Real Madrid-Juventus: The Reaction Of The Italian Press
Following yesterday's 1-2 defeat against Real Madrid, the Italian press praises Juve's performance and stresses the unusual decision of the referee, who didn't disallow Roberto Carlos' winner despite the raised flag of the linesman.
Following yesterday's 1-2 defeat against Real Madrid, the Italian press praises Juve's performance and stresses the unusual decision of the referee, who didn't disallow Roberto Carlos' winner despite the raised flag of the linesman.
However, nobody doubts the legitimacy of Real's victory, especially for what Del Bosque's men were able to do in the first half.
The most important sports newspaper of the country, "La Gazzetta dello Sport" titles "Juve are still standing. First the suffering, then the reaction: the 1-2 is full of hope". Best players: Buffon, Zidane 7.5, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ferrara 7. Worst players: Iuliano, Del Piero 5, Birindelli, Helguera, Guti, Morientes 5.5.
In his editorial, former director Candido Cannavò praises the solidity of the Bianconeri and thinks that Lippi's men have very good chances to reach the final: "Juve have lost, but it's one of those defeats that give strength and hope. The Spanish side dominated the first half, but following Trezeguet's equalizer the Bianconeri took profit of Real's confusion and went close to a huge achievement. Precisely in their best moment, the Bianconeri suffered the second goal and this was a huge blow: however, the second leg could be a different story, especially with the comeback of a key player like Edgar Davids".
Another sports newspaper, "Tuttosport", which is based precisely in Turin, titles "Arriba Trezegol: Juve can make it to the final". Best players: Zidane 7.5, Del Piero, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos 7. Worst players: Nedved 5, Birindelli 5.5.
Director Giancarlo Padovan stresses the fact that Roberto Carlos' winning goal should have been disallowed: "This is the Bernabeu, this is Real. In the stadium where every referee is ready to genuflect in front of everything but a raised flag, Juve faced a power which is bigger than theirs. However, it must be stressed that Real didn't only win because of that dubious decision: the Spanish side showed a huge quality, especially in the central part of the first half and in the final minutes of the match".
Finally, "La Stampa", another newspaper based in Turin, titles "Trezeguet keeps Juve alive: Real will suffer in Turin". Best players: Zambrotta, Ferrara, Thuram, Zidane 7. Worst players: Camoranesi 5, Morientes, Portillo 5.5.
Correspondent Marco Ansaldo says: "Waiting to play tonight's semifinal against Milan, Inter sent their former stars Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos to decide the other one. Real will travel to Turin with a slight 2-1 win, and knowing their offensive strength this could be enough for them to advance. But Juve didn't collapse and made everything they could with such a depleted lineup: Lippi's men played a defensive match, but they were never overwhelmed, excepting the last minutes of the match".