 |
|
UEFA Champions League: Juventus victory overshadowed by Vieira red card [Thu Sep 15th, 2005]
Bruges (Reuters) - Italian champions Juventus opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a scrappy 2-1 victory in Bruges, ending the match with 10 men after Patrick Vieira was sent off in the last minute.
Former Arsenal midfielder Vieira was dismissed for a second bookable offence after the stubborn home side had given their illustrious visitors a fright.
"Patrick's sending off is disappointing," Juventus coach Fabio Capello said. "But we have to just get on with it and find a replacement.
"We came here to win and we did that, so we look at the next game. We created plenty of chances and I believe the squad we have is capable of winning the tournament."
Second-half goals from Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet had put Juventus in control, but Bruges hit back in the 85th minute through Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo to set up a pulsating finish.
With German champions Bayern Munich also in Group A, Bruges have a tough task to reach the knockout phase, although coach Jan Cuelemans is still hopeful of at least a UEFA Cup spot.
"We played well and could have snatched something," he said. "But when you are in a group with Juventus and Bayern Munich, you have to hope for the UEFA Cup after Christmas."
Bruges weathered an early storm to keep the Italians scoreless at the interval, thanks mainly to the goalkeeping of Stijn Stijnen who defied Nedved, Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Juventus finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when Nedved placed his free kick into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.
They doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Trezeguet latched on to a delightful through ball from Mauro Camoranesi before lobbing the oncoming goalkeeper.
The Jan Breydelstadion erupted in the 85th minute when Yulu-Matondo headed Bruges a lifeline after Juventus failed to clear a corner.
However, despite the sending-off of Vieira, Juventus held on to start their European campaign with three points.
News headlines from around the world.