[lfc-news] Juventus report - PA

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Give the gift of life to a sick child.
Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/5iY7fA/6WnJAA/Y3ZIAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

PA Sport, 5 April 2005
Liverpool 2 Juventus 1

Liverpool produced an magnificent performance to beat one of Europe's
finest sides - but are hanging onto their Champions League lives after
conceding a vital away goal.

In a high-tempo first half, Liverpool surged forward to grab fine goals
from Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia to go in at the break two ahead.

Two magnificent goals from Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia gave Liverpool
command in a first half in which they ran Juve ragged with a ferocious,
high-tempo performance.

Rarely have the Italian giants been subjected to such a hounding, in
fact they had conceded only two goals in the tournament before this
emotional quarter-final first leg showdown at Anfield.

But Liverpool could not maintain their dominance and Juventus stormed
back in the second half with a display of control, skill, constant
movement and possession gave Liverpool an insight into what they will
face in next week's return in Turin.

A priceless away goal by Fabio Cannavaro makes the Italians favourites
to go through to the semi-finals after next week's second leg in Turin

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez again opted not to risk Jerzy Dudek's
hamstring injury and gave young goalkeeper Scott Carson his European debut.

Sami Hyypia returned to defence while Benitez opted for a two-man attack
with France Under-21 star Anthony Le Tallec in the starting line-up
alongside Milan Baros.

Juventus had playmaker Pavel Nedved back for the first time since late
February following a head injury, with France striker David Trezeguet on
the bench for the Serie A giants who only conceded two goals in the
Champions League this season before this clash.

Alessio Tacchinardi was suspended while Ciro Ferrara and Olivier Kapo
were also absent for the Turin giants, with the two sides playing their
first competitive fixture since the Heysel disaster of 1985.

Liverpool went at Juventus from the off, and Milan Baros almost forced
his way through straight from the kick-off.

Gerrard was in the thick of it setting the standard with a thunderous
tackle.

His prompting got Steve Finnan in on the right, and his shot crashed
into the side netting.

But Juve were barely rattled and picked off inaccurate passes with ease
to set Alessandro Del Piero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic going.

But from Liverpool's second corner, they stole into the lead.

Gerrard's ball soared in from the right, Luis Garcia flicked it on and
Hyypia arrived on the far post to volley superbly inside the post
leaving Gianluigi Buffon, arguably the world's best keeper, utterly
stranded.

The ease with which the Finnish star struck his shot, and its accuracy,
is not what is usually expected from a defender, and he sat on the pitch
with his arms outstretched to celebrate his second goal of the season.

Gianluca Zambrotta hacked the ball off Baros' toes after 19 minutes,
just a couple yards out, and then Le Tallec got his head in the way of a
cross that was powering towards John Arne Riise, coming in unmarked at
the far post.

Liverpool had surprised the Italians with their pace and strength in
these opening stages, but still the Serie A giants looked awesome in
possession and moved the ball around smoothly.

And amazingly Liverpool went two ahead on 25 minutes. Igor Biscan played
the ball down the right, Le Tallec flicked it on and Garcia surged onto
the ball 25 yards out and hit a sensational dipping drive over the
despairing arms of Buffon.

It was the Spanish international's 10th goal of the season and fourth in
Europe, underlining Benitez's view that he has become critical to
Liverpool's balance in attack.

Juve almost hit straight back from the restart when Nedved set up
Ibrahimovic for a 20 yarder that cannoned back off Carson's right-hand post.

Baros was soon to force his way into the box on the right and see an
angled shot deflected just over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Again the Italians were straight back at Liverpool, and Del Piero was
played in only for Carson to make an outstanding save to his left.

Gerrard's drive, though, was dominating midfield and he battled past
Lilian Thuram to smash a 20-yard effort over the top. Riise and Baros
were soon to test Buffon again as the game flowed from end to end.

Juventus sent on Gianluca Pessotto for Manuele Blasi at the break, with
the intent of curtailing Gerrard's surging runs.

Liverpool had continued to maintain the tempo of the first period, but
Juventus were clearly intent on a more physical approach themselves and
Jonathan Zebina was fortunate not to be booked for a foul on Riise.

Nedved and Ibrahimovic both had efforts that flew wide, but Juve were
getting further forward and Liverpool could ill-afford lapses in
concentration that gifted them the ball, Finnan twice being at fault

Juventus stepped up their search for a lifeline by taking off Del Piero
and sending on David Trezeguet on the hour, with an increasing number of
shots reaching Carson and greater midfield possession than they had
managed at any stage previously.

And the goal the Italians had been threatening arrived on 63 minutes
when Fabio Cannavaro appeared at the far post to meet a Zambrotta cross
and head powerfully down and inside Carson's left hand post with the
young keeper looking to be at fault.

Liverpool then took off Baros and sent on Antonio Nunez, pushing Garcia
forward. Certainly something was needed to wrestle back control of the
match from an increasingly confident Juve.

And it now seemed a question of whether Liverpool could hang onto their
goal advantage, although Riise's surge forward saw a low shot deflected
just wide by Thuram.

Vladimir Smicer replaced the limping Le Tallec on 73 minutes, Liverpool
now under constant pressure as the Italians surged forward with clever
passing and movement.

Paolo Montero came on for the injured Zebina with 10 minutes left, and
despite decent attempts by Nunez and Gerrard, Juventus were in command
and had most of the possession and were searching desperately for the
equaliser.

It did not come, but Liverpool must fear for their future in this
competition next week in Turin.

Liverpool: Carson, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Luis Garcia,
Gerrard, Biscan, Riise, Le Tallec (Smicer 73), Baros (Nunez 66).
Subs not used: Dudek, Alonso,Warnock, Welsh, Potter.
Booked: none
Goals: Hyypia 10, Luis Garcia 25

Juventus: Buffon, Zebina (Montero 81), Cannavaro, Thuram, Zambrotta,
Blasi (Pessotto 45), Emerson, Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero (Trezeguet
61), Ibrahimovic.
Subs not used: Chimenti, Appiah, Olivera, Zalayeta.
Booked: none
Goals: Cannavaro 63

Att: 41,216
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)

GERRARD EXPECTS TOUGH SECOND LEG

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted Juventus' second-half goal in
their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield tonight had set up a
tight second leg next week.

Rafael Benitez's side made a stunning start as they stormed into a 2-0
lead with goals from Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia in the opening 25 minutes.

But Juve responded after the break to claim a crucial away goal when
Scott Carson failed to keep out a Fabio Cannavaro header he should have
dealt with.

Gerrard told ITV Sport: "We're pleased. We have have taken that before
the game. It was such a great atmosphere and we scored two but it was a
blow to concede one.

"I'm sure Scott will be disappointed with it but he stopped one in the
first half that was one of the best saves I have seen this season.

"He will learn and now Scott or Jerzy (Dudek) need to keep a clean sheet
for us in the second leg.

"I don't think we'll play for a 0-0. We have got the ability to nick a
goal over there. That will be the game plan, to keep a clean sheet and
nick a goal.

"A clean sheet and we're in the last four of the competition. That would
be magnificent."

Hyypia, who struck with a left-foot volley after 10 minutes, admits
there is a lot of hard work still to do in Turin next week.

The Finn said: "It is half-time at 2-1. We have a difficult game at
their place next week. We will have to work hard to get the result there.

"We do not fear anyone. They are a good team and it is going to be hard
but we showed today we can win."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/