Ajax go out as Juventus claim fifth 1-0 win

Ajax Amsterdam were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday after Juventus recorded their fifth 1-0 victory in a row in Group C.

Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta's goal after 15 minutes was enough to hand Juve, who had already qualified for the next round, the three points.

Zalayeta slotted home after Ajax's Brazilian defender Maxwell was caught in possession by Mauro Camoranesi who slipped the ball into the path of the big striker.

Juventus lead the group with a maximum 15 points and Bayern Munich secured second place with a 5-1 victory over bottom club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Ajax are in third place on three points and must beat Bayern in their final game to be sure of a consolation place in the UEFA Cup.

In front of less than 7,000 fans in the cavernous Delle Alpi stadium, Juventus fielded a stronger than expected line-up with European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved starting in a full-strength midfield.

But once again it was Juve's defence -- which has not conceded a single goal in the tournament so far -- that proved to be the key to their success with Frenchman Lilian Thuram majestic at centre-half once again.

Ajax, as so often, produced some attractive football in midfield but lacked bite in attack, a problem they have struggled with since Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic moved to Juventus.

Ibrahimovic had a quiet night but his partner Zalayeta is enjoying his run in the side in place of the injured David Trezeguet.

While the Uruguayan showed great composure again, the error by Maxwell, frequently linked with a transfer to Juve, proved to be the decisive moment.

"I was just getting the ball under control and I never expected Camoranesi to come on to me so quickly," Maxwell told Italy's Sky Sport.

Ajax's main threat came from midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and it was the Dutchmen who went close to an equaliser in the 27th minute with a superb free kick which was spectacularly pushed wide by Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve could have extended their lead after the break when Maxwell made ammends for his earlier error by clearing an Emerson header off the line.

Ajax's only effort on goal after the break came from 17-year-old Ryan Babel who produced an impressive shot on the turn from the edge of the area which almost caught Buffon by surprise.

Chances were rare for both sides and it was not until the final minute when another of Juve's Uruguayans, substitute Ruben Olivera, fired a free kick just wide.

Juve may not be offering much entertainment but with their form in the group so far they look the hardest team to beat in Europe at the moment.