Juventus FC's road to Manchester

Without a knockout stage appearance since 1999, Juventus began the season determined to prove themselves once again among Europe's elite. And as reigning Italian champions, it was only right that they should share in their nation's UEFA Champions League revival.

'Beautiful performance'
Negotiating a first group stage pool containing UEFA Cup holders Feyenoord, Newcastle United FC and regulars FC Dynamo Kyiv was no mean feat. An opening draw in Rotterdam settled early nerves, and then Dynamo were dispatched 5-0 - "one of the most beautiful performances from Juve ever in the Champions League," according to coach Marcello Lippi.

Four points clear
Newcastle were then beaten 2-0 in Turin to mean that even a defeat in the return would not prove too costly, and two more victories saw Juventus ease through four points clear at the top of the group.

Tough group
Manchester United FC, RC Deportivo La Coruña and surprise packages FC Basel were another tough group to land. Juventus came from two behind to draw 2-2 at Deportivo in the opener, and seemed to be on their way after a 4-0 win against Basel.

Tudor winner
However, when matters resumed after the winter break, the Juventus squad was ravaged by a 'flu bug. A double-header against United was not the tonic required, and two defeats followed. Nothing less than victory against Deportivo would do - and Igor Tudor's 93rd-minute volley ensured just that, meaning a 2-1 loss at Basel did not prevent Juve's progress, albeit with only seven points.

Barcelona test
Juventus were not doing things the easy way - and landing unbeaten FC Barcelona, who had just broken the competition record for consecutive victories - in the quarter-finals was proof of that. Paolo Montero gave Juventus an early lead in the first leg, but the Catalan team secured a vital away goal through Javier Saviola 12 minutes from full time.

Zalayeta strikes
So 'La Vecchia Signora' needed to score in Spain, and 53 minutes in Pavel Nedved did just that. But Xavi Hernández soon equalised, and late in normal time, Edgar Davids was dismissed for a foul on substitute Gaizka Mendieta. Throughout extra time, it seemed Juventus were holding on for penalties as Barcelona launched attack after attack. But there was no way through, and in the 114th minute, Marcelo Zalayeta struck to set up a showdown with Real Madrid CF - a rematch of the 1998 final.