Juventus 2 - 1 Galatasaray
Del Piero 5, 73 (J), Hakan Sukur 19 (G)
Stadio Delle Alpi
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Alessandro Del Piero scored twice as Juventus struggled to dispose of Fatih Terim's Galatasaray.
Juventus were defeated Finalists last year and have made no secret of the fact the Champions' League is their main target this season.
The campaign kicked off in Turin against Fatih Terim's Galatasaray, a Coach who had previously never lost to the Bianconeri in his career. Ciro Ferrara replaced the injured Nicola Legrottaglie in central defence, while Edgar Davids was again left on the bench.
It took just five minutes for Alessandro Del Piero to give Juve the lead. Mauro Camoranesi threaded through for the unmarked captain to turn in a right-footed angled drive.
The Bianconeri fielded David Trezeguet despite an injury worry and his daisy-cutter almost took Mondragon by surprise for a fingertip save.
Pavel Nedved could perhaps have gone for goal soon after, but he opted to set up Trezeguet and Korkmaz slid in to recover a desperate situation.
However, Galatasaray drew level with ex-Parma and Inter flop Hakan Sukur. The veteran striker was left relatively unmarked to nod in a corner kick on 19 minutes.
Juve were extremely unlucky not to get back into the lead on the half-hour mark. Del Piero's corner was met by the head of Trezeguet, but Batista cleared off the line with his 'keeper beaten.
The captain then tried with a header that looped over the bar from another Camoranesi cross.
Edgar Davids stepped on for the second half to replace the tired-looking Alessio Tacchinardi in a more aggressive midfield.
However, they continued to find no way through an organised Galatasaray defence and there were few real scoring opportunities.
The Bianconeri did not seem to know where their teammates were on the field, as Del Piero again cut back to empty space instead of passing to the completely unmarked Nedved.
Gianluca Zambrotta attempted a spectacular bicycle-kick, but the finish was off target.
Igor Tudor was thrown on in place of Camoranesi, and the Italian international did not appear pleased with the substitution.
Del Piero's free kicks provided Juve's best chances and on 67 minutes he curled a splendid set-piece on to the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally emerged with fifteen minutes to go. Del Piero's free kick appeared to be flicked on by Ferrara to take Mondragon by surprise. However, after the match the defender revealed that he had not touched the ball, so the goal should be credited to the captain.
Del Piero could have extended their lead soon after, but his just failed to get a good strong header on Stephan Appiah's centre.
Galatasaray refused to give in an Gianluigi Buffon punched out a deflected Arif cross-cum-shot.
Substitute Marco Di Vaio brought a magnificent reaction save out of Mondragon in the final minute, as the Colombian shot-stopper flew to fingertip out his powerful header.
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Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Montero, Zambrotta; Tacchinardi (Davids 46), Appiah; Camoranesi (Tudor 65), Nedved, Del Piero; Trezeguet (Di Vaio 78)
Galatasaray: Mondragon; Cesar Prates, De Boer, Korkmaz, Hakan Unsal (Tamas 83), Sabri, Batista, Fabio Pinto (Arif 80), Ergun; Hasan Sas (Cihan 65); Hakan Sukur
Ref: Ivanov (Rus)