Camoranesi header enough for Juve

A first-half header from Argentine Mauro Camoranesi gave Juventus a 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in their Champions League Group C match on Tuesday, securing the Italians the maximum six points from two games.

Camoranesi, not noted for his ability in the air, powerfully headed home after goalkeeper Liran Strauber flailed at a Pavel Nedved corner in the 37th minute.

It was enough to win a disappointing match played in front of a feeble crowd of just over 6,400 but Juventus coach Fabio Capello was content with the three points.

"It wasn't easy on that poor surface and they defended very well. But I am happy with what we did -- we were dangerous often enough but we weren't able to finish them off," he said.

Juve never managed to find a rhythm against a well-organised Maccabi side who showed with their discipline and work-rate that they certainly merit their first appearance in the group stage.

Maccabi coach Nir Klinger felt his side could have left the Delle Alpi stadium with at least a point from a game that never really came alive.

"We were a bit naive and with a little more ambition and belief we could get some great results in Europe," he said.

"We are getting better and better and don't forget we are a very young team. We performed well but in the end the result is very disappointing," he added.

After a slow start Juventus produced the first serious effort on goal in the 18th minute when midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi flashed a header over from a corner.

Maccabi looked solid at the back though and confident in midfield with Brazilian Bruno Reis the main creative force, although too often his options were limited.

It was Reis who created an opening for Maccabi in the 21st minute, slipping a pass into the path of Ghanaian striker Ishmael Addo who fired just wide of Gianluigi Buffon's post.

There was little urgency or fluidity in Juve's play there was relief in the home crowd when they broke the deadlock with Camoranesi's header.

Just before the break Juve's French striker David Trezeguet fired a sweet shot just over the bar from over 20 metres out but apart from a couple of long-range shots from Nedved and an effort from Zlatan Ibrahimovic which was disallowed for offside, Juve produced very little after the break.

Maccabi reminded Capello's side that the game was not yet over when in the 74th minute a thundering long-range shot from Tamir Cohen forced a diving save out of keeper Buffon.

It took another set-piece for Juve to finally bring Maccabi keeper Strauber back into action as he did well to turn over an Igor Tudor header at the end of a low-key encounter.