Juventus beats Stum Graz, avoids jeopardy in season opener
The visitors wreaked havoc in Sturm Graz home as Juventus beat them in a 1-2 match. Italian Leonardo Bonucci fired a goal 15 minutes into the match. It took 67 minutes before Sturm Graz finally made an equalizer thanks to Gordon Schildenfeld. There was a ray of hope for Sturm Graz but Amauri managed to score in injury time and save the day for Juventus.
Two days before the match, Juve goalkeeper Alex Manninger said that their opponent should not be underestimated. The Italian giants are crowd favourites but Manninger was aware of their opponent’s fitness level. Graz was already playing in matches a month ahead of Juventus. With this in mind, Manninger warned his teammates not to be complacent. They [Sturm Graz] will run a lot and try to play attacking football. We have to be careful, but I'm confident," he said.
The Bianconeri were off to a bright start, creating several chances for them to score and disfigure Sturm Graz defence. They exerted control as the game progressed. One Juve goal was ruled offside but another solid attempt was made by Bonucci whose header from Diego’s corner gave the Italian side a lead over Graz. Several opportunities came after Bonucci’s goal but they were merely solid attempts that did not pull through.
Graz took advantage as the Bianconeri slightly retreated. Chances soon came pouring in. Graz defender Joachim Standfest’s long-effort travelled too wide and fellow teammate midfielder Haris Bukva struck another attempt, only to hit the post. In the dying minutes of the first half, Juve slowly regained control of the game.
In the second half, Sturm Graz tried to take charge of the game. Bukva easily got through Marco Motta’s shaky defensive skills but his attempt at a cross was headed out of danger by Juve midfielder Claudio Marchioso. Gordon Schildenfield’s attempt was too wide for an equaliser. Juventus struggled to counter but Diego’s and Amauri’s attempts left mouths watering.
Graz would not let anyone stop them from aiming for an equalizer. Midfielder Manuel Weber caused some problems for Juve goalkeeper Marco Storari while Bukva continued to threaten Motta’s defence down the left with his step overs. Bukva’s efforts finally produced fabulous results with his free kick outside the 18 yard box. Schildenfield took advantage of the free kick and stunned Storari and the rest of the Juve defense with a header. A few minutes before the end of the match, Juve and Graz found themselves on equal ground.
Juventus struggled to rise at least a notch above their opponents. Their wish was granted in the form of Amauri. Diego’s substitution proved to be a crucial move. Alessandro Del Pierro, who took Diego’s place, made a corner kick that was perfect enough for Amauri to put in the Graz goal with a header. The header left the Graz goalkeeper Christian Gratzei bewildered and the crowd stunned in silence. At 90’+2, Juve bid Graz “Arrivederci!” Now they are on their way to regaining their glory by winning the Europa League.
Juve would have lost their chance in winning had they let complacency consume them. Graz slowly regained control in the later part of the first half and the early second half. Fortunately, Juve was aware that they have a lot of bouncing back to do. It has been a rollercoaster ride for them these past few years. The team was badly affected by the Calciopoli scandal, where major teams such as Juve and Milan were accused of selecting favourable referees. At that time, Juve was the champion of Serie A. As punishment, Juve was relegated to Serie B. The next year, Juve did not win any silverware aside from Serie B. Juve was merely a runner-up in the seasons to come. Last season, Fulham dramatically defeated Juve in this very competition.
Sturm Graz has also had its share of glorious days but it has been almost two decades since they have landed one of the top two spots in the Austrian Bundesliga. They have also participated in the Champions League but their only recent progress in that League was a chance to play in the second group stage in 2000. For these two teams, it was all about getting back on track. Unfortunately for Graz, it was Juve’s day.
Tags: