Juve seek more joy from Rapid
Saturday, 24 September 2005
Juventus FC, the 2003 UEFA Champions League finalists, play their first home game in this season's competition, boosted by gaining three points in an opening victory at Club Brugge KV. The Italian champions face SK Rapid Wien, who might have taken a point from their first match at home to FC Bayern München had they not missed a late penalty. However, Rapid are still looking for their first victory in the Champions League.
Two previous visits: In two previous visits to the Stadio Delle Alpi, Rapid have suffered heavy defeats. The most recent took place on the first occasion Rapid were in the Champions League in 1996/97, resulting in a 5-0 win for Juventus.
Two goals each from Alen Bokšic and Alessandro Del Piero and another from Paolo Montero in their Group C encounter on 30 October 1996, helped Juventus towards winning the group, while Rapid finished without a victory. The first group game in Vienna had ended 1-1.
First meeting: On their first trip to Juventus, the Austrian team were beaten 4-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Cup third-round tie in 1971/72, losing 5-1 on aggregate. Roberto Bettega, now a Juventus vice-president, struck a hat-trick to add to his only goal of the away leg.
Unbeaten at home: Juventus have won all five of their UEFA competition matches at home to Austrian clubs with a goal difference of 18-3. But any overconfidence might be tempered by memories of their first meeting with Austrian opposition.
First Austrian match: The Bianconeri won the first leg of their 1958/59 European Champion Clubs' Cup preliminary-round tie against Wiener SC at the Stadio Communale by a comfortable 3-1 margin. But the capital club hit back in the return; four goals from Josef Hamerl and a couple from Erich Hof hurried the Italian side to a 7-0 loss, Juventus's heaviest European defeat.
No wins in Italy: Rapid have yet to win on Italian soil, with a draw and eight defeats, and eight goals scored against 31 conceded. The draw came against AC Milan in a 1973/74 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second round first-leg tie which ended in stalemate. Milan won the second leg 2-0.
Last Italian trip: On their last visit to Italy, Rapid were beaten 1-0 by S.S. Lazio in the third round of the 1997/98 UEFA Cup. Lazio had triumphed 2-0 in Austria in the first leg, winning 3-0 on aggregate to move towards the final.
MILESTONES
Strong defence: The goal conceded at Club Brugge on Matchday 1 was only the fifth shipped by Juventus in their last ten Champions League games.
Rare second goal: The two goals scored against Club Brugge marked the first time Juventus had registered more than one goal in normal time of a Champions League tie since 10 December 2003, when they defeated Greek side Olympiacos CFP 7-0 in Turin. The win against Real Madrid CF in the first knockout round last season was achieved in extra time.
Solid at home: Juventus's defence was unbreached at home in the 2004/05 Champions League. They won all three group games 1-0 then beat Madrid 2-0 after extra time in the first knockout round, before drawing 0-0 with Liverpool FC in the quarter-finals.
Last defeat: The Bianconeri's last Champions League home defeat was 1-0 against RC Deportivo La Coruña in the second leg of the 2003/04 first knockout round, Deportivo going through 2-0 on aggregate.
One defeat in 12 at home: Since the 3-0 home reverse against Manchester United FC on 25 February 2003, Juve have played 12 home matches in the tournament, winning nine, drawing two and losing against Deportivo.
No wins: Rapid have never won a Champions League tie. Their 1-0 home defeat by Bayern means they have not won in seven outings, with two draws and five losses.
No goals in four: Rapid have not scored in their past four games in the competition – they last hit the target at home to Juventus in the 1996/97 campaign.
Buy on AliExpress.com
