Cagliari 2-0 Juventus: Nene & Alessandro Matri Pile The Pressure On Ciro Ferrara

The Old Lady's problems continue...

Nov 29, 2009 3:50:34 PM

More On :  Cagliari, Juventus, Cagliari vs Juventus
Nenè - Cagliari-Juventus - Serie A (Getty Images)

Juventus recent struggles continued as they were defeated 2-0 in Serie A by Cagliari in Sardinia.
Don't Miss

A first half wonder goal by Nene, and a late breakaway second by substitute Alessandro Matri did the damage as the Bianconeri produced their second dismal performance in the space of a week.

Juventus desperately needed a win in this game, but they were without the injured David Trezeguet, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Fabio Grosso. Amauri was passed fit to play in attack, but Alessandro Del Piero was dropped to the bench. Claudio Marchisio returned after a lay-off.

Cagliari were minus injured defenders Lino Marzoratti and Michele Canini as they hoped to return to winning ways. Star man Andrea Cossu returned from suspension.

The home side were the first to threaten as Jeda crossed from the right and Andrea Lazzari couldn't get enough on his header, before Nene nodded over.

Juventus' play was disjointed, and they had another let-off on 18 minutes as Gianluigi Buffon flew to his right to push out a free kick from Daniele Conti.

The son of 1982 World Cup winning legend Bruno Conti went even closer a few minutes later with a ferocious 25-yard half volley that fizzed just wide.

A Cagliari goal was coming and it arrived in stunning fashion on the half-hour mark through Nene. The Brazilian fired an incredible, swerving, dipping 35-yard thunderbolt from way out on the right that broke the top corner of the net.

Juventus' first dangerous effort of the game did not arrive until 35 minutes as Marchisio cut in from the left and curled over.

Diego also fired well wide as Juventus trailed 1-0 at the break after a very poor first half display.


Amauri thought he had equalised

Into the second half and Juventus thought they had equalised straight away as Amauri headed home, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.

Cagliari then asked for a penalty when Martin Caceres handled in the box, the referee deemed it ball to hand.

Juventus threw on Del Piero for the last half hour as they desperately tried to salvage something from the game.

Only a last-gasp Caceres tackle on Cagliari substitute Alessandro Matri, though, prevented a second home goal. The latter also headed wide when well placed.

Juventus were struggling, but they were denied a clear penalty on 70 minutes as Francesco Pisano pushed Amauri in the box as he looked set to head home. Amauri was furious and was booked for protesting.

The away side piled on the pressure in the closing stages, and Cristian Molinaro saw a volley blocked while Marchetti came to the rescue from a Del Piero free kick. The goalkeeper also twice saved low from Diego.

With Juve pushing forward, Cagliari hit them on the break with two minutes remaining to close the game. Matri beat Cannavaro in a one-on-one before sliding the ball past Buffon.

Del Piero and Diego missed injury time sitters for Juve, but this was a dreadful performance from the visitors.

This result means that Juventus fall further behind Inter, while Cagliari continue their fine season.

Anthony Sormani, Goal.com
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
159 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Capello remains one of the greats of the game Capello remains one of the greats of the game

    After tasting success wherever he had gone previously, the coach will look upon his time at Wembley as an incomplete job rather than a complete failure

  2. Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback? Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback?

    The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra

  3. Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool

    The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions

  4. The importance of Champions League qualification The importance of Champions League qualification

    The Ruhr side's remarkable run in Europe's elite tournament saw their revenue unexpectedly soar last season, but some teams are structured to depend on such results to survive

  5. Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round

    Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...

 
Advertisement
Advertisement