Champions League - 22 Feb 2005 - 11:25 PM
And the first round goes to Real Madrid
Real Madrid win the first leg match of Champions’ League last 16 tie, beating the Bianconeri thanks to Helguera’s goal on 31’ minutes into the first half.
In a sold-out Bernabeu, Real Madrid and Juventus stage a show worth the expectations. An exciting but also nervous match, with 8 yellow cards. It is emotional from the very first minutes. It’s Capello’s squad who attacks first with the Del Piero-Emerson partnership, but El Puma’s shot on 5’ minutes is over the bar. The same is for Ronaldo’s finish served by Roberto Carlos (9’). Luxemburgo replaces injured Salgado with Raul Bravo. The first time Buffon is called into action is on 10’ minutes when Ronaldo is pushed to goal by Figo’s assist. After 27 minutes, Casillas neutralizes Nedved’s drive on Ibrahimovic’s assist, after the Czech had kicked his powerful shot over the bar. Good action by Zidane when, after 24’ minutes, he serves Roberto Carlos, crosses to Raul and the latter’s kick hits the crossbar and gets out. It’s Merengues’ captain again in attack but Buffon saves. After 29 minutes Emerson’s fine finish is deflected into corner by Casillas. The advantage goal for Real Madrid comes on 31’ minutes: a free kick for Beckham from the left flank, Helguera rises, nodding the ball in (1-0). 5 minutes later and Nedved is out for injury, substituted by Olivera.
Real Madrid start the second half in attack. After only 3 minutes, Buffon is called into action on Roberto Carlos’s cross from the left flank, he punches the ball away, Figo intercepts it but his attempt cannot find the target. Buffon is essential again on 11’ minutes when he saves Ronaldo’s finish and on 12’ minutes when he clears Zidane’s shot, then Raul grabs the ball but shoots it over the line. Capello’s side gets dangerous on 17’ minutes when Olivera fires a powerful shot then saved by Casillas.
It’s Juventus again on 29’ minutes: Camoranesi shoots in the midfield for Emerson’s head and Merengues’ goalkeeper intercepts the ball. After 32 minutes, Figo shoots on goal but Buffon deflects it into corner. After the corner shot, Samuel’s header hit the post. After replacing Blasi with Tacchinardi, Capello substitutes Del Piero with Zalayeta. On 36’ minutes, Ibrahimovic’s attempt on goal is cleared by Casillas. The second leg match is due in fifteen days at the Delle Alpi, and it will be time to catch up.
REAL MADRID - JUVENTUS 1-0
GOALS: 31'fh Helguera
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Salgado (9'fh Raul Bravo), Helguera, Samuel, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, Gravesen, Zidane, Figo, Raul, Ronaldo (31'sh Owen).
Manager: Luxemburgo.
Substitutes: Cesar, Owen, Guti, Raul Bravo, Portillo, Solari, Pavon.
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Blasi (24'sh Tacchinardi), Emerson, Nedved (36'fh Olivera), Del Piero (36'sh Zalayeta), Ibrahimovic.
Manager: Capello.
Substitutes: Chimenti, Ferrara, Tacchinardi, Pessotto, Birindelli, Olivera, Zalayeta.
REFEREE: Lubos Michel
YELLOW CARDS: 22'fh Thuram, 30'fh Roberto Carlos, 16'sh Olivera, 16'sh Gravesen, 20'sh Blasi, 29'sh Samuel, 34'sh Del Piero, 35'sh Tacchinardi
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