Kovacevic Strikes Again as Juve Gain Advantage
TURIN, Italy, March 2 (Reuters) - Juventus striker Darko Kovacevic maintained his remarkable scoring record in the UEFA Cup with the only goal of a fourth round, first leg tie against
Celta Vigo on Thursday.
But the Serie A leaders were seriously tested by the Spaniards, who forced several excellent saves from Juve's Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Yugoslav international Kovacevic rarely starts for the Turin side in Serie A but has now found the target 10 times in seven UEFA Cup appearances.
None of his goals, however, has been more important than his header in the 49th minute of this tie. It came after Celta had dominated the first half, playing some bright, attacking football.
Michael Revivo served early warning of Celta's threat, going close with an 11th-minute strike which flashed just wide. Juventus, who rested several first team regulars including French playmaker Zinedine Zidane and started with Alessandro Del Piero on the bench, struggled to cope with Celta's quick raids.
But Filippo Inzaghi reminded the Spaniards of his ability in the penalty area with a low shot that brought Jose Manuel Pinto to full stretch, Van der Sar foiled Revivo again with a reflex save from a close-range effort. Juve's best attempt before the break was a powerful 30-metre
strike from Alessio Tacchinardi that Pinto pushed wide. Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti brought on Del Piero after the break and the Italy international made an instant impact. He floated over a free-kick from the right and Kovacevic rose well to head firmly downwards into the goal.
The Italians grew in confidence after the goal -- Inzaghi had a volley well saved in the 58th minute and Del Piero forced another good stop out of Pinto with a wicked, low free-kick. Del Piero, criticised for his performances of late, was making a huge difference to Juve's attacking play with his swift movement and incisive runs. He jinked into the box in the 76th minute, skipping past two challenges before firing straight at Pinto. But Celta regrouped and launched a late assault in search of an equaliser.
They almost got that when Alexander Mostovoi struck the post with a firmly hit free-kick from the edge of the area and then substitute Tomas Giron headed wide in the final minute. Coach Ancelotti was pleased with the result but said his side would face another tough test in the away leg. "It is a good result for us, we played well. But Celta were excellent, especially in the first half when they caused us some problems. The second leg will be a tricky one," Ancelotti said.
