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Group D Roundup Juve loses to Basel but advances; Depor downs Man UtdPosted: Tuesday March 18, 2003 4:57 PMUpdated: Tuesday March 18, 2003 7:07 PM
BASEL (Reuters) -- Juventus clinched their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the fifth time on Tuesday despite losing 2-1 to Basel in their Group D clash. Basel, the first team from Switzerland to have reached the second group stage, needed to win by at least four goals to have any hope of making progress to the last eight at Juventus' expense and found the task beyond them. But they at least went out in a victorious fashion thanks to a goal by their Argentine striker Christian Gimenez in the second minute of added time at the end of the game. Gimenez fired in the winner from a corner by substitute Carlos Varela. It was the Juventus' first ever defeat by a Swiss side and spelt a measure of revenge for Basel who had been thrashed 4-0 in Turin in December. Juventus, Basel and Deportivo Coruna all finished on seven points but it was Juventus who went through because they had better results against the other two. Manchester United topped the group on 13. "I said it was not going to be a formality," said Juventus coach Marcello Lippi after Tuesday's defeat. "We found it very difficult because we had some players struggling physically and we lost our concentration after taking the lead." Played well Basel coach Christian Gross said: "I am proud of my players and very happy with their performance. They played very well in the second half." Juventus, oozing confidence despite a poor away record in Europe, took control early on and silenced the partisan home crowd of 30,500 when they took the lead after only 10 minutes with a stunning goal from midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi. Collecting a crossfield pass from Cristian Zenoni, Tacchinardi fired a rising left foot drive high beyond goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler from 30 meters to extinguish any realistic Basel hopes. The Swiss side fought back and leveled after 38 minutes when Scott Chipperfield clipped the ball in from the left, Mark Iuliano could only head it on and Mario Cantaluppi volleyed past Gianluigi Buffon from close range. Basel created further chances when they raised the tempo and Hakan Yakin, Chipperfield and Julio Hernan Rossi all forced decent saves from Buffon before the interval. Cristian Gimenez hit the bar after 67 minutes during a scramble, but the Juventus defense cleared when the ball bounced downwards close to the line and afterwards closed ranks and rode their luck in classic fashion to deny the Swiss team any further clear openings until Gimenez's late strike from six meters. Gross satisfied with win; Lippi happy to qualifyBASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) -- Juventus coach Marcello Lippi paid a rich tribute to Swiss rivals Basel on Tuesday. He sighed with relief after seeing his team defeated 2-1, but still qualify for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. "When we were a goal ahead we seemed to be in control, but Basel showed the character of a great team in the way they fought back and played against us, especially in the second half," he said. "I am very happy that we have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League, but this was not easy for us. We lost our concentration and we were not at our best and we lost some players with physical problems. "But Basel played very well and they deserved their win, even though it might have been different if Alessandro Del Piero had taken a chance in the final minute of normal time in the game." Midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi fired Juventus ahead after 10 minutes with a dazzling 30-meters drive, but Basel drew level with a volley from Mario Cantaluppi after 38 minutes and then snatched victory in the second minute of added time when Christian Gimenez scored from close range following a corner. "Everyone said it was a formality for us, but this showed it was not an easy game and I think we lost some concentration because we went ahead so early on," added Lippi. Basel coach Christian Gross overcame his disappointment at finishing third in the group, equal on seven points with Juventus, but behind them on goals difference in the fixtures between them. Verry difficult "I am happy with my team and with their performance," he said. "I knew when we went a goal behind that it would be very, very difficult so at halftime I told the players that the most important thing was to win the game. "We played very well and we did that so I am satisfied. I was not happy at the start of the match when Juventus scored and we seemed to lose our way a bit. But we came back and showed what we are capable of doing." Gross said he felt that his Basel side had grown up throughout the season by playing Champions League football and were now superior to their rivals in Switzerland. "I think this is a strong team, not only technically, but also mentally and they have shown that in this game and many other times." Summary: Basel 2 Juventus 1 -- result Champions League second phase, Group D Scorers: Basel -- Mario Cantaluppi 38, Christian Gimenez 90+2 Juventus -- Alessio Tacchinardi 10 Halftime: 1-1; Attendance: 30,501 Teams: Basel: 1-Pascal Zuberbuehler; 20-Bernt Haas, 5-Marco Zwyssig, 15-Murat Yakin, 24-Thimothee Atouba; 12-Sebastien Barberis (6-Benjamin Huggel 56), 17-Mario Cantaluppi, 26-Scott Chipperfield, 10-Hakan Yakin (8-Carlos Varela 78), 13-Christian Gimenez, 33-Julio Hernan Rossi (11-Herve Tum 72). Juventus: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 21-Lilian Thuram (10-Alessandro Del Piero 69) 4-Paolo Montero, 13-Mark Iuliano, 15-Alessandro Birindelli; 5-Igor Tudor (7-Gianluca Pessotto 46), 3-Alessio Tacchinardi; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 11-Pavel Nedved, 14-Cristian Zenoni; 17-David Trezeguet (9-Marcelo Salas 30). Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany). Deportivo bows out with 2-0 win over Man UtdLA CORUNA, Spain (Reuters) -- Deportivo Coruna bowed out of the Champions League with a deserved 2-0 win in their final second phase match against a weakened side put out by Group D winners Manchester United on Tuesday. A first half tap-in from midfielder Victor and an own goal from debutant defender Mark Lynch sealed United's second defeat in 24 Champions League games and ensured Javier Irureta's side of a consolation final victory. Deportivo coach Irureta, with half an eye on Sunday's top-of-the-table clash against Real Madrid, fielded a largely second string side with Dani Mallo getting his European debut in goal. United had already secured qualification a month ago and Alex Ferguson also put out an inexperienced side, but despite the fact there was little at stake other than pride, the match began in lively fashion. Ferguson's hard-running youngsters looked keen to impress the United boss, while the home side appeared anxious to salvage some pride after their disappointing exit from this season's competition. Deportivo were the first to show when Paraguayan midfielder Roberto Acuna fired off a low drive from 25 meters out that ended up skimming past the post. A minute later Albert Luque combined well with midfielder Fran to open up the United defense, but the Depor striker was denied when reserve keeper Ricardo got the slightest of touches to his angled shot to send it spinning past the far post. The more experienced Deportivo increasingly dominated the possession in midfield and successfully restricted United to a few isolated chances. United winger Ryan Giggs made a typical mazy run into the Deportivo area after 21 minutes, but eventually found his way blocked by Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade, while Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan tried his luck on several occasions from long distance. Outstripped But Deportivo eventually made their pressure tell after 32 minutes when the impressive Luque outstripped a sluggish-looking Laurent Blanc on the right. He raced past the 37-year-old Frenchman, drew keeper Ricardo and then slipped superb pass to the feet of the advancing Victor who was left with the simple task of tapping in. Deportivo extended their lead two minutes after the break after excellent work by Victor on the right. The Deportivo midfielder, who has only recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off, teased his way past Danny Pugh before sending in a neat cross to the far post where Lynch headed into his own neat as he tried to fend off the waiting Luque. United came close to pulling narrowing the gap midway through the half. Darren Fletcher saw his well-struck 20-meter drive cleared off the line by Cesar, while Giggs was denied by the post after he had turned and shot from the edge of the area. Nicky Butt nearly snatched a late consolation with a snap shot in the closing minutes but the United youngsters had little reward for their hard work. Deportivo can now turn their attentions to domestic affairs as they renew their bid for the title when they visit the Bernabeu on Sunday, while United can look forward to their seventh successive appearance in the quarterfinals. Ferguson gives thumbs-up to United youngstersLA CORUNA, Spain (Reuters) -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson praised his young side despite a 2-0 defeat by already-eliminated Deportivo Coruna in their final second phase match on Tuesday. With a place in the last eight as Group D winners already secured, Ferguson fielded an inexperienced side including Champions League debutants Mark Lynch and Lee Roche against the Spaniards. "I was satisfied with the performance of the youngsters, even if they did lack a little strength compared to the more experienced Deportivo players," Ferguson told reporters. "There were some good moments in the game and I was pleased at their enthusiasm and attitude." Deportivo bowed out of the competition with a consolation victory thanks to a first half tap-in from midfielder Victor and an own goal from Lynch early in the second half, but United's new look side had some promising moments. "As we were already qualified what I was looking for the team to give a good United-style performance and we did just that so I am pleased," said Ferguson who went on to look ahead to his side's likely rivals in the last eight. "Now I would be very happy if we got Real Madrid in the next round because it would be a good challenge for us," he said. "They are a great team with great players... and it would be a test for us, but also for them because we have improved and grown a lot as a team." Deportivo coach Javier Irureta, whose side were eliminated last week after a 3-2 defeat against Juventus, said he had mixed feelings after his side's last game in this season's competition. "It was a nice way for us to finish, but I still regret the last minute goal from Juventus that put us out last week. It is a real shame we didn't manage to qualify," he said. "Today was a day for the fans to enjoy and with our performance and our victory they did just that." Irureta went on to signal United as one of the likely winners of the Champions League. "Along with Arsenal and Real Madrid I think Manchester United are the main favorites to win the competition," he said. Summary: Deportivo Coruna 2 Manchester United 0 -- result Champions League second phase, Group D Scorers: Victor 32, Mark Lynch 47og Halftime: 1-0; Attendance: 20,000 Teams: Deportivo Coruna: 13-Dani Mallo; 2-Manuel Pablo, 5-Cesar, 14-Jorge Andrade (17-Goran Djorovic 64), 15-Joan Capdevila; 18-Victor (24-Hector 78), 23-Aldo Duscher, 22-Roberto Acuna, 10-Fran (12-Lionel Scaloni 52), 21-Juan Carlos Valeron; 19-Albert Luque Manchester United: 19-Ricardo; 38-Mark Lynch, 34-Lee Roche (17-Michael Stewart 46), 5-Laurent Blanc, 22-John O'Shea, 26-Danny Pugh; 31-Darren Fletcher, 3-Phil Neville, 8-Nicky Butt; 11-Ryan Giggs (42-Kieran Richardson 72), 21-Diego Forlan (37-Daniel Webber 72) Referee: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia) Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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