Arsenal (2) 3 - 1 (0) Juventus
Highbury, Tuesday 4th December 2001
UEFA Champs League
scorers: Freddie 2 Trezeguet
Henry
You'll see Juve's goal credited as a Stuart Taylor own
goal. Technically, they're right. But I'm giving it to
Trezeguet.
Why? Because it's not fair on Stuart, that after
another great performance from the 3rd choice Arsenal keeper,
he should have that mark against his name when the goals
arising from the errors of Barthez (and Wright) get
credited to the strikers.
Juve's goal, coming at the start of the second half
when it was 2-0 to Arsenal, came from a great Taylor
save (another great Taylor save) from the
irresistable Del Piero which unfortunately fell to
Trezeguet. The French striker's shot was blocked
brilliantly on the line by Sol Campbell and bounced
back into the net off of Taylor as he tried to recover
his feet from the save.
There will be a full report here later. For now,
I just can't finish without mentioning Freddie Ljungberg.
That red patch in his hair, it's not dye you know. It's
just the Arsenal red streak that runs through his body,
seeping out through the top of his head.
Another fantastic performance from the midfield dynamo.
Two great goals. The first after Vieira's superb ball
control and shot was spilled by Buffon and Freddie popped
up to score. Great determination and awareness from the Swede, and Buffon
had recovered well so it wasn't the easiest of finishes either.
The second came at the death after Henry had gone off and
Freddie had moved up front alongside Bergkamp. There was
a classic bit of Dennis as he held the ball just inside the
corner of the box for ages, then flicked the ball through
for Freddie to run onto and lift over the outrushing keeper
(shades of his first ever goal for Arsenal). Oh yeah,
it was Freddie's break that put Dennis in that position
(after a nice move involving Grimandi, Vieira, and errrr,
the ref).
In between these, a delightful and unstoppable free-kick
by Henry.
Bayer Leverkusen beat Deportivo in Germany 3-0, which
opens the group right up with all 4 teams on 3 points.
Juventus stay top of the group on goal difference.
More to come...! (reports page now has list of links to reports on other sites)
We're very sorry for misleading US gooners by saying that ESPN were showing the game. Apparently they had originally
been planning no showing the game but cancelled it in October in favour of a programme about an NFL star who died many years ago. Then the day before yesterday they sent out the old schedule to various listings services.
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