Shame we couldn’t win the Peace Cup

The Italian international would rather avoid penalty shoot-outs in the future…

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Juventus ended their Peace Cup campaign on Sunday evening, losing in the final to Aston Villa. The shot stopper, however, believes it was a positive experience for the side, although he would liked to have come home a winner.

“We have just returned to Italy after a long and fruitful spell in Spain. There is obviously some regret as to how it ended,” he said through his official website.

“I am convinced it helps to win and bringing home the trophy would have aided us in dealing with the many upcoming commitments.”

The Bianconeri missed a whole host of chances during the match and then were undone in a penalty shoot-out, losing 4-3 to their opponents.

“At the end of the game, I almost laughed, thinking that even when I save some penalties we cannot win. Well, this means we will have to try even more. I just want matches to end after 90 minutes!”

Juventus face Chievo in the first round of the Serie A calendar on the weekend of August 22.

Source:

Goal.com

10 Best Saves

Let’s avoid the Penalty Shootout

The Italian international would rather avoid penalty shoot-outs in the future…

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is looking upset following his side’s exit from the Coppa Italia

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Juventus ended their Peace Cup campaign on Sunday evening, losing in the final to Aston Villa. The shot stopper, however, believes it was a positive experience for the side, although he would liked to have come home a winner.

“We have just returned to Italy after a long and fruitful spell in Spain. There is obviously some regret as to how it ended,” he said through his official website.

“I am convinced it helps to win and bringing home the trophy would have aided us in dealing with the many upcoming commitments.”

The Bianconeri missed a whole host of chances during the match and then were undone in a penalty shoot-out, losing 4-3 to their opponents.

“At the end of the game, I almost laughed, thinking that even when I save some penalties we cannot win. Well, this means we will have to try even more. I just want matches to end after 90 minutes!”

Juventus face Chievo in the first round of the Serie A calendar on the weekend of August 22.

Adam Scime, Goal.com

Gigi Buffon: Top Players of the Peace Cup

According to Goal.com Gianluigi Buffon is considered one of the top players of this years Peace Cup. “The old, reliable stopper was beaten just once from open play, with it otherwise taking penalties to pass him.” is what they had to say about him. He shares this honour along side Mauro Camoranesi and Giorgio Chiellini.

Full Story here

Peace Cup Final – Penalty Kicks Video

Heres a video of all the penalty kicks from the 0-0 tie of todays Peace Cup Final

Peace Cup Final Juventus – Aston Villa

Aston Villa won 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out to hoist the prestigious exhibition tournament cup in Spain…

2 Aug 2009

Aston Villa were energetic and Juventus will rue missing a whole host of chances in regulation time, as the English side managed to win the Peace Cup 2009 edition in a penalty shoot-out.

Winger Ashley Young had the first good opportunity of the match, cutting inside past Jonathan Zebina, but his powerful effort was straight at Gianluigi Buffon.

Indeed, while Juventus were being fairly patient in attack, Aston Villa were using the wings to attack, forcing the Bianconeri goalkeeper to make a number of stops from shots from a tight angle.

Sebastian Giovinco and Mauro Camoranesi were causing the Villans defence problems with their crossing and through balls, but Vincenzo Iaquinta missed a golden chance when he could not direct his header on target after thirty minutes.

John Carew had been largely anonymous, but his powerfully hit free-kick was turned around the post by Buffon. Juventus responded, but Iaquinta spurned yet another chance from his head after a set-piece by the ‘Atomic Ant.’

The English side were doing most of the pressing, but the Bianconeri rearguard held up well until the half-time whistle blew.

It was more of the same in the second half, as neither team could break the deadlock.

The restart was largely uneventful until 60 minutes, when Zebina broke down the right and cut back for David Trezeguet, but the Frenchman shockingly hit it over the bar. It was a waste of the best opportunity of the match thus far.

Eric Lichaj chased a promising through ball, but only caught a piece of Buffon while lunging for the ball.

The Italians were taking more control in the match as it came to a close, looking for a winner, but were once again thwarted by poor finishing from both Trezeguet and Iaquinta.

With extra-time approaching, Ciro Ferrara threw on Alessandro Del Piero, but despite some exciting dribbles no more real opportunities arose.

Marc Albrighton, who has had an excellent tournament, nearly was one-on-one with the keeper, but Giorgio Chiellini made a crucial clearance. The Italian international was involved again as he poked the ball off the foot of Nigel Reo-Coker in the area.

The veteran Trezeguet nearly made up for an earlier mistake with a well-executed bicycle-kick, but it was straight at Guzan, who gathered the ball.

As both teams tired, the match lost it’s edge and there was an interesting incident as the referee blew the whistle early, at 116 minutes, rather than the customary 120 as penalties arrived.

After Bannan scored, Iaquinta’s poor night continued as his weak penalty was saved by Guzan. However, Sidwell lofted his effort over the cross bar.

Trezeguet, Lowry, Amauri, Young, Felipe Melo all converted before Buffon denied substitute Chris Herd. However, talisman Alessandro Del Piero shot right down the middle – but the American shot stopper was not fooled and also made the decisive stop on Nicola Legrottaglie for a precious shoot-out victory!

Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus (4-3 after penalties)

Juventus Staring XI (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Melo, Marchisio; Giovinco; Iaquinta, Trezeguet.

Aston Villa Starting XI (4-4-2): Guzan; Lichaj, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Young, Weimann, Carew.

Source: Goal.com

Peace Cup Final Preview

The two best sides of the Peace Cup will fight for the title on Sunday, as Juve take on Aston Villa…

Kick-Off: Sunday, August 2, 22:00 CET. Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla, Spain.

Brilliant Bianconeri

The 2009 Peace Cup has brought a whole host of top-class teams together, but in truth, Juventus have been a cut above the rest. Going into the final, they remain the only team with a perfect record, having dispatched of Sevilla, Seongnam Ilhwa and Real Madrid respectively. While some of the other teams have left the tournament with more questions than answers, Juve look set for their best season in recent memory.

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect for the Old Lady has been the seamless transition that their three major signings have made into the team. Fabio Cannavaro already looks a far more assured figure than he ever did at the Bernabeu, even managing to score against his former club after just three minutes. Meanwhile, Diego has got his first goal (although he has since been injured), while Felipe Melo has been solid in midfield.

The 2-1 win over Madrid, their third against Los Merengues in the last year, confirmed that Juve will be a force to reckon with this season. With Martin Caceres and perhaps others still to join, things can only get better. They appear to be peaking at just the right time, which can only be bad news for Aston Villa.

Just Enough

In contrast to Juve, Aston Villa’s progress to the final has been quite complicated, but no-one can deny that they deserve to be there. After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Malaga in their opening match, they battled to beat Atlante 3-1, topping the group on goal difference in the process. A clinical 2-1 win over Porto then ensured that they would make the showpiece occasion on Sunday.

There have been obstacles along the way, not least Stiliyan Petrov’s injury and Emile Heskey’s sending off in the last game, but Villa’s determination will certainly have pleased Martin O’Neill. With the Premier League season inching ever closer, time is running out for sides to finalise their preparations. Regardless of the final result, O’Neill will surely feel that the Peace Cup has provided plenty of positives for his side.

Therefore, the match against Juventus is clearly Villa’s most important thus far. For a side with genuine designs on breaking into the ‘Big Four’, it should provide a fair gauge of their current level. Expect a close contest, for as O’Neill’s touchline antics against Atlante proved, Villa are ready to take on anyone.

FORM GUIDE

Juventus

Jul 31 Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid (Peace Cup)

Jul 28 Juventus 3-0 Seongnam (Peace Cup)

Jul 24 Sevilla 1-2 Juventus (Peace Cup)

Jul 21 Juventus 1-1 Vicenza (Friendly)

Jul 19 Nancy 1-1 Juventus (Friendly)

Aston Villa

Jul 31 Aston Villa 2-1 Porto (Peace Cup)

Jul 29 Aston Villa 3-1 Atlante (Peace Cup)

Jul 25 Malaga 1-0 Aston Villa (Peace Cup)

Jul 21 Colchester 2-2 Aston Villa (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Claudio Marchisio, Momo Sissoko, Paolo De Ceglie and Diego are all unavailable.

Probable Starting XI: Buffon – Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Salihamidzic – Tiago, Melo, Camoranesi, Giovinco – Amauri, Del Piero

Aston Villa

Stiliyan Petrov is injured, while Emile Heskey is suspended.

Probable Starting XI: Friedel – Shorey, Cuellar, Davies, Lichaj – Albrighton, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Bannan – Young, Carew

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Juventus – Having worked his way back to full fitness, Felipe Melo will be ready to show what he is made of, and can be expected to make life very tough for the Villa midfield.

Aston Villa – In the absence of Heskey, much of the attacking burden will fall upon Ashley Young, who will want to prove himself against one of Europe’s best teams.

PREDICTION

Aston Villa have made life difficult for everyone in this tournament, so it should be a close contest. However, Juventus have been the best side thus far, and should have enough to lift the trophy.

Juventus 3-1 Aston Villa

Source: Goal.com

Peace Cup Final

Juventus will face Aston Villa in the Peace Cup Final tomorrow, August 2, 2009 in Spain. With Juventus winning all of their Peace Cup matches and Aston Villa winning all but one. This should make for an exciting match.

Forza Juve!

Peace Cup Semi-Final Videos

All Goals Compilation

Highlights

Cristiano Ronaldo Penalty Kick

Juventus Beat Real Madrid 2-1

Onto the Finals

Juventus beat Real to reach Peace Cup final

SEVILLE, Spain — Juventus beat Real Madrid 2-1 Friday to reach the final of the Peace Cup as the big-spending Spanish club failed to shine in its first major pre-season test.

The Italians will meet Aston Villa on Sunday after the English Premier League side beat Porto of Portugal by the same score in Malaga.

Juventus got off to a flying start in the match in Seville when Fabio Cannavaro connected with a free kick from Alessandro del Piero to head the ball past Jerzy Dudek in the third minute.

Real leveled the score when the world’s most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo scored his second goal — and second penalty — in a Real shirt.

The 23-year-old Portuguese star – who cost Real around 94 million euros when he joined from Manchester United — slotted the ball past Gianluigi Buffon in the 41st minute after Giorgio Chiellini brought down Raul.

Bosnian midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic restored the advantage for the Italians in the 49th minute with a glancing header from a corner by Alessandro Del Piero.

The match was Real’s first real pre-season test after matches against Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers, Saudi side Al Ittihad and Ecuador’s La Liga de Quito.

But three of the club’s big new signings — Kaka, Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa — and Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos were not selected,

All had been allowed to extend their holidays after taking part in the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June.

But Real coach Manuel Pellegrini was able to count on French signing Karim Benzema, who had recovered from a knock picked up in the match against La Liga de Quito.

The former Lyon striker, who joined Real for 35 million euros (50 million dollars) earlier this month, was substituted in the 72nd minute by Argentine Gonzalo Higuain.

Twelve clubs took part in the prestigious pre-season Peace Cup tournament.

The tournament began life in 2003 and FIFA recognised it as an international event in 2007.

This year is the first time it has been held outside of South Korea.

Source: AFP