Juventus survive Swedish scare
Tuesday, 10 August 2004
[1] Juventus FC denied Swedish title-holders Djurgårdens IF a shock victory with two goals in the second half of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first-leg tie.
Hope
[2] The two-times European champions trailed 2-0 early in the second half in Turin but David Trezeguet and Emerson spared their blushes - and gave them hope of advancing to the group stage in the return leg on 25 August.
Attacking lineup
[3] Without the injured Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi, and Jonathan Zebina who was suspended, Fabio Capello fielded an attacking lineup with Fabrizio Miccoli alongside Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero up front. Djurgården coach Kjell Jonevret, meanwhile, started with Tobias Hysén in attack supported by Fredrik Stenman out on the left flank and Abgar Barsom on the right.
Buffon saves
[4] The Swedish side started the game brightly and Gianluigi Buffon blocked a long-range shot by right-back Matias Concha after just a minute. The Italy goalkeeper was forced to make a superb one-handed save two minutes later to keep out Stenman's close-range header following a cross from the right by Johan Arneng.
Torrential rain
[5] Playing in torrential rain, Juventus raised their game as the first half approached the midway point but still failed to create any real problems for the well-organised Swedish defence. Finally, after 37 minutes, they did find a way through the Djurgården back line when Emerson connected strongly with a Del Piero cross but Gambian goalkeeper Pa Dembo Tourray was equal to his header.
Johansson converts penalty
[6] Then, in the last minute of the first half, Djurgården took the lead. German referee Herbert Fandel awarded the Swedish side a penalty for a foul committed by Alessio Tacchinardi on Arneng and Andreas Johansson sent Buffon the wrong way from the spot.
Deficit reduced
[7] Things got worse for Juventus four minutes into the second half when Djurgården scored their second goal through Hysén's precise finish after he had played a clever one-two with Stenman. The visitors had barely finished celebrating, however, when Trezeguet reduced the deficit, stopping a low shot by Gianluca Zambrotta before beating Tourray from close range.
Djurgården hold on
[8] Capello replaced Tacchinardi with Rubén Olivera and the Uruguayan repaid the trust of his coach just before the hour as he crossed to Emerson who headed the Bianconeri level. Two minutes later, Juventus were very nearly in front only for Tourray to keep out a powerful shot by Miccoli. There were further chances for Trezeguet and Miccoli again but Djurgården held on for the draw.