MADRID (AFP) — Alessandro del Piero proved Real Madrid's tormentor in chief once again scoring both goals as Juventus defeated the Spanish champions 2-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League last 16.
The 33-year-old scored in Juventus' 2-1 win over Real in Turin and an impressive brace at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium helped the Italians beat the record nine-time European champions for the second time in a fortnight.
Juventus have 10 points at the top of Group H while Real, four points adrift with six, are looking over their shoulders at Zenit St Petersburg who are two points behind after a 2-0 win over BATE Borisov.
"The result does not reflect what happened in the game as we were superior to Juventus," bemoaned Real coach Bernd Schuster. "We had clear chances but you can't afford to miss them in the Champions League.
"There are two games left and we will see if we can finish first or second in the group."
Real defender Fabio Cannavaro stood off his former Juve team-mate Del Piero and Italy's 2006 World Cup winner punished his compatriot by curling in a brilliant opener.
Real midfielder Guti could only shake his head knowing his stray pass had gifted Juve possession.
Del Piero's second goal was a masterpiece with a pinpoint free-kick flying past Iker Casillas although the wall was poorly-positioned.
"The second goal was my fault," admitted Casillas. "We had chances tonight but the ball didn't want to go in.
"We need more points to reach the last 16 and have an important game in Belarus (against BATE Borisov) while Juve still have to go to Russia which is difficult."
Claudio Ranieri's Juventus travel to Russia to face UEFA Cup holders Zenit on November 25 while Real go to BATE on the same day.
"We played our style and were not going to play the way they wanted us to," said Ranieri. "I think we were just winners tonight. We had to fight hard but we did that and it is great to get the three points against a team like Real."
He also said: "We showed a lot of calmness and composure and we're on the right track. Juventus deliver when it matters. I told my players to go and play as if they were using a "Playstation," to go on to the pitch and run and win."
Schuster had to change his starting line-up shortly before kick-off when Dutch international winger Arjen Robben got injured in the warm-up and compatriot Roysten Drenthe took his place on the left wing.
New Argentina national coach Diego Maradona, the country's 1986 World Cup winning hero, was in the Bernabeu for the match although he didn't have much scouting to do as Real centre-half Gabriel Heinze was the only Argentine in the starting line-ups.
Juventus were down to the bare bones with Jorge Andrade, Cristiano Zanetti, Jonathan Zebina, Gianluigi Buffon, David Trezeguet and Christian Poulsen all out.
Veteran striker Del Piero said Juventus couldn't be overawed by the Bernabeu atmosphere and the glamour of Real and he certainly wasn't scoring a fantastic 17th minute opener.
Real failed to close Del Piero down and he punished them with a precise curling shot into the corner. Sergio Ramos missed a guilt-edged chance for Real in the 23rd minute volleying over with the goal at his mercy.
In the second half the Bernabeu public and Schuster were up in arms claiming they should have had two penalties for fouls on Ruud van Nistelrooy and then Raul.
But Real were out of sorts and Del Piero almost completed his hat-trick in the dying minutes with his shot creeping just wide.
Del Piero was clapped off at the Bernabeu as he was substituted off late on with the great Maradona joining in the applause. "Del Piero is a great player and the Bernabeu public know how to express that," added Schuster.
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