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Juventus tighten grip on title after draw with Milan
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-13 09:03
ROME, March 12 (Reuters) - Juventus moved closer to retaining their Serie A
title after a goalless draw with 10-man AC Milan in a top of the table clash on
Sunday.
Juventus have 74 points from 29 matches, 10 more than Milan, who have just
nine matches to reel in the champions.
Milan, who came into the match following five successive league wins, created
more chances to score but were forced back after midfielder Gennaro Gattuso was
sent off in the 69th minute for a second bookable offence.
Asked whether referee Massimo De Santis had made the right decision to send
off Gattuso, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters: "I don't know. I was
too far away to see properly.
"Certainly it had an effect on us because it happened at such a crucial
point. If we'd had him during the last 20 minutes we could have done a lot
more."
The showdown at Turin's Stadio delle Alpi began in lively fashion, with a
one-two by strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Trezeguet forcing a diving save
from Milan keeper Dida.
At the other end Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina cut out a dangerous low
cross by Jaap Stam.
As the first half wore on, however, it was the visitors who began to apply
the pressure.
Milan winger Serginho controlled an Andrea Pirlo long ball, cut into the area
from the left and teed up for Andriy Shevchenko to blast in a shot that was
saved by Gianluigi Buffon.
Playmaker Kaka also exploited Juventus' weakness on the left. He dribbled
into the area and threaded a pass through the defence to Filippo Inzaghi at the
far post but the ball ran behind the 32-year-old striker, who was caught
off-balance and sent his shot wide.
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