[CL] Juventus - Real Madrid (19 Viewers)
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Buffon backs 'special' Juve
Wednesday, 9 March 2005
By Paolo Menicucci
As Juventus FC go in search of goals at the Stadio Delle Alpi tonight, they will do so in the knowledge that, in goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, they have the perfect antidote to the threat of a Real Madrid CF counterattack.
Away goal fear
Juventus must score if they are to remain in the competition, having lost 1-0 at Madrid a fortnight ago in the first instalment of their Round of 16 tie. However, they also have to guard against conceding an away goal to the Spanish side. This is where the Italian international comes into play.
'Could have been easier'
"I believe we have every chance of reversing the first-leg result and progressing in the competition, even though our match is far from easy," Buffon told uefa.com. "I am disappointed because I did not want to lose at the [Santiago] Bernabéu, any type of defeat hurts. I did not like the fact we did not score a goal, I would have preferred to have lost 2-1 or 3-2, which would have made the second leg easier."
'Never give up'
None the less, according to the custodian, Juve have the necessary spirit and experience to overturn both a 1-0 deficit and many people's favourites for the trophy. "This Juventus side is special because even when we don't get the rub of the green, we are always at the top of our game," he said. "We never give up and always give a good account of ourselves against any opponent, which in my opinion, is the hallmark of a great team."
Precedent for victory
Two seasons ago, in the Champions League semi-finals, the Bianconeri beat Madrid 4-3 on aggregate after losing 2-1 away in the first leg. David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved scored in the decider in Turin, with Zinedine Zidane's goal not enough for the visitors because Buffon saved a Luís Figo penalty earlier in the game.
Lucky competition
"I have been fortunate in that I always seem to play well in the Champions League and because of this, I am always happy when I am involved in this competition," said the 27-year-old.
Favourite saves
Having ousted Madrid, Juventus lost against AC Milan on penalties in the final at Old Trafford. Now the aim is to go one better. "If we had won the Champions League, I think I would remember the penalty that I saved from [Clarence] Seedorf or the stop I made from [Filippo] Inzaghi's header," Buffon said. "It was a big disappointment not to have won the Champions League but I am sure that if we manage to win it this time, the disappointment will go away very quickly."
Wednesday, 9 March 2005
By Paolo Menicucci
As Juventus FC go in search of goals at the Stadio Delle Alpi tonight, they will do so in the knowledge that, in goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, they have the perfect antidote to the threat of a Real Madrid CF counterattack.
Away goal fear
Juventus must score if they are to remain in the competition, having lost 1-0 at Madrid a fortnight ago in the first instalment of their Round of 16 tie. However, they also have to guard against conceding an away goal to the Spanish side. This is where the Italian international comes into play.
'Could have been easier'
"I believe we have every chance of reversing the first-leg result and progressing in the competition, even though our match is far from easy," Buffon told uefa.com. "I am disappointed because I did not want to lose at the [Santiago] Bernabéu, any type of defeat hurts. I did not like the fact we did not score a goal, I would have preferred to have lost 2-1 or 3-2, which would have made the second leg easier."
'Never give up'
None the less, according to the custodian, Juve have the necessary spirit and experience to overturn both a 1-0 deficit and many people's favourites for the trophy. "This Juventus side is special because even when we don't get the rub of the green, we are always at the top of our game," he said. "We never give up and always give a good account of ourselves against any opponent, which in my opinion, is the hallmark of a great team."
Precedent for victory
Two seasons ago, in the Champions League semi-finals, the Bianconeri beat Madrid 4-3 on aggregate after losing 2-1 away in the first leg. David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved scored in the decider in Turin, with Zinedine Zidane's goal not enough for the visitors because Buffon saved a Luís Figo penalty earlier in the game.
Lucky competition
"I have been fortunate in that I always seem to play well in the Champions League and because of this, I am always happy when I am involved in this competition," said the 27-year-old.
Favourite saves
Having ousted Madrid, Juventus lost against AC Milan on penalties in the final at Old Trafford. Now the aim is to go one better. "If we had won the Champions League, I think I would remember the penalty that I saved from [Clarence] Seedorf or the stop I made from [Filippo] Inzaghi's header," Buffon said. "It was a big disappointment not to have won the Champions League but I am sure that if we manage to win it this time, the disappointment will go away very quickly."
man im so nervous and excited at the same time!
Talismen vie for winning formula
Wednesday, 9 March 2005
By Michael Harrold
Alessandro Del Piero and Raúl González may have won the UEFA Champions League four times between them, but both will still feel they have something to prove when Juventus FC and Real Madrid CF meet tonight.
Illustrious captains
The two illustrious captains are the symbols of two of Europe's greatest sides, and both sets of supporters will be looking to their talisman to provide the moment of magic that decides the tie at the Stadio delle Alpi. For Juve fans, Del Piero's return to the starting lineup goes some way to making up for the loss of Pavel Nedved to injury. In contrast to Raúl's untouchable status at Madrid, they have had to get used to the sight of their hero on the bench since Fabio Capello's arrival as coach.
Cheeky backheel
Capello has insisted it is for Del Piero's own good as the striker eases his way back from the tendinitis that has hampered his season. And it is hard to argue with the coach who has already coaxed nine Serie A goals from the veteran this season. Best of all was the cheeky back-heel which opened the scoring in Juve's 3-0 victory against AC Siena on 27 February.
'Very pleased'
It was the first of Del Piero's two goals, announcing perhaps the return to full fitness and form of the Bianconeri's beloved fantasista. "I'm very pleased with my performance," he said. "It was a very good sign ahead of the key match of our season against Madrid. We started with three attackers and everything went well. I don't know if we'll repeat this experiment, but I can say I feel in good condition. It's up to Capello to decide. I have never questioned the decisions of the coach."
New role
When fit, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have led the line for Juve, and Del Piero has had to adapt to forge a role in the side. In Nedved's absence he has played as a third striker, or as support behind the front two. In training last week, in anticipation of Trezeguet's return, Del Piero was even asked to play out on the left wing.
Game evolves
Raúl's game too has evolved to suit the needs of his side, though the thought of leaving him out will not have entered the mind of coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. The striker may not provide the goals he did in seasons gone by, but his importance to Madrid is undiminished. As defender Míchel Salgado says: "Raúl is the soul of the team." There was a fleeting moment in the first leg of the Raúl of old, when he powered past his marker to meet Roberto Carlos's left-wing cross and fire a shot on to the crossbar.
Poacher turned provider
But the poacher these days has turned provider and that selflessness is seen week in, week out for Madrid. Ronaldo, Michael Owen and David Beckham have all benefited from the space Raúl creates as he drops deep or drags a defender out to the wing to give his team-mates room to run into.
Record can wait
When Raúl does finally get the goal he needs to surpass Alfredo Di Stéfano's record of 49 in European Champion Clubs' Cup matches, what will matter most to him is its value to the team, not personal glory. For Raúl, as long as there is another Champions League game to play, the half-century can wait. Del Piero will just want to make sure the celebrations are put on hold a bit longer - to next season at the earliest.
Wednesday, 9 March 2005
By Michael Harrold
Alessandro Del Piero and Raúl González may have won the UEFA Champions League four times between them, but both will still feel they have something to prove when Juventus FC and Real Madrid CF meet tonight.
Illustrious captains
The two illustrious captains are the symbols of two of Europe's greatest sides, and both sets of supporters will be looking to their talisman to provide the moment of magic that decides the tie at the Stadio delle Alpi. For Juve fans, Del Piero's return to the starting lineup goes some way to making up for the loss of Pavel Nedved to injury. In contrast to Raúl's untouchable status at Madrid, they have had to get used to the sight of their hero on the bench since Fabio Capello's arrival as coach.
Cheeky backheel
Capello has insisted it is for Del Piero's own good as the striker eases his way back from the tendinitis that has hampered his season. And it is hard to argue with the coach who has already coaxed nine Serie A goals from the veteran this season. Best of all was the cheeky back-heel which opened the scoring in Juve's 3-0 victory against AC Siena on 27 February.
'Very pleased'
It was the first of Del Piero's two goals, announcing perhaps the return to full fitness and form of the Bianconeri's beloved fantasista. "I'm very pleased with my performance," he said. "It was a very good sign ahead of the key match of our season against Madrid. We started with three attackers and everything went well. I don't know if we'll repeat this experiment, but I can say I feel in good condition. It's up to Capello to decide. I have never questioned the decisions of the coach."
New role
When fit, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have led the line for Juve, and Del Piero has had to adapt to forge a role in the side. In Nedved's absence he has played as a third striker, or as support behind the front two. In training last week, in anticipation of Trezeguet's return, Del Piero was even asked to play out on the left wing.
Game evolves
Raúl's game too has evolved to suit the needs of his side, though the thought of leaving him out will not have entered the mind of coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. The striker may not provide the goals he did in seasons gone by, but his importance to Madrid is undiminished. As defender Míchel Salgado says: "Raúl is the soul of the team." There was a fleeting moment in the first leg of the Raúl of old, when he powered past his marker to meet Roberto Carlos's left-wing cross and fire a shot on to the crossbar.
Poacher turned provider
But the poacher these days has turned provider and that selflessness is seen week in, week out for Madrid. Ronaldo, Michael Owen and David Beckham have all benefited from the space Raúl creates as he drops deep or drags a defender out to the wing to give his team-mates room to run into.
Record can wait
When Raúl does finally get the goal he needs to surpass Alfredo Di Stéfano's record of 49 in European Champion Clubs' Cup matches, what will matter most to him is its value to the team, not personal glory. For Raúl, as long as there is another Champions League game to play, the half-century can wait. Del Piero will just want to make sure the celebrations are put on hold a bit longer - to next season at the earliest.
Nedved back in training
by Nadia Carminati - created on 9 Mar 2005
Juventus have been boosted ahead of their UEFA Champions League second leg clash with Real Madrid by the return to training of midfielder Pavel Nedved.
Nedved was briefly knocked unconscious after a clash of heads with Raul Bravo during the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu.
The injury required Nedved to be hospitalised for five days and then spend a further week resting.
Although the Czech star is now back in training it remains unclear when he will be able to return to competitive action.
http://skysports.planetfootball.com...Nedved+back+in+training&channel=Football_Home
maybe the guy who wrote that nedved was going to start was right after all
but I am sceptic because he is not included in the squad, although I think that this can change before the game, can't it?
let's pray because the article is of 9th of march (today)
by Nadia Carminati - created on 9 Mar 2005
Juventus have been boosted ahead of their UEFA Champions League second leg clash with Real Madrid by the return to training of midfielder Pavel Nedved.
Nedved was briefly knocked unconscious after a clash of heads with Raul Bravo during the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu.
The injury required Nedved to be hospitalised for five days and then spend a further week resting.
Although the Czech star is now back in training it remains unclear when he will be able to return to competitive action.
http://skysports.planetfootball.com...Nedved+back+in+training&channel=Football_Home
maybe the guy who wrote that nedved was going to start was right after all
but I am sceptic because he is not included in the squad, although I think that this can change before the game, can't it?
let's pray because the article is of 9th of march (today)
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