Print

Mail

wiki links

Napoli peg back Juventus to end their winning run

Napoli's Mariano Bogliacino celebrates after scoring against Juventus during their Italian Serie B match at the San Paolo stadium in Naples on Monday. PHOTO: AFP

Juventus was held to a 1-1 draw by Napoli in Italy's Serie B on Monday, keeping it three points behind league leader Genoa.

Alessandro Del Piero put Juventus ahead in the 67th minute with a curling free kick from the edge of the penalty area. Napoli midfielder Mariano Bogliacino volleyed an equalizer six minutes later.

Juventus improved to 17 points, one more than Napoli, and is in fourth place. The Turin club's 17-point penalty from the Italian match-fixing scandal was reduced by eight points by an arbitration board last month.

The Bianconeri were depleted by the absence of six first-choice players, including David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved, but dominated for the majority of the game.

Mauro Camoranesi and Del Piero both missed goal-scoring opportunities in the first half.

However, Napoli increased its tempo after allowing the first goal and nearly took the lead three minutes after Bogliacino's goal when Emanuele Calaio put a shot into the arms of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from close range.

Bogliacino's goal was the first Juventus had conceded in 733 minutes, and ended its eight-match winning streak.

The players wore black armbands in memory of former Juventus captain and 1938 Italy World Cup winner Pietro Rava, who died on Sunday. A minute's silence was held before the match.

Lippi Seeks Comeback

AFP, PRAGUE
Italy's former World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi said on Monday he would like to reignite his career in time for the 2007/2008 season.

Lippi quit his post as Italy coach three days after leading the side to victory over France in the World Cup final.

But after a season out in which he has so far rejected more than a handful of offers from Europe and the US, the 58-year-old is now looking at getting back to the touchline.

"Next year, or more precisely the next season of competition," replied Lippi, when asked on a possible return here at a conference organized by the body which represents football coaches working in Europe.
This story has been viewed 1188 times.