FCK lose in Turin

by Joe Short

Olof Mellberg scored on his return to Turin but it was not enough for FC Copenhagen as the Lions went down to an Arturo Vidal hat-trick.

The former Juve centre-half levelled the scores with a neat volley in front of goal after Vidal had given the hosts a first-half lead from the spot.

Copenhagen's joy lasted all of five minutes, however, as Vidal converted his second penalty of the evening before adding a third with his head.

The result leaves FCK bottom of the UEFA Champions League group B, level on four points with Galatasaray and still in with a chance of qualification for the Europa League knockout stage.

Lions withstand early pressure

Ståle Solbakken named Nicolai Jørgensen up front on his own with Rurik Gislason playing just behind to create a five-man midfield. While FCK enjoyed their share of early possession, it was Juve's Paul Pogba who made the first opening.

The midfielder beat the offside trap six minutes in only to fire a tame shot at Johan Wiland from 20 yards. Despite Copenhagen holding their own with the ball, Juve were the most threatening as Carlos Tevez narrowly side-footed wide five minutes later.

Wiland was on hand to punch clear a dangerous cross from the left moments after Tevez's chance and felt the full force of Fernando Llorente clattering in to him for his troubles.

Wiland was no match for Juve's next effort, however, as the home side took the lead from the penalty spot. Referee Jonas Eriksson blew up after Lars Jacobsen raised his hands and made contact with a floated ball over his head, a mistake the also cost the Lions captain a booking, before Arturo Vidal slotted his penalty into the bottom right corner.

Mellberg strikes leveller

Pirlo tested Wiland with a central free-kick just after the hour mark before Pogba hit the side-netting on 40 minutes as Juve searched for a second. Copenhagen, meanwhile, were forced to play it long to the lone Nicolai Jørgensen, who had few options on the occasions he retained possession, and finished the half with a single Youssef Toutouh effort to boast of.

Copenhagen started the second half positively, the Lions forcing a scramble in Juve\s penalty area that almost resulted in Jørgensen bundling home an equaliser. Yet their perseverance eventually paid off on 56 minutes when Mellberg pounced on a loose ball delivered from Claudemir's throw on the left and volleyed home for 1-1.

Vidal hits back

The Lions were afforded just five minutes before Juventus regained the lead, however, as Mellberg went from hero to villain in an instant. The Swede failed to cut out a ball to Llorente and upended the striker when he turned to shoot - Eriksson awarding Juve their second penalty of the evening. Vidal once again stepped up and shot left into the net.

Before FCK could settle back into the game Vidal bagged his hat-trick with a magnificent cross-goal header from deep in the box which lit up the Juventus Stadium as the ball clipped off the underside of the bar, leaving Wiland stranded.

Toutouh chanced his arm moments after Juve's third, shooting low to Gianluigi Buffon's left, the goalkeeper palming away for a corner. Thomas Kristensen and Danny Amankwaa entered the field but FCK struggled to penetrate the host's midfield, Marvin Pourie replacing Toutouh with 10 minutes remaining.

Despite the changes Copenhagen couldn't find space in their opponents' third but Ragnar Sigurdsson proved determined to fight to the whistle at the other end when the defender blocked a fierce Pogba effort with his head, before Mirko Vucinic dragged the last chance of the game low and wide.

The result leaves Copenhagen needing a win against already-qualified Real Madrid on match day six in PARKEN, while they must hope Juve and Galatasaray finish their clash with a draw.

JUVENTUS: 3 FC COPENHAGEN: 1

Juventus: Buffon (C), Chiellini, Caceres, Bonucci, Pogba, Padoin, Pirlo, Asamoah, Vidal, Tevez, Llorente.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen, Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Toutouh, Claudemir, Delaney, Bolaños Gislason, Jørgensen.

Goals: Vidal, Juventus (29', 61', 63'), Mellberg (56').

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE).