 |
| |
|
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||
|
Odd couple Form no guide for Juventus' clash with BarcaPosted: Tuesday April 08, 2003 8:39 AMTURIN, Italy (Reuters) -- Juventus faces Barcelona in their Champions League quarterfinal, first leg on Wednesday, a match in which there is little point looking to domestic form for a clue to the possible outcome. Marcello Lippi's Juve lead Serie A by five points from Inter Milan - a margin that suggests their 27th scudetto will not be long arriving. The Italians' form in Europe, however, has been less predictable. In the second group phase, back-to-back defeats by Manchester United was the prelude to a 2-1 loss to Swiss side Basel. In contrast, Barcelona has been the most impressive side in this season's Champions League, winning 13 and drawing one of its 14 games in the group stages and qualifying round. Its form in the Spanish league, however, is another story. A 2-0 defeat to Villarreal on Sunday left it marooned in mid-table, raising questions about how a team that performs so efficiently against the cream of Europe could play so dismally at home. Despite his opponent's devastating European form, Juventus coach Marcello Lippi said he was delighted to have been paired with it in the quarterfinals. "It's not just for technical reasons that I'm happy, but also because I've never faced Barcelona before in my career," he said. "It will be a fascinating and exciting match." Lippi's plans have been disrupted by a shoulder injury to French striker David Trezeguet, leaving his striking options limited as Chilean Marcelo Salas is also sidelined while Marco Di Vaio is not yet ready for a full 90 minutes. Trezeguet's regular partner, Alessandro Del Piero, has not yet regained his best form after returning from a two-month layoff. Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta is likely to partner Del Piero in attack, with Di Vaio poised to come off the bench if needed. Nedved hopeful Influential Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved is carrying a thigh injury but trained Monday and is hoping to be fit. Barcelona coach Radomir Antic will make a late decision on the fitness of Dutch defender Frank de Boer after he twisted an ankle against Villarreal. Swedish international Patrik Andersson stands by. Luis Enrique has been passed fit to rejoin the squad after a month out with a muscle tear and the influential former Spanish international could be called on as a substitute if needed. The job of minding Nedved is likely to go to fast-improving Thiago Motta. "It'll be difficult but I relish this sort of job," the 20-year-old Brazilian said. "He's a great player but it will be good for me to be next to a player of his quality. He plays well with both feet and his a fierce shot. I'll do everything to make sure he doesn't have a good game." The teams have met in three previous two-legged European ties, with Juve successful in the 1970-71 Fairs Cup but the Spanish team going through in both the 1986 European Cup quarterfinals and the 1991 Cup Winners' Cup semis. Juventus vs. Barcelona -- StatboxWednesday, April 9, KO 1845 GMT, Delle Alpi, Turin. Champions League quarter-final, first leg Head-to-head record:
Previous meetings:
Juventus:
Barcelona:
Champions League results 2002-03
Notes: Apart from one notable blip, a stunning 0-3 reverse to Manchester United, Juventus have been outstanding at home this season, winning five of six games and scoring 16 goals in the process. They have an excellent home record too against Spanish clubs, losing just one match in Turin -- and that was to Real Madrid more than 40 years ago. Barcelona's record-breaking European form, in sharp contrast to its mediocre league displays, has been astonishing. Thirteen wins and one draw in 14 games speaks for itself. Barcelona broke a Champions League record with 11 consecutive wins and equalled Ajax Amsterdam's all-time mark of successive victories in any European competition. Their record against Italian teams too suggests they can travel without fear. They have lost only three times in 13 visits to Italy. Juventus's record v Spanish clubs: P37 W15 D8 L14 F45 A43
Probable teams: Juventus: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 21-Lilian Thuram, 4-Paolo Montero, 2-Ciro Ferrara, 19-Gianluca Zambrotta; 16-Mauro Camoranesi, 26-Edgar Davids, 3-Alessio Tacchinardi, 11-Pavel Nedved, 10-Alessandro Del Piero, 25-Marcelo Zalayeta. Barcelona: 1-Roberto Bonano; 18-Gabri, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Patrik Andersson or 3-Frank de Boer, 2-Michael Reiziger; 11-Marc Overmars, 6-Xavi, 31-Thiago Motta, 10-Juan Roman Riquelme; 7-Javier Saviola, 9-Patrick Kluivert Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||||
