Lions match Juventus at home

by Joe Short

FC Copenhagen stood firm against Italian champions Juventus and held on for a 1-1 draw in their first UEFA Champions League game of Group B. 

Nicolai Jørgensen had given the Lions an early lead when he reacted first to a scramble in the box to prod past Gianluigi Buffon. Juve levelled after the break through Fabio Quagliarella but could not force another path through the mighty Johan Wiland.

Wiland saved a host of saves in the second half, deny Quagliarella and Carlos Tevez golden chances to snatch a winner for the away side. FCK's defence remained strong throughout the game and Pierre Bengtsson put in a man-of-the-match performance on the left side.

Head coach Ståle Solbakken gave Daniel Braaten the nod ahead of Igor Vetokele as FCK lined up for their first Champions League match of the season. Thomas Delaney and Claudemir - survivors from our last campaign in this tournament - held the centre of the park with Christian Bolaños and Braaten providing width.

Jørgensen nets the opener

Both sides showed attacking intent early on. FCK had a free kick just one minute in but Pierre Bengtsson hit the wall, while at the other end Carlos Tevez fired wide a smart corner from Andrea Pirlo. Fanendo Adi got his first shot away on eight minutes, finding the gloves of Gianluigi Buffon when a better option lay in Bolaños on the right.

The shot was a sign of FCK's intent, however, as the home side passed confidently around the Italian champions and retained the ball in the middle third with comfort. Indeed, Ståle's men were rewarded for their intent when Jørgensen reacted quickest to the fallout of a deep free-kick, prodding the ball past Buffon from six yards out to make it 1-0 and shake PARKEN very foundations.

Juventus enjoyed their first spell of pressure following the goal but couldn't force a way past the inspired Wiland. On 20 minutes Giorgio Chiellini rose unmarked to meet a deep free-kick but Wiland tipped the Italian's diving header over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Paul Pogba fired a volley at goal from point-blank range but Wiland somehow deflected it into the crowd.

Juve draw level

Tevez found the roof of the FCK net following a spate of Juventus corners just after the half-hour and Pogba headed a good chance wide moments later. After that chance, Copenhagen controlled possession with more confident and sometimes audacious passing, lowering the tempo until half time.

Referee Ivan Bebek began the second half booking three players within a minute. First Bengtsson was carded for time wasting on a throw before Frederico Peluso received a yellow for simulation - Stephan Lichtsteiner then contesting the decision to talk his way into the book.

Pirlo created Juve's best chance of the match on 51 minutes when he found Carlos Tevez onside with a magnificent over-the-top ball - Wiland was equal to Tevez's effort to keep the away side at bay. Juventus would not have to wait much longer to score, however, as Fabio Quagliarella converted Peluso's centre with a reactionary left-footed finish from 12 yards.

Lions hold on for point

Copenhagen didn't let the goal affect them as Bolaños whipped an effort narrowly over Buffon's bar, while Lichtsteiner's volley ended in the same place at the other end. Pirlo easily dispossessed Claudemir in a dangerous position before testing Wiland with a neat low effort and FCK were lucky not to concede a second when Quagliarella headed onto the bar and out to safety.

Ståle made his first substitution on 70 minutes, bringing off Adi for Rurik Gislason. Almost immediately Jørgensen, playing up front on his own, beat two Juve midfielders and fired an effort inches over the bar. Wiland stood up firm to Arturo Vidal five minutes later when Juve hit FCK on the break and he was there again to parry another Tevez effort.

Bolaños made way for Youssef Toutouh and Georg Margreitter for Claudemir as FCK dropped deep to handle intense Juve pressure. While the Copenhagen fans kept a strong voice their team defended with equal gusto and were barely threatened despite the possession afforded to their opponents. Tevez spurned a final half-chance a minute before the whistle and relief washed over PARKEN when the referee brought the tie to a close.

Copenhagen sit joint second in Group B, two points behind Real Madrid - who beat Galatasaray on Tuesday night. A trip to the Bernabeu is next up in two weeks time.

FC COPENHAGEN: 1  JUVENTUS: 1

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Bolaños, Delaney, Claudemir, Braaten, Jørgensen, Adi.

Juventus: Buffon, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Peluso, Bonucci, Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal, Tevez, Quagliarella.

Goals: Jørgensen (14'), Quagliarella, Juventus (54').

Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO).