JUVENTUS stormed into their second successive European Cup final last night with a 6-2 aggregate win over Dutch champions Ajax in Turin.
Attilio Lombardo opened the scoring after 34 minutes and then laid on the second two minutes later for Christian Vieri. Nicola Amoruso and Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, in another two minute burst 10 minutes from the end, ensured a comfoitable victory.
Mario Melchiot scored a consolation goal for the Dutch, who had lost to Juventus on penalties in last year's final in Rome.
Ajax dominated the early play before a 70,000 crowd, creating three good scoring chances. A mistake by midfielder Angelo Di Livio allowed Ajax winger Tijjani Babangida to move in on goal unmarked in the fifth minute, but the Nigerian's strike flew just wide.
Five minutes later, Babangida was freed by a Ronald de Boer pass, but the Italians managed to clear.
Lombardo then escaped his marker after a corner and sent a glancing header past Dutch goal keeper Edwin van der Sar.
Ajax did not have time to recover before Lombardo streaked up the left flank and sent a sharp cross to Vieri, who stretched to fire home his fourth Champions' League goal.
The Italians, who needed only a draw to reach the final following a 2-1 first leg win in Amsterdam two weeks ago, slammed the door shut with another pair of back to back goals immediately after defender Melchiot scored for Ajax. Amoruso, on as Vieri's substitute, slotted in a pass from Zidane, who then scored himself in the 80th minute.
