10 October 2022
The only meeting between Maccabi Haifa and Juventus in Israel was 13 years ago. Just like this year, it was the fourth matchday of the Champions League group stages.
The game was played on 3 November 2009, unlike this season when due to the World Cup in Qatar bringing forward the usual Champions League schedule Matchday 4 is held on October 11.
The first match between the two sides, in Turin, had seen the Bianconeri clinch victory by a solitary goal, which had allowed the Lady to claim second place in the standings, behind Bordeaux and ahead of Bayern Munich. Maccabi were fourth on zero points.
The starting XI for the return fixture was: Buffon; Caceres, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso; Felipe Melo, Poulsen; Camoranesi, Diego, Tiago; Amauri.
TEL AVIV PLAYS HOST
Due to construction work at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, the match was held not in Haifa but in Tel Aviv.
A number of local Bianconeri fans turned out at the Ramat Gan Stadium to give their backing to the Lady, which was needed considering the 3-2 defeat to Napoli in the league leading up to the Champions League encounter.
DIEGO DELIVERS
One of the most highly-awaited players, Diego, did not disappoint expectations.
The Brazilian had set off on his Italian adventure in sparkling form, only to be hampered by an injury that denied him the chance to display his full potential over time. In Tel Aviv, he came close to a goal of his own, from a direct free kick.
CACERES COMBINES
Another summer arrival for the season 2009/10 that had started strongly was Martin Caceres.
After scoring on his league debut, he had strung together a series of impressive displays, a run that continued in Israel.
A through ball by Diego picked out Ceceres in full flight inside the opposition area, who whipped in an inviting cross...
THE MATCH-WINNER
Mauro German Camoranesi arrived to finish off the move.
The cross arrived at the height of the penalty spot, which Mauro met on the run. His shot, central but powerful, sailed into the net. It was in the second minute of time added on in the first half - a perfect time to open the scoring.
After the break, Maccabi Haifa threw players forward in attack as they intensified the pressure on the Juve defence, which stood firm to take all three points back to Turin.
