Serie A Week 32 - 15-4-12 (8:45 p.m.)
- Olimpico Stadium — Rome
Referee: Antonio Giannoccaro
HT 0-2: Vidal gives Juve lead
Apr 15, 2012
An early penalty and a neat chipped finish from Arturo Vidal has given Juventus a 2-0 half-time lead over Lazio.
Antonio Conte put his faith in Mirko Vucinic to lead the line for the Bianconeri, as they looked for the three points that could take them 11 points clear at the top of Serie A. Claudio Marchisio was also in unfamiliar surroundings with a seemingly more attacking role, whilst Federico Peluso came in for the injured Giorgio Chiellini.
The capital club meanwhile welcomed back Miroslav Klose to the starting XI after the Germany international missed their Europa League loss to Fenerbahce, with the home side hoping for the victory that could keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Those European ambitions looked to be on track early on, as the Aguile made an impressive start to the match. Andrea Candreva and Hernanes were causing problems in between the lines, with the Brazilian forcing Gianluigi Buffon into a smart save.
It didn’t last long though, as after just eight minutes, the Old Lady were awarded a penalty when Lorik Cana brought down Marchisio. Vidal stepped up and struck sweetly past Federico Marchetti for the opening goal.
The Turin giants grew from that point – with six midifelders on the pitch, they were keeping the ball with ease, and created a number of opportunities thanks to neat interplay in the middle of the park and the bombastic runs of Stephan Lichtsteiner. A mixture of poor finishing a good defending though, ensured that the lead wasn’t doubled.
Vladimir Petkovic’s men weren’t disheartened and went close on two occasions from corner kicks. But midway through the half, the Bianconeri showed their class and got themselves a second. Michael Ciani got in a tangle inside his own area, and Vidal was there to capitalize and lift a shot over Marchetti from just eight yards out for a comfortable lead going into the break.
Lazio 0-2 Juventus
Scorers: Vidal pen 8, 27 (J)
Lazio: Marchetti; Gonzalez, Ciani, Cana, Stankevicius; Ledesma, Onazi, Hernanes; Candreva, Mauri; Klose
Juventus: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Peluso; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah, Marchisio; Vucinic
http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/