Il Capitano Scores a Stunner As Juve Beat Real

I was exhausted when the referee blew the final whistle. Juventus had won. They had done it. They had beaten Real Madrid by 2-1 after having gone a full month without any wins. Ranieri had been on the verge of being fired ahead of tonight’s game, but it’s safe to say that he’ll stick around for a while.

I had countless discussions or fight, call it whatever, with Los Blancos fans who was so full of confidence ahead of the game it was sickening “3-1 to Real, easily” (you know who you are). Me? Well I didn’t want anything to come back and bite so I just kept a low profile, "we’ll make, you’ll see…” I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t worried, who wouldn’t be? Have you seen Juventus play lately?

But I also know the kind of quality the team possesses, they could do it.

First half

I took my place on the couch next to a neutral and shut out the jeers from the surrounding Real supporters as I watched the players enter the field. There was something different this time. A spark in their eyes, signs of determination. They weren’t going to let this one out of their hands.

fifth minute; Amauri passes a through ball to Del Piero, who then quickly looks up and  with one touch shoots a stunner straight into the top corner past a Casillas rooted to the spot.

Yes? YES! YEEEEEESSSSS!!! I was almost reduced to tears with pride at seeing my beloved Capitano score yet another wonder (and totally enjoying the startled faces around me). Great start!

Real Madrid started to grow into the game after some 20 minutes and had a numbers of half chances through Van der Vaart, Sneijder and Ramos.

36th minute; Marchisio picks up an injury after running into team mate Sissoko and is replaced by Salihamidzic.

Oh no, not another injury…However, Juventus calmly manages to preserve their lead throughout the remainder of the first half.

Half time

Me: “So what do you think of the game so far?”

One of them: “This is nothing, we’ll come back again, we’ve won the Champions League nine times."

Me: “Seriously, you need to get over that.”

Second half

47th minute: Pepe is unable to contain Salihamidzic as he passes the ball onto Nedved who then lifts the ball to meet Amauri’s header at the far post. The ball deflects onto Heinze’s back and bounces into goal beside a distraught Casillas.

I can’t believe it! 2-0!! Crisis?! Ranieri’s continual denial about any crisis at Juventus might be true after all! Here I was under the impression that he had gone senile! An early victory dance.

55th minute: I’m choking on the lasagna. Real’s best chance so far as Van der Vaart’s header sweeps the far post.

61st minute: The Spaniards has another dangerous shot as Sneijder shoots from a distance. The ball hits the far post and deflects out.

The chances for Real were really piling up now and a goal was inevitable. I could smell it. And so could they…

66th minute: van Nistelrooy rises to meet Heinze’s cross and clinically puts it into the net.

I try to hide my disappointment. Just ignore them. Don’t throw food at them. You’re hungry.

The game slows down a bit with 15 minutes remaining. Juventus are trying to hold on to their lead and Real has stopped being threatening.

88th minute: My heart is beating so fast I’m feeling physically sick. Enough already, blow the goddamn whistle!

90th minute: Three additional minutes?! I think I’m going into cardiac arrest or something.

91st minute: Marchisio brings down Robben. Free kick in favor of Real. Sneijder steps up and I don’t really know what happened here because I had my head between my knees hyperventilating.

“…the free kick is blocked out...”

Oh thank God.

93rd minute: Final whistle. I don’t have any strength left in me to glee. We’ve won.

Il Capitano along with Chiellini stood for extraordinary performances this evening along with nine other Juventus players who finally displayed the determination, will and spark that has been missing this season. I don’t know what Ranieri said to his men before the game but it certainly seemed to have done the trick. The Bianconeri tactician keeps his job for another day and Juventus now tops group H with seven points.

I’m delirious with happiness, but I haven’t forgotten to phone my dear Real friend who so confidently predicted a 3-1 win to Real.

“Hi”

No answer.

“So you’re that ashamed huh?”

“No answer.” 

“That’s gotta suck though, you know, after everything you said and all. Anyways, have a lovely evening.”

With all kidding and happiness aside I would like to take a moment to mention the death of two Juventini supporters who tragically lost their lives on their way to the game. The win was in your honor.