Ranieri Reprieve As Juventus Defeat Real Madrid

Champions League Group Stage Juventus 2 – 1 Real Madrid CF

Italian giants Juventus currently sit 12th in Serie A and with rumblings Monday of lack of security for manager Claudio Ranieri’s position, Ranieri was definitely starting to feel the heat. Both club and manager however received some breathing room the next evening as the Bianconeri won their first match in six games, defeating Real Madrid in front of a sparse home crowd. 

Back on September 30th the Turin club had to come from behind to draw against surprisingly entertaining Champions League minnows BATE Borisov. In both matches Alessandro Del Piero’s contribution was crucial and this time round Ranieri decided to heap praise upon his golden boot winner.

Ranieri admitted to UEFA.com magazine that Del Piero has that winning spirit that never gives up,  “I’ve coached a lot of champions but Del Piero always wants to be number one, the champion, that is great” 

With 3 games played, Juventus have taken sole possession of first place in Group H on 7 points followed by Real Madrid on 6 points, BATE Borisov with 2 points and finally Zenit St. Petersburg on one lonely point. I had expected better from the Russian side which defended last season’s Champions Manchester United, becoming 2008 UEFA Super Cup winners on August 29th, 2008 at the Stade Louis II in Monaco.

Next round of matches  start on November 5th with Juventus as visitors to Madrid’s Bernabeu and we’ll have to wait and see if the Old Lady of Turin can best Los Merengues twice in a fortnight.

UEFA.com Magazine – JUVE win battle of Giants

Interview with Claudio Ranieri, Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder