The match before last of this Champions League’s round, won by the Bianconeri in great advance. Capello’s squad got on the field willing to win against a prestigious side like Ajax who, on the other hand, had few chances to qualify. In front of 6.865 spectators, 300 of which are Dutch, Juventus beats the ‘Lancers’ 1-0 thanks to a goal scored by Zalayeta after 14 minutes into the first half.
The score is actually the first action worth mentioning in a game ruled easily by the Bianconeri. It’s 14 minutes into the first half. Camoranesi advances upfield on the right, grabs the ball from Maxwell and serves Zalayeta, whose low drive gets right into the net. Ajax’s reaction takes shape after 27 minutes with a dangerous free kick from Van der Vaart saved by Buffon; his clearance is intercepted by Rosales, but the attempt is wide of target. Ajax tries again after 38 minutes with a shot from the distance kicked by Escudé; the ball is slightly deflected by Montero and Buffon clears easily. However, it’s Juventus, into the final minutes of the first half, who comes close to double the score in a couple of occasions. The first occurs on 42’ minutes: a great action by Nedved who, starting from the midfield, dribbles an opponent, assists Zalayeta, the latter serves Ibrahimovic who shoots high. A minute later it’s the Swede’s turn to assist Nedved beautifully, but the Czech’s attempts is high over the net.
After a quite flat 15-minutes, the second half starts with a fine attack from Juventus, and they nearly score: Ibrahimovic assists Nedved and the latter’s high lob is intercepted by Emerson who goes for the goal but his attempt is saved on the net’s line by a defender (16’). Ajax hits back with a weak shot by Babel, which ends wide of the target (22’). A minute later, Nedved serves Ibrahimovic, whose deflection into the box is countered by Vonk. In the extra time, a fine free kick for Olivera, who replaced Camoranesi, is wide of the posts. The Bianconeri greet their supporters with a victory. Next Champions League’s fixture at the Delle Alpi will take place for the last 16 match, as next fixture in this round is due in Tel Aviv on December, 8th.
JUVENTUS-AJAX 1-0
GOALS: 14’fh Zalayeta
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Birindelli (40’sh Cannavaro), Thuram, Montero, Zambrotta, Camoranesi (25’st Olivera), Emerson, Tacchinardi, Nedved, Ibrahimovic (32’sh Kapo), Zalayeta. Manager: Capello. Subtitues: Chimenti, Tudor, Appiah, Blasi, Kapo, Olivera, Cannavaro.
AJAX: Vonk, Trabelsi, Grygera, Escudé, Maxwell, De Jong (25’sh Sneijder), Galasek, Van der Vaart, Boukhari (14’sh Mitea), Rosales, Babel (34’sh Anastasiou). Manager: Koeman. Subtitues: Stekelenburg, Obodai, Vermaelen, Anastasiou, Sneijder, De Ridder, Mitea.
REFEREE: Plautz
YELLOW CARDS: 32’fh Montero
SPECTATORS: 6.865
PROCEEDS: 102.175