Zenit and Juve Draw a Blank in Champions League

After Drenthe and Saviola linked up for a near miss early doors, Real Madrid took the lead at BATE as Drenthe’s next cross picked out Raul and the number 7 smashed home via the underside of the bar.

Fiorentina, needing a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive, got off to the worst possible start against Lyon with Benzema teeing up Jean Makoun for the opener. The French champions silenced the Stadio Artemio Franchi by building a two-goal advantage through a low drive from talisman Karim Benzema.

Away at Fener, Porto’s bid to seal qualification from the group got off to a flyer as Lisandro Lopez volleyed home a Bruno Alves cross after Volkan flapped at a high ball, grasping thin air. Lopez quickly doubled the lead tucking home despite claims of handball in the build-up.

Zenit St. Petersburg 0 - 0 Juventus (Champions League, Nov. 25, 2008)

In the early kick-off in Russia, Juve had the first real opportunity to score as Olof Mellberg headed against the outside of the post from Camoranesi’s free-kick. Juve again hit the woodwork later in the half, Nedved played in Del Piero who in turn found Iaquinta, but his shot could only find the upright.

Tymoschuk’s free-kick was the closet Zenit came in the opening 45. The chances kept coming after the break, Del Piero forced a great save for Juve, and Danny come close for Zenit on a couple of occasions but in the end neither side could find a breakthrough.