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TEAM NEWS
Marcello Lippi choose his core side, with Iuliano in the place of Montero, and the same tactical lineup as in Glasgow. There was a three man defence, Pessotto played on the wide left of midfield,with Nedved and Del Piero playing a supporting role behind the lone striker Trezeguet. Verona, who have had an excellent start to the season,proved to be a stubborn opponent, and urged on by a passionate crowd, they quickly put the bianconeri in difficulty. Their first real attack came in the 4th minute, but Buffon came out to intercept from Oddo.After ten minutes however, they took the lead: Oddo crossed for Mutu, whose header was parried but not held by Buffon, which left Colucci free to tap in the rebound(1-0). Encouraged by this lead, Malesani's side tried again through Mutu three minutes later, but this time his shot finished safely in Buffon's arms. The bianconera reacted through Tacchinardi and Zambrotta: who both sent in powerful shots that went over the bar. Verona were more fortunate in the 24th minute:when Nedved and Tacchinardi got in each others way, wasting a good opportunity. The bianconeri fans were made to fret when Thuram played a risky backpass to Buffon, but the keeper did well to avoid two incoming Verona attackers. Meanwhile, Lippi made some changes in defence:with Thuram going to the right, and Tudor to the centre. However,Juve still continued to have difficulty getting back into the game . They did manage to muster up two opportunities though; in the 29th minute Nedved crossed for Tudor, whose header was saved by Ferron, whilst in the 45th a powerful effort by Tacchinardi finished off target. Neither of the sides made any changes at halftime, and Verona were quickly back on the attack as after just 2 minutes Camoranesi forced Buffon into a save, with Tudor clearing for a corner. Thuram and Tudor then had to do well to stop two more dangerous attacks. In the 57th minute Lippi brought on Amoruso for Nedved , and then three minutes later, Zenoni for Iuliano. Pessotto therefore switched into the defence, with Zambrotta going to the left, and the ex-Atalanta star Zenoni to the right wing. Verona though continued to attack, and took their next chance to double the lead: Mutu crossing for Camoranesi, who from close range scored easily.(2-0). In the 70th minute Maresca was brought on for for Davids, and he immediatly set up Juve's first chance of the half:as his sweeping long pass to Amoruso,allowed the striker to shoot, with the shot being saved at the expense of a corner. Del Piero sent over the corner kick, and rising high Tudor headed home, reducing Verona's lead(2-1). It was now a battle against time, with Juve desperately striving for an equaliser, that nearly came when Trezeguet set up Amoruso, whose shot was saved by Ferron. The bianconeri continued to increase the pressure, with Verona on the back foot. In the 85th minute Tudor crossed to Trezeguet, who was just too late to the ball. However, in the final minutes of the match, Juve's pressure paid dividends, as Trezegol equalised; the Frenchman tried a shot, that was blocked, but undetered, he collected the ball from the rebound, and sent a leftfoot effort home.
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