Fog Scuppers Juventus-Leverkusen Clash
Wednesday 21st November 2001
Juventus had their Champions' League clash with Bayer Leverkusen postponed on Wednesday when thick fog descended on the Stadio delle Alpi.
Swiss referee Urs Meier ruled that the game could not go ahead after a pitch inspection, with visibility down to barely 20 meters.
Leverkusen general manager Reiner Calmund said: "The game could only have gone ahead under irregular sporting conditions. You couldn't see as far as one goalmouth to the other.
"You couldn't expect the teams to go out and play in those circumstances."
The match has been rescheduled for next week, forcing both clubs to cancel domestic Cup ties.
"Our next Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria will have to be postponed now," confirmed Juventus coach Marcello Lippi. "It's a problem but that's the situation and we have to accept it. It means that we can concentrate on next Saturday against Lazio.
"I hope Pavel Nedved will show his right face against his former team. His tactical position is not a problem. He is a champion, he just needs time," added the manager.
Calmund confirmed the new date, pending Uefa approval. "We'll just have to postpone our Cup match (against Bochum) and come back next week," he said.
