar was
up to the second chance.
Gillet was called into action when Filippo Inzaghi had three chances, while
Alessio Tacchinardi also went close. Kovacevic looked ring-rusty in his
comeback game following an injury lay-off.
The second half was looking as though it was heading for a draw as chances
were at a premium - but suddenly news filtered through from Rome that Fabio
Capello's table-toppers had taken the lead.
Del Piero made sure he had the final word.
Bari: Gillet, De Rosa (Osmanowski 63), Innocenti (Sibilano 75), Neqrouz,
Mazzarelli, Said, Andersson, Marcolini, Bellavista, Poggi, Cassano (Madsen
72)
Juventus; Van der Sar, Ferrara, Birindelli, Montero, Pessotto, Zambrotta
(Brighi 46, Fonseca 78), Davids, Tacchinardi, Zidane, F.Inzaghi, Kovacevic
(Del Piero 62).
Booked: De Rosa, Neqrouz (Bari); Tacchinardi (Juventus)
