Zidane Sent Off As Juventus, Deportivo Draw
TURIN, Italy (September 26, 2000 6:10 p.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Zinedine Zidane was sent
off as Juventus was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Deportivo
Coruna in Champions League group E on Tuesday.
Zidane was dismissed for a late challenge on Brazilian
Emerson in the 68th minute but Deportivo was unable to take
advantage of the extra man in a disappointing game.
Both sides have five points, one more than Panathinaikos which
beat Hamburg SV 1-0 in Germany.
Juventus left out Alessandro Del Piero for French striker
David Trezeguet and had the first chance in the 16th minute
when Filippo Inzaghi took advantage of a defensive mix-up and
beat goalkeeper Jose Molina.
But defender Nourredine Naybet cleared off the line and then
blocked Inzaghi's follow-up shot.
Deportivo began cautiously and its first effort on goal
did not come until the 29th minute when Turu Flores cut in from
the left and his low shot flashed just wide of the post.
That appeared to give the Spaniards confidence and a minute
later the dangerous Turu Flores forced a good save out of Edwin
Van der Sar with a low drive.
Juve was lacking fluidity in its attacks but Deportivo
looked shaky at the back and Inzaghi saw another shot cleared
off the line by Naybet after the Italy striker had rounded
goalkeeper Jose Molina.
But the best effort of the half came four minutes before the
break when Turu Flores forced Van der Sar to full stretch with a
thundering free-kick.
Juventus started brightly after the break with Trezeguet
twice going close from close range but Van der Sar was forced to
make a desperate save to keep out a sliced clearance from Igor
Tudor which almost looped into his own goal.
Deportivo should have broken the deadlock in the 62nd minute
when Emerson, on as a substitute for Turu Flores, put a ball
across the face of the goal but Cesar Sampaio blasted wide from
close range.
With Juve drifting out of the game coach Carlo Ancelotti
replaced Inzaghi with Del Piero.
But his hopes of energizing his attack were dealt a blow
when Zidane was harshly sent off for a late, but hardly vicious
challenge on Emerson in the 68th minute.
Zidane will now be suspended for the return game in Spain on
October 18.
Deportivo poured forward in search of a winner but some
excellent defending from Ciro Ferrara and poor use of possession
meant that Juventus were able to hang on for a point.
