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European excellence Barca counting on Champions League form against JuvePosted: Monday April 21, 2003 10:44 AMBARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Unbeaten in 15 Champions League matches but stuck in 12th place in the Spanish league, FC Barcelona aims to reproduce its European excellence against Italian champion Juventus in Tuesday's second-leg quarterfinal at the Camp Nou stadium. The stakes are high for Barcelona, which holds a slight advantage after battling to a 1-1 draw against the two-time European champion in Turin nearly two weeks ago. Argentine forward Javier Saviola leveled late for the Catalan team after Juventus' Uruguayan defender Paolo Montero had opened the scoring in the first half. The draw was only Barcelona's second in this season's competition. The Catalan team, which won the title in 1992, has won its 13 other games, including seven at the Camp Nou. "It's vital that our play on Tuesday is not conditioned by the scoreline from the first leg," Barcelona's Serbian coach Radomir Antic said Monday. "We must be daring. We have to go for goal. And we have the added advantage of our home support." A victory or a scoreless draw in front of an expected 98,000 crowd would send Barcelona into the semifinals, where it would meet either Real Madrid or Manchester United on May 6 and 14. Madrid takes a 3-1 lead into Wednesday's game with United at Old Trafford. A defeat or a high-scoring draw would not only eliminate the Catalan team, but also lead to a prolonged absence from the Champions League. Barcelona's poor league form has endangered its chances of playing for the European title or the UEFA Cup next season. "During the game, we mustn't get deceived," Antic said. "We're playing a team which uses psychology to the limit. Juventus doesn't foul much but it has players who are specialists, who know when to foul. But I don't think of losing. I'm always positive in my thoughts." Juventus coach Marcello Lippi said after the first leg that despite his team's failure to win, Tuesday's match is not weighted in Barcelona's favor. "Despite playing in front of a 100,000 fans, I don't think it will be easy for Barcelona to beat Juventus," Lippi said. Both teams earned encouraging results in league play Saturday as well as avoiding injuries. Barcelona drew 1-1 at league leader Real Madrid, even though there is a 24-point gulf between Spain's two powerhouses in the standings. "Just because we played at Madrid doesn't give us excuses," Antic said. "When you are faced with a great challenge, all tiredness disappears. And tomorrow is a great challenge. Our aim is to reach the semifinals and the players are showing the right attitude. Juventus earned a 2-1 win over AS Roma thanks to two goals by forward Alessandro del Piero, his first since January. Lippi's team stands six points clear at the top of the Italian league with five rounds to play and looks set to repeat its title success of last season. Barcelona continues to be without Dutch international midfielder Philip Cocu, who tore a knee ligament nearly two months ago, while right back Gabri Garcia is suspended. Yet Antic's side has been strengthened by the return of former Spanish international Luis Enrique Martinez after a season plagued by injury. The forward scored Barcelona's goal in Saturday's draw at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Saviola will be available on Tuesday after missing the Madrid game through suspension. "It's good to have Saviola back again. Luis Enrique knows how to link up the midfield and the attack," Antic said. Juventus striker David Trezeguet is ruled out due to his dislocated shoulder, while defender Mark Iuliano, recovering from a sore throat, may return. Chilean forward Marcelo Salas is out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery. |
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