Juventus have a little bit extra

BARCELONA...1 JUVENTUS...2(Aet: Juve win 3-2 on aggregate)Ten-man Juventus held their nerve to beat Barcelona 2-1 in extra-time in front of 98,000 spectators last night to register their first win on Spanish soil in 33 years.

Juventus go through 3-2 on aggregate and the Italians, who are also leading the Serie A, will face either Manchester United or Real Madrid in the semi-finals next month.

Juventus' Uruguyan striker Marcelo Zalayeta grabbed the winner on a counter-attack six minutes before the end of extra-time to secure the win for Marcello Lippi's men.

However, the plaudits should really go to Juventus' Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who stopped the "Old Lady" - as Juventus are affectionately known - from stumbling on numerous occasions.

As well as a myriad of saves during the first 90 minutes, Buffon brought off two spectacular reflex stops during the second half of injury-time to secure the win.

Ironically, Juve's last victory in Spain was also a 2-1 win over Barcelona, in the old Fairs Cup in 1970.

However, the odds were stacked against Juventus succeeding, and not just because of their sorry historic record.

Juventus had to play the last 11 minutes and extra-time with just 10 men after combative Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids got his second yellow card and his marching orders.

Barcelona had the best of the chances during regulation time but were on their back foot after Pavel Nedved opened the scoring for Juventus eight minutes after the break.

Davids played a superb ball off to Nedved, who showed little sign of the hard knock he took at the weekend against Roma.

The Czech midfielder then sped past two Barca defenders before unleashing a right foot thunderbolt to put Juve ahead against the run of play.

Barca kept their composure though and 15 minutes later their patience paid off when midfielder Xavi Hernandez equalised.

Xavi picked up the ball on the edge of the area and his low half-volley bobbled and took two bounces, but was still strong enough to beat Buffon for his first Champions League goal this season.

Barcelona, though, will reflect on the fact that they should have put Juve to the sword within 90 minutes.

BARCELONA: Bonano, Puyol, De Boer, Reiziger (Gerard 91), Andersson (Mendieta 61), Xavi, Motta, Luis Enrique, Kluivert, Saviola, Overmars (Riquelme 85). Subs Not Used: Valdes, Christanval, Rochemback, Oleguer. Booked: Luis Enrique, Gerard, Motta. Goals: Xavi 66.

JUVENTUS: Buffon, Thuram, Zambrotta, Ferrara, Montero, Tacchinardi, Davids, Camoranesi (Birindelli 46), Nedved, Del Piero (Tudor 83), Di Vaio (Zalayeta 46). Subs Not Used: Chimenti, Pessotto, Conte, Iuliano. Sent Off: Davids (79). Booked: Zambrotta, Montero, Davids, Tacchinardi, Buffon. Goals: Nedved 53, Zalayeta 114.

Referee: G Poll (England).