Real Madrid 1 - 0 Juventus
Helguera 31 (R)
Bernabeu Stadium
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Pavel Nedved was knocked unconscious on his comeback, but the woodwork twice saved Juve even if they lost 1-0 in Madrid. The Turin giants had been unbeaten in the Champions' League in the Group phase.
Nedved made his first appearance since spraining his knee on January 23 and was pushed into the starting line-up to help solve Juve's currrent crisis. The Bianconeri have picked up just four points from their last four Serie A games and were without flu victim David Trezeguet, so Alessandro Del Piero partnered Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Former Real boss Fabio Capello returned to face the club where he won the 1997 Spanish Liga title.
Juve knocked Real Madrid out of the competition in the 2003 semi-finals, losing 2-1 in the Bernabeu and winning 3-1 in Turin with goals from Trezeguet, Del Piero and Nedved. The Spaniards brought in new Coach Wanderley Luxemburgo after scraping through the Group phase and improved considerably, though there were problems with Ronaldo's lack of discipline over the last few weeks. Zinedine Zidane faced his former club, while ex-Roma defender Walter Samuel and Director of Sport Arrigo Sacchi also provided an Italian connection.
The Bianconeri had a strong start with Emerson firing over and Del Piero forcing a foul out of Michel Salgado by sprinting past the defender. Roberto Carlos then found space and Ronaldo volleyed his cross off target.
There was bad news for Madrid, as after just nine minutes Salgado limped off with a knee injury and made way for Raul Bravo. Gianluigi Buffon then rushed off his line to pluck the ball off Ronaldo's foot.
Nedved had a good chance on an Ibrahimovic assist, but the challenge of Raul Bravo just did enough to ensure Iker Casillas could get hold of the finish. At the other end, Gianluca Zambrotta prevented Zidane from completing a great passing move with Ronaldo.
Del Piero's backheel found Emerson on the edge of the box and the Brazilian appeared to be tripped by former Roma teammate Samuel, but the referee incredibly waved play on. Soon after, Lilian Thuram was booked for a sliding challenge on Raul.
The first real danger to either side came on 24 minutes. Roberto Carlos out-sprinted Jonathan Zebina and crossed low for Raul, but his shot thumped the crossbar from six yards and Juve breathed a sigh of relief.
A promising Mauro Camoranesi run was closed down and Ibrahimovic's pass for Del Piero was too weak inside the area, but soon after Ibrahimovic cut back for Emerson and Casillas fingertipped his strike over the bar.
The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark. A David Beckham free kick found Ivan Helguera's free header into the far corner, though he didn't seem to make good contact with it and the ball came off his shoulder.
Nedved clashed heads with Raul Bravo and seemed to momentarily lose consciousness, so he was stretchered off and replaced by Ruben Olivera. Reports from the lockerroom revealed the 2003 European Player of the Year didn't even know where he was when he came to.
Real took control towards the end of the first half - and after Nedved's exit - and there was danger when Figo passed for Ronaldo and he nutmegged Zambrotta, but Fabio Cannavaro was there to clear.
In the second half, Buffon punched a Roberto Carlos cross off Raul's head and Olivera slipped, but Luis Figo was unable to get his shot on target. There was panic in the area when Figo's pass reached Ronaldo in the centre, but Cannavaro performed a stunning challenge. Play had already been halted, however, for a debatable foul on the Portuguese international. Beckham's free kick was charged down by the defensive wall.
Del Piero was a little too late to get on the end of a fine Camoranesi through ball, but Buffon was tested and got down well to push a Ronaldo strike round the near post.
Buffon was again crucial moments later, parrying Zidane's rising angled drive and Raul incredibly turned the loose ball over from close range.
A scuffle broke out between Olivera and Thomas Gravesen and both were booked for their part in the row. The Uruguayan was more effective on the hour mark, when he ran on to Del Piero's pass and had his shot beaten away by Casillas from the edge of the box.
Zambrotta charged down the left and put in a cross for Emerson, but his header was too close to Casillas and well caught.
Blasi was booked for a foul on Raul and will be suspended for the second leg in Turin. The former Perugia midfielder made way for Alessio Tacchinardi.
A low Ibrahimovic cross was parried by Raul Bravo, then at the other end Zambrotta blocked a Beckham cross with his arm, but the linesman pointed out it was involuntary as he was shielding his face. Zebina was perhaps fortunate to escape when he held Raul's jersey in the area.
Roberto Carlos did well to clear Zambrotta's cross before it could reach the head of Camoranesi at the back post.
Michael Owen replaced Ronaldo for the final 15 minutes, but Buffon was forced into another great save on Figo's cross-shot that was heading for the top corner.
From the resulting corner kick, Buffon was beaten by a Walter Samuel header, but the woodwork again came to his aid.
Capello made a late change in a bid to get back into the game, replacing the quiet Del Piero with striker Marcelo Zalayeta.
Soon after, Ibrahimovic had a great chance to score for Juve by gathering an Emerson through ball, but again his shot was too central and straight at Casillas.
Ibrahimovic sprung the offside trap and a great Roberto Carlos tackle stopped the Swede in his tracks.
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