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On Sunday, the long-awaited Italian championship match took place between the leaders of the tournament, Turin's "Juventus" and "Milan" clubs. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, allowing "Juve" to maintain a 10-point lead at the top of the standings.
69' Gennaro Gattuso was sent off the field.
Playing at home, "Juventus" started without their captain Alessandro Del Piero. In his place, Zlatan Ibrahimović and David Trezeguet led the attack. Gianluca Zambrotta couldn't start the match due to injury. Meanwhile, Marcos Cafu and long-time team player Paolo Maldini couldn't help the visitors.
The match started with chances from Andriy Shevchenko and David Trezeguet, but both teams' goalkeepers played reliably. The first dangerous opportunity came in the 21st minute near the hosts' goal. "Milan" defender Serginho crossed the ball into the penalty area, where Andriy Shevchenko awaited, but "Juventus" goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon managed to defend.
A few minutes later, Buffon had to work hard again when he caught the ball that Filippo Inzaghi was chasing. "Milan" felt the rhythm of the game, and Kaka's crossed ball went past the "Juventus" goalkeeper, but F. Inzaghi slipped and the ball went out of bounds.
In the second half, A.Del Piero started in the attack for "Juventus," but a disappointed Zlatan Ibrahimović sat on the bench. F. Inzaghi was active again, this time beating the offside trap, but he was stopped by "Juventus" defender Fabio Cannavaro.
"Juventus" also created a few attacks, involving Pavel Nedvěd, Adrian Mutu, and A.Del Piero, but their attempts didn't cause much trouble for "Milan" goalkeeper Dida. A few minutes later, another A.Del Piero shot missed the target, and F. Inzaghi once again threatened the hosts' goal, but Buffon played reliably again.
Shortly after, "Juve" goalkeepers had to save their team from Gennaro Gattuso's corner kick. However, this player was sent off the field a few minutes later for reacting too harshly to a mistake. Despite this card, the visitors continued to attack, but "Juventus" players managed to defend and get closer to the championship title.
Standings:
