Trezeguet hat-trick gives Juve winning return

AFP - 25 August 2007 23:20

Juventus´s forward David Trezeguet celebrates after scoring a goal against Livorno during their Serie A match at Comunale Stadium, in Turin. Trezeguet fired a hat-trick as Juventus marked their return to Serie A with a 5-1 demolition of Livorno.

ROME (AFP) - French international striker David Trezeguet fired a hat-trick as Juventus marked their return to Serie A with a 5-1 demolition of Livorno on Saturday.

Juve, who were demoted to Serie B last year as punishment for their role in the match-fixing scandal which rocked Italy, took out their frustration on their modest opponents.

The Turin giants, now under former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri, spent over 50 million euros in the summer, but it was a couple of old stagers who got the ball rolling on Saturday.

Trezeguet opened the scoring in the 28th minute from a left-wing cross by Alessandro Del Piero.

But Juve had to wait until late in the game to make sure of the three points.

In the 71st minute, Vincenzo Iaquinta, making his debut after leaving Udinese, was hauled down in the box by Alessandro Grandoni as he chased a Pavel Nedved through ball.

Iaquinta took the spot-kick himself and made it 2-0.

Juve made it 3-0 when Iaquinta deflected in a right-foot shot from Nedved in the 86th minute.

A minute later, Iaquinta turned provider for Trezeguet to stroke the ball home before the Frenchman completed his hat-trick in injury time with his 98th career goal in 152 Serie A matches.

Massimo Loviso scored a late consolation for Livorno.

Ranieri praised Trezeguet who had threatened to leave the club in a contract row at the end of last season.

"When he made that gesture I was surprised, as I had already been appointed and had a very different idea of him from our meeting in the locker room," said the coach.

"Perhaps he thought he wasn't part of my plans. That was not the case and you can see that now."

Earlier Saturday, Lazio, who were third last season, and Torino fought out a 2-2 draw.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito said that the Rome side are battling a major injury crisis.

Modibo Diakhite was stretchered off with a fractured tibia and could well be out for the rest of the season, while Aleksander Kolarov sustained a thigh strain.

The shortage of defenders meant Emilson Cribari had to play as a substitute just 10 days after surgery to correct a fractured cheekbone.

"It's a complete state of emergency. It feels like we're cursed," said Lotito.

On Sunday, Roma, who were runners-up to Inter Milan last time out, go to Sicily to take on Palermo.

Roma have signed two experienced players in Brazilian defender Juan from Bayer Leverkusen, as well as French midfielder Ludovic Giuly, winner of the 2006 Champions League with Barcelona.

Inter Milan kick-off off their title defence at the San Siro against Udinese as European champions AC Milan travel to promoted Genoa.

Promoted Napoli host Cagliari as Fiorentina, fifth last season, face a potentially tricky tie against Empoli.

Elsewhere Parma host Catania, Sampdoria travel to Siena and Reggina are at home to Atalanta.