UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid 1 - Juventus 0The greatness of this Real Madrid team may be fading, but pride remains. Though they scored in the first leg of this tie only through Ivan Helguera's header from a David Beckham free-kick, the superiority over Juventus was pronounced as men like Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos fought to hold on to the distinction they have acquired so honourably over long careers.
For all their fame, few people expect either of these teams to be in this year's final. Juventus have only just been prised off the top of Serie A on goal difference, but this is Fabio Capello's first season in charge and there is much work ahead. At the Bernabeu, Wanderley Luxemburgo, an even newer appointment, is straining to arrest decline.
There was little swagger at the start in the play of sides who met at the semi-final stage as recently as 2003. Pavel Nedved's substantial talent was enough to tilt that tie in the Italian club's favour then, and they were relieved to have him available last night after a month out with a knee problem.
The first notable contribution from the Czech was to inflict exactly that injury on Michel Salgado with a hacking challenge in the third minute. Even a man as indifferent to pain as the Real right-back was unable to persevere for long and had to give way to Raul Bravo.
The appearance of the footballer who floundered as a loan signing at Leeds is its own commentary on the lack of depth in Real's squad. Nonetheless, he had impact here in a clash of heads that ended Nedved's participation after 36 minutes.
Despite that accident, Real were responsible for most of the pleasant images before the interval. The crowd was encouraged by glimmers of flair. Roberto Carlos was ready to sprint with as much freedom and purpose as ever, reaching a pass from Zidane on the left and finding Raul with a low cross that the lunging striker hit against the crossbar in the 24th minute.
Some other moments of frustration had been mundane. A classic combination between Zidane and Raul had no effect, after 10 minutes, because Ronaldo was lethargic in his pursuit of the through ball. Such sloth is not uncommon with the Brazilian but it was still no surprise that he should reclaim his starting place from Michael Owen.
It is said that Ronaldo will be fined by the club for arriving late for training. So, at least, Real have let it be known. The fact that they have not yet gone so far as to confirm this to the striker, however, hints at the special status he enjoys in his career. No wonder he might feel exempt from punctuality or, on the pitch, haste.
Real still dominated the first half and Juventus were undone when their free-flowing opponents were incisive at a free-kick in the 31st minute. Beckham swerved it from the left with his customary expertise and Helguera met the inswinging ball at the near post to head past Gianluigi Buffon.
Capello's team had been conservative without being secure. The passing and desire to influence the game that Emerson possessed made him one of the few Juventus players to rise above the nondescript.
Such mediocrity was stimulating for Real, who are always likely to reach a higher standard in a tournament that is sacred to them. Buffon turned a 25-yarder from Ronaldo around a post in the 55th minute and, two minutes later, the goalkeeper excelled to save Zidane's shot.
Juventus realised an empathic loss was possible and showed more determination to keep some of the action in Real's half. Calm was lost and Thomas Gravesen, booked for a confrontation with the substitute Ruben Olivera, was the subject of some calming words from Beckham when he was on the verge of a second yellow card a few minutes later.
Panic must have affected Olivera, who seemed to handle inside the area to block a ball from Beckham. The Englishman also found Walter Samuel with a corner and his header bounced back off a post as Real continued to insist on their superiority.
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Salgado (Bravo 9), Carlos, Samuel, Helguera, Gravesen, Beckham, Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo (Owen 75), Raul. Subs Not Used: Cesar, Guti, Portillo, Solari, Pavon. Booked: Carlos, Gravesen, Samuel. Goals: Helguera 31.
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zambrotta, Zebina, Cannavaro, Thuram, Emerson, Blasi (Tacchinardi 68), Nedved (Olivera 37), Camoranesi, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero (Zalayeta 81). Subs Not Used: Chimenti, Ferrara, Pessotto, Birindelli. Booked: Thuram, Olivera, Blasi, Del Piero, Tacchinardi.
Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).
