By Jason Burt in Turin 959PM GMT eleven March 2010
No shouting make a difference Juventus" Fabio Grosso enjoys a impulse during his side"s extensive feat opposite Fulham in the Europa League on Thursday Photo REUTERS Fulham have been creation story with their Europa Cup forays but on Thursday night that was all but consigned to story after a vehement time in Turin.
Manager Roy Hodgson had pronounced he was no romantic but his defenders will be carrying nightmares about David Trezeguet. For the 32-year-old World Cup winner, this was one of his increasingly couple of on evenings; a possibility to show what bent he has. And a complicated cost was paid.
Man Utd v Fulham preview Winter FA wrong to cruise Cup changes Spurs exceedingly burned out for Cup tie Fulham face defining week Smalling up for U-21 journey Sport on radioHodgson had additionally asked that his group at slightest took Juventus at the behind of to Craven Cottage with the tie still "alive"; that they gave themselves a fighting chance, a sluggers shot. They still do but the a flattering slim one. It looked similar to a diversion as well far; the quarter-finals a faraway awaiting opposite such potential as the Italians positively possessed.
It was an journey that meant so majority to Fulham, to their swell and status, but they were fast behind, fast struggling. After the primary sparring, a cranky flew in from the left and Trezeguet, fourteen yards out, rose to head towards Mark Schwarzers goal. He sloping it away.
From the corner, executive defender Nicola Legrottaglie, with Brede Hangeland held out, charged by to energy an additional header. This time, Schwarzer had no possibility as the round bounced past him. Juventus had the lead.
It silenced the 1,800 Fulham supporters who had been shoe-horned in to their splinter of a belligerent that was frugally populated. It reinforced that, for the 27-time Italian champions, who have won the European Cup twice, this was not such a big understanding though, also, sheet prices were prohibitive.
There are larger priorities. They are a faraway fifth in Serie A, fifteen points at the behind of leaders Inter Milan, carrying achieved runners-up last season. There was a host of big names blank and a superficial knowledge on the dais but there was still an experienced, expensively-assembled group with, for example, �22 million Brazilian Diego personification at the behind of a rejuvenated Trezeguet.
Fulhams run to reach this theatre of the foe proposed at the behind of in July, and this is their 13th compare so far and their 18th crater tie of a debate that has additionally taken them to a FA Cup quarter-final replay.
They are positively battle-hardened and began to feel their approach in to the competition with Damien Duff operative his approach down the right, slicing the round back, usually for Simon Davies to miscue. It was a great opportunity.
After all, Fulham couldnt design abounding pickings nonetheless conjunction could they means to suggest up chances as Jonathan Greening did in accidentally surrendering receive usually for Trezeguets shot to, just, transparent the bar.
The notice went unheeded. Soon after and right-back Jonathan Zebina simply evaded Daviess bluff challenge, as he cut in-field, and struck a fierce, right-footed cross-shot from twenty-five yards that tore past Schwarzer. It was overwhelming and dumbfounded Fulham. They were being out-played, taught a lesson. Their usually idea was containment or a propitious break. They, gratefully, got the latter.
Bobby Zamora won a free-kick, Davies swung it in and the round in the future pennyless to Dickson Etuhu who shot goalwards. Alex Manninger would have saved comfortably, but it took a infamous deflection off Legrottaglies heels and trundled in to the net. Moments after and they were roughly turn with Hangeland assembly a corner, usually for Manninger to scratch his header afar whilst Zamora and Zoltan Gera had half-chances.
Back came Juventus. And again they scored with an achieved strike. This time, after Schwarzer well sloping over Fabio Grossos pointed drive, the dilemma was met by Trezeguet usually for his right-foot shot to gunnery unit at the behind of off a post. With smashing instinct the French striker spread out to encounter the rebound, this time volleying it, left-footed, in to the alternative dilemma of the goal. Right on half-time. Hodgson was furious.
Fulham were only about unresolved on in there with Geras shot shut off and an additional dangerous cranky by Zamora, who differently struggled opposite 36-year-old Fabio Cannavaro, scrambled afar prior to Trezeguet was withdrawn. Fulham were urged on, but it was laboured.
Juventuss majority dangerous competition was relief with surrogate Vincenzo Iaquinta on fire over when well-placed prior to Diego drew an additional excellent save from Schwarzer and Legrottaglie headed narrowly wide. After the fireworks of the initial half, the competition was fizzling out. For Fulham the fire is, not yet, extinguished.
