Zaragoza vs Juventus : 2-1

Friendly: Juve lose Real test
Friday 7 September, 2007

Juventus fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of La Liga side Real Zaragoza at La Romareda in an entertaining Friday night friendly.

The match was held to mark the Blanquillos’ 75th anniversary, but was played in a competitive spirit and at a fast pace.

The hosts could have taken the lead after just six minutes through Sergio Garcia, but French stopper Jean-Alain Boumsong closed him down.

The Bianconeri’s first chance came after 13 minutes when Vincenzo Iaquinta fed Ruben Olivera, but he panicked and shot wide.

It was a poor piece of goalkeeping that caused the opening goal as a weak Diego Milito strike squirmed past Juve ‘keeper Emanuele Belardi.

Worryingly, young star Antonio Nocerino limped off early after receiving a blow to his ankle and Sergio Almiron took his place.

It was Almiron’s free-kick that led to the equaliser as his delivery was met by Iaquinta and steered past Lopez Valleyo.

Zaragoza were nearly ahead again on 39 minutes as Gabi rolled the ball across the box and only a last minute intervention by the impressive Boumsong prevented Milito beating Belardi.

The Spaniards’ did go 2-1 up courtesy of a counter-attack on the stroke of half-time as Sergio Garcia burst clear and picked out Milito to slot home for his brace.

Boumsong limped off and was replaced by Lorenzo Ariaudo and the stream of substitutions came on both sides.

The ryththm of the game was lost and one of few chances in the second period saw Iaquinta spurn a chance from an Olivera assist.

It ended 2-1 and Claudio Ranieri will come away satisfied, but must hope that injuries to Boumsong and Nocerino aren’t serious.


Real Zaragoza 2-1 Juventus
Scorers: D Milito 18, 43 (Z), Iaquinta 34 (J)

Real Zaragoza: Lopez Valleyo (Miguel 72); Ayala (Sergio 45), Diogo (Chus Herrero 59), Juanfran (Oscar 72), Pavon; Luccin, Aimar (Oliveira 45), Gabi (Celades 59), Generelo; Sergio Garcia (Cuartero 62), D Milito (D'Alessandro 45

Juventus: Belardi; Birindelli, Boumsong (Ariaudo 44), Legrottaglie, Molinaro; Zanetti, Nocerino (Almiron 69), Nedved (Dante 76); Iaquinta (Castiglia 76), Palladino (Esposito 45), Olivera (Rink De Camargo 63)

Ref: Cros (ESP)