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.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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.
PHOTO: AP
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.
Aimar quickly countered for Valencia two minutes later. The Argentine received a lateral pass from John Carew and thread the ball through Inter's defense.
After numerous other scoring chances by Valencia -- and Toldo saves, Baraja found the net again on a diving header in the 51st, giving hope to the capacity crowd of 45,000 at the Mestalla stadium.
In first-half injury time, Toldo made three spectacular saves on one continuous action. In the 90th, Valencia striker Juan Sanchez blasted a potential series-winning goal just wide.
``If everyone played like Inter, fans would disappear from the stadiums,'' Valencia coach Rafael Benitez said. ``We played so much better that it seems unfair that we are not going into the semifinals. For me the ends do not justify the means.''
The result means Inter coach Hector Cuper once more got the best of his former club.
When Cuper first returned to Valencia a year ago, Inter eliminated the Spanish club in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals. Cuper guided Valencia to the Champions Cup final in 2000 and 2001 before leaving for Italy.
Barcelona has won the Champions Cup once, in 1992. Juventus won its titles in 1985 and 1996 while Inter won back-to-back trophies in 1964 and 1965.
Yesterday, Manchester United was to host defending champion Real Madrid while Ajax visited AC Milan. Madrid led 3-1 after its win two weeks ago in Madrid while Ajax and Milan drew 0-0.
Juventus will face either Real Madrid or Manchester in the semifinals while Inter takes on either Ajax or crosstown rival Milan. The semifinals are scheduled for May 6 and May 7, and May 13 and May 14. The final will be played at Manchester United's Old Trafford on May 28.
Premier League
Mark Viduka scored two goals to help Leeds to a 2-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday. The much-needed win has virtually saved Leeds from relegation.
Leeds now has 41 points, level with Fulham. Bolton has 39 points in 17th place, leaving 18th-placed West Ham most at risk of relegation with 35 points. Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion have already been relegated.
Viduka scored at the start of each half. The Australian striker has been in good form of late, scoring 11 goals in Leeds' last seven games.
Viduka scored after four minutes from the first corner of the game. Gary Kelly's swinging kick was met by a header from Viduka.
His second was in the 49th minute when he collected a rebounded shot off Fulham goalkeeper Maik Taylor and scored with a right-footed shot from 15m.
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