Football: Juventus underline classy pedigree
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ajax 1 Juventus 2
A slick Juventus side were deserved winners in the first leg of their European Cup semi-final last night, giving the Amsterdam club a mountain to climb in the return match in Italy.
In a re-run of last year's tense final, Juventus outclassed Ajax in the first half and defended well after the break. The victory underlined the Italians' pedigree in the competition they won last year on penalties after drawing 1-1 in normal time with Ajax, who have won the cup four times in their illustrious history.
Juventus took the lead in the 14th minute when a quick pass from Vladimir Jugovic set up Nicola Amoruso, who slid the ball past Edwin van der Sar in the Ajax goal.
The Ajax coach, Louis van Gaal, responded by pulling off Kiki Musampa and replacing him with Winston Bogarde, who will play for Milan next season. But Bogarde was nowhere to be seen in the 41st minute when the Frenchman, Didier Deschamps, slipped a neat pass to Christian Vieri, who calmly stroked the ball low past Van der Sar's left hand.
Jari Litmanen, the Finnish international, struck in the 66th minute to pull one back for Ajax, after an incisive pass by Richard Witschge sprang the Juventus offside trap.
Ajax fought back well after Litmanen's goal but the visitors' well-organised defence kept them at bay and Zinedine Zidane missed a good chance to add a third for Juventus in the 88th minute when he shot wide with only Van der Sar to beat.
Juventus, currently six points clear at the top of Italy's Serie A, were without the injured Alessandro del Piero and Michele Padovano, Moreno Torricelli and Antonio Conte. Ajax were missing their top striker, Patrick Kluivert, who underwent knee surgery yesterday and may miss the rest of the season.
Ajax: Van der Sar; Blind, F de Boer, Musampa (Bogarde, 27), Witschge (Dani, 70), Scholten (Wooter, 77), Melchiot, Litmanen, Overmars, R de Boer, Babangida.
Juventus: Peruzzi; Montero, Ferrara, Porrini, Pessotto, Deschamps, Jugovic (Lombardo, 86), Di Livio (Tacchinardi, 69), Amoruso, Vieri, Zidane.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments