Italians give Spanish the boot

Marcelo Zalayeta was the extra-time hero for Juventus and Christian Vieri scored the vital goal for Inter Milan on Tuesday as both Italian teams eliminated their Spanish opponents and advanced to the semifinals of the Champions Cup.

Juventus, a two-time Champions Cup winner, beat Barcelona 2-1 and advanced on a 3-2 aggregate score after 30 minutes of extra time. Inter, which has also won the competition twice, lost 2-1 on Tuesday but advanced on its away goal after the series finished 2-2 on aggregate.

It is the first time two Italian teams have reached the semifinals. AC Milan was in a position to make it three yesterday when it was to host Ajax.

Reborn again

``Italian soccer is regaining its prestige,'' Juventus coach Marcello Lippi said.

Zalayeta, who came on at halftime for Marco di Vaio, scored in the 114th minute to end Barcelona's 15-game unbeaten record in the competition this season.

Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved had given the Italian champion a 53rd-minute lead while Spanish international Xavi Hernandez equalized in the 61st.

Juventus, which had midfielder Edgar Davids ejected in the 79th minute, reached its fifth semifinal since the Champions League adopted its format in 1992.

The teams drew 1-1 in the first leg in Turin nearly two weeks ago.

On Tuesday, striker Alessando del Piero and Davids forced goalkeeper Roberto Bonano into crucial saves and defender Ciro Ferrera headed just over the bar before halftime.

Two minutes into the second half, Barcelona midfielder Luis Enrique Martinez spurned a golden opportunity when, after rounding Montero, he curled his shot around 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon's left post.

Nedved gave Juventus an overall lead five minutes later. The Czech's forceful run from the left took him into the penalty area, where he shot home to Bonano's right.

``I gave everything and the team did also,'' Nedved said. ``I've been seeking [the Champions Cup] my entire career.''

Barcelona leveled when Lilian Thuram's clearing header fell to Xavi, lurking on the edge of the area. Despite Barcelona's frantic late efforts to grab a second goal against its 10-man opponent, the score remained 2-2 on aggregate and the game went into extra time.

With Argentine substitute Juan Roman Riquelme playing a dominant role, the Catalan team dictated the first half of extra time, but

Juventus' defense held firm.

Buffon reacted well to parry Patrick Kluivert's shot with eight minutes remaining, and Zalayeta struck home a low cross from the right a minute later.

``The dream has ended in an unfair, terrible way. What have we got left?'' Barcelona coach Radomir Antic said.

Meanwhile ...

In Valencia, Spain, Vieri's second goal of the series and several outstanding saves by goalkeeper Francesco Toldo were key for Inter. Argentine Juan Pablo Aimar and Ruben Baraja scored for Valencia.

The play that led to Vieri's latest goal started with a Valencia turnover at midfield.

Inter forward Hernan Crespo intercepted the ball and launched it forward to Vieri. When defender Fabian Ayala failed to clear, Vieri took over and beat Valencia captain and 'keeper Santiago Canizares.

It was Vieri's third Champions League goal this season and his 27th overall, including his league-leading 24 goals in Serie A.

Vieri left the match in the 32nd minute with an injury to his right knee. Inter's Web site said he suffered a suspected muscle pull in his knee and further tests in the next few days would reveal the full extent of the injury.