play pause open close
 
Played
August 26, 2010 7:45 PM BST
Stadio Olimpico - Torino
Referee:‬ Collum (Scozia)‎
 
Top of the Match
?
To Be Announced Shortly
Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero
Juventus
Flop of the Match
?
To Be Announced Shortly
Simone Pepe
Simone Pepe
Juventus

Juventus 1-0 Sturm Graz (3-1 Agg.): Del Piero Strike Seals Bianconeri's Passage To Group Stage

Bianconeri captain sends La Vecchia Signora into the Europa League group stage...

By David Schiavone

Alessandro Del Piero - Juventus (Getty Images)
Juventus are through to the Europa League group stage after a narrow 1-0 win over Sturm Graz in Turin and they had captain Alessandro Del Piero to thank as his magnificent effort was the difference ensuring the Italians went through 3-1 on aggregate.

Sturm Graz knew they needed to score to give them a fighting chance in the tie, and their intention from the off was to attack. The visitors put Juventus under pressure right away creating a number of opportunities but the centre-back pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci held up well.

Juve however were not content to sit and soak up Graz pressure, but instead took control of the game and exploited any space Graz were leaving in behind them. Simone Pepe was constantly finding himself in promising positions but his delivery was somewhat lacking.

Graz were not willing to lay down and surrender to the Turin giants, and were intent on showcasing their own attacking talent with Imre Szabics having the Austrians' best chance when he broke free of Chiellini but could only strike the post.

This was a warning to the home side and not to be outdone they themselves hit the post through captain Alessandro Del Piero, who was exerting a considerable influence on the match. But no-one could make the breakthrough and both teams went in at the break level.

With Graz showing tremendous spirit in their attempts to work a way into the match, Juventus entered the second half  the stronger side.

It wasn't long before the Bianconeri took the lead and it was Del Piero who scored. He controlled the ball on the left, beat his marker then curled a shot into the far corner from the angle of the 18 yard box.

By now it was all Juventus, chance after chance was presented to Pepe, Bonucci and an impressive Jorge Martinez, but none were taken and the Bianconeri saw out the match to guarantee themselves a spot in the group stage

Juventus will kick off their Serie A campaign away to Bari , while Sturm Graz will be looking to bounce back against Wiener Neustadt on Sunday in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Follow Goal.com on . Get the latest football news direct... Check out Goal.com's  page; be part of the best football fan community in the world!

Juventus

30
Marco Storari
Goalkeeper
36′
6.0
-
Marco Motta
Defender
80′
5.5
19
6.0
3
6.5
29
Paolo De Ceglie
Defender
6.0
7
Simone Pepe
Midfielder
6.0
10
Felipe Melo
Midfielder
85′
7.0
23
6.5
55
6.5
10
7.5
11
Amauri
Striker
30′ 43′
6.5

Sturm Graz

7.0
1
Christian Gratzei
Goalkeeper
5.0
18
5.5
13
6.0
4
6.0
4
5.5
17
6.0
6
Manuel Weber
Midfielder
5.5
-
Mario Kienzl
Midfielder
6.0
9
Haris Bukva
Midfielder
71′
6.0
24
Roman Kienast
Striker
6.5
11
Imre Szabics
Striker
61′

Substitutes

13
-
26
Zdenek Grygera
Defender
-
6
-
-
Filippo Boniperti
Midfielder
-
64
Marcel Büchel
Midfielder
-
6
Manuel Giandonato
Midfielder
85′
6.0
7
6.0

Substitutes

-
22
Silvije Cavlina
Goalkeeper
-
5
-
10
Samir Muratovic
Midfielder
-
29
Sandro Foda
Midfielder
5.5
14
Florian Kainz
Midfielder
62′
5.5
27
Christian Klem
Midfielder
71′
5.5
7
Mario Haas
Striker
61′

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
102 Comments
Advertisement
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Joseph Akpala Joseph Akpala
Striker
Club Brugge KV
7 0
Matias Suarez Matias Suarez
Striker
Anderlecht
7 0
Dmitri Sytchev Dmitri Sytchev
Striker
Lokomotiv
6 3
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker
Schalke
6 2
Miroslav Radovic Miroslav Radovic
Midfielder
Legia
6 0
Advertisement