Champions League - Juventus win on return

Eurosport - Thu, 18 Sep 17:25:00 2008

Juventus marked their return to the Champions League with a 1-0 win at home to UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg in Group H thanks to a stunning free-kick from Alessandro Del Piero, while Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Bate Borisov.

FOOTBALL Liga Campeones 2008-2009 Juventus Turín Zenit San Petersburgo Alessandro Del Piero foto EFE - 0

The 33-year-old captain, who played in the final when the Turin club won the second of their two European Cups in 1996, netted on 76 minutes in their Group H opener with Zenit goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev looking at fault.

Juve, back in the group stages after missing out in the last two seasons following their domestic demotion for match-fixing, made hard work of the win against the Champions League debutants.

"At the start we had some problems and we were a bit afraid," Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon told Rai television.

"It is a victory with a special taste as we and the fans have waited a long time."

Zenit, coached by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, served notice of their European ambitions this term by beating Manchester United in last month's Super Cup.

The UEFA Cup holders had the first clear chance against Juve when striker Danny scuffed wide from close range.

The Russian champions worried the Serie A side for long periods but Andrei Arshavin, one of the standout players of Euro 2008, failed to inspire them sufficiently with Buffon making a neat save from the playmaker.

Juve had other chances of their own however, with David Trezeguet heading just past the post from strike partner Del Piero's clipped cross.

Winger Mauro Camoranesi, who later left the field injured, headed another good Del Piero cross against the outside of the post while midfielder Christian Poulsen went close with a flick in the second half.

Real Madrid 2-0 Bate Borisov

Newcomers Bate got away lightly in the defeat against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Sergio Ramos gave the nine-times European champions an early lead and they threatened an avalanche of goals but Bate held firm until early in the second half.

Ruud van Nistelrooy doubled the advantage with his 54th goal in the competition and any thoughts of a fightback by the team from Belarus effectively disappeared when defender Anri Khagush was sent off soon after.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 20 of 20

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  1. Im a real madrid fan, but, i need to agree that Alex is­ a great player!

    From galacticos, on Thu 18 Sep 8:10PM

  2. i didnt wacth the game ,but i can safely say that ZENIT­ hav the best talent in EUROPE at the moment ! Credit to­ DEL PIERO , you are an ITALIAN and JUVE legend

    From Leo, on Thu 18 Sep 9:26AM

  3. FORZA UV
    WE R BACK.................

    From Jad, on Thu 18 Sep 8:34AM

  4. no comment at all 4 alex' goal keep it up

    From ahmedwoosh, on Thu 18 Sep 6:09AM

  5. I have made no secret about the fact that i'm an AC­ Milan fan and i deeply dislike Juventus but Del Piero­ is an exception, if you don't like Del Piero then­ you are a fool.

    From football4life, on Thu 18 Sep 4:00AM

  6. rossoneri_94: Are you suggesting that AC Milan was not­ involved in the ref fixing scandal? Because the­ findings and the punishments suggest otherwise :-)

    From Half A Brain, on Thu 18 Sep 2:34AM

  7. thats my bro..hahaha..i like your freekick..del piero u­ are the best player ever..:-)

    From stylozz, on Thu 18 Sep 2:17AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I hope that everyone can agree that Zenit is the best­ playing team in europe at the time. Juventus was @#$%­ today, as they always are. Zenit was unlucky not to go­ home with a 3-0. Del Piero is the worst player to ever­ play, all he and junventus have are free kicks, it­ saves their @#$% @#$% every time. Milan will put 5 past­ them when we meet them in the league. Oh yea, is­ Juventus paying the referees again? It sure looked like­ today, as that motherF***er missed three yellow cards,­ and maybe even a red for that @#$% sissoko, who­ couldn't keep up with Danny, unless he fouled him.

    From Adnan, on Thu 18 Sep 1:24AM

  9. Juve were definately afraid of Zenit tonight and­ everyone but the great captain played below par. The­ midfield did not press and Poulsen was at times­ embarrassing. Molinaro was with his tale between his­ legs and did not attack at all and was rightly subbed.­ It's no surprise that the real Juve came out after­ the great Del Piero goal (goallie a bit suspect...)­ where everyone felt reassured. Never mind, tonight­ it's only the first night, it was important to win,­ the great performances will follow. Leave the British­ media to assume that their four teams are the best in­ the universe, they might be caught napping. Once­ Giovinco will be introduced to this stage and Amauri,­ De Ceglie and Marchisio get some experience there will­ be no turning back.

    From Morituri, on Thu 18 Sep 12:42AM

  10. no words .you were brave and wellcome back to­ CL.let's hope you'll be the champions this­ year.u deserve it

    From costea, on Thu 18 Sep 12:42AM

  11. Forza Juve!! Forza Alex!! Incredible goal from the­ heartbeat of The Old Lady. Great result against an­ excellent Zenit team. Juve look really strong in­ defence and midfield and with four strikers who all­ give the team different dimensions, anything is­ possible. I wouldn't rule out a Scudetto, Champions­ League double.

    From jonathanslickcat, on Wed 17 Sep 11:49PM

  12. Man oh man! Alex is never tired of scoring :-) He is a­ living legend. I remember when he first came into te­ team alongside Baggio. He is now older but surely one­ of the rare forwards every team would want to have him.­ He could start the game, come off the bench and still­ create the occasions and score beautiful goals. Alex,­ my man! You Rock!

    From Half A Brain, on Wed 17 Sep 11:48PM

  13. I'm a 110% cheerer for Porto, but my­ "foreign" team is, and always be, Juve.

    Alex­ on the power!!!

    From José, on Wed 17 Sep 11:34PM

  14. Forza Juve:!! Always Champion, Alwasy Alex is great, We­ love you Alex.
    James

    From sl_victory, on Wed 17 Sep 11:17PM

  15. Del Piero is the best he is a greatest football player­ of all times. JUVE 4EVER AND EVER

    From radeatanasovski, on Wed 17 Sep 11:05PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    juve....sucks @#$%

    From Owami, on Wed 17 Sep 10:53PM

  17. Pinturichio is perfecto. Great Alex!

    From cesc_coco, on Wed 17 Sep 10:24PM

  18. forza juve always!!!! alex the best!!!!!

    From dragos_cicatrice, on Wed 17 Sep 10:11PM

  19. forza juve!!!!!

    From Natano, on Wed 17 Sep 9:55PM

  20. Forza Juve!!!
    What a comeback to European­ Football...Thank you Alex...you are magnificent...With­ you we can win every match!

    From ZzaK, on Wed 17 Sep 9:48PM
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