Juventus assumed command of their Europa League last-16 tie against Fulham with a 3-1 first-leg win on Thursday, after beleaguered English giants Liverpool were beaten at Lille.
Juventus took an early lead against Fulham in Turin when centerback Nicola Legrottaglie headed home from a ninth-minute corner, before rightback Jonathan Zebina extended their advantage with a thunderous long-range effort.
Dickson Etuhu’s deflected shot reduced the arrears, but former France international David Trezeguet restored the home side’s two-goal cushion by volleying home in first-half stoppage-time after his shot came back off the post.
PHOTO: AFP
Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw at home to last season’s runners-up Werder Bremen, who took a 24th-minute lead via a Torsten Frings penalty.
The hosts had Argentine midfielder Ever Banega dismissed in the second half for violent conduct, but they drew level almost immediately through Juan Mata, who slotted home after Spain teammate David Silva’s shot was blocked.
A last-minute Hatem Ben Arfa header earned Olympique Marseille an impressive 1-1 draw at free-scoring Portuguese league leaders Benfica, while Panathiniakos, who eliminated Serie A heavyweights AS Roma in the last round, were beaten 3-1 at home by Standard Liege.
Lille followed compatriots Lyon’s example, after Claude Puel’s side stunned Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, by consigning Liverpool to a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium Lille-Metropole.
Liverpool, a disappointing sixth in the Premier League after losing 1-0 to Wigan Athletic on Monday, were short of fluency on an uneven playing surface and sank to defeat when Eden Hazard’s 84th-minute free-kick drifted straight in from wide on the left-hand flank.
The Belgian youngster had been a constant torment with his purposeful running and his goal, albeit fortuitous, puts his side in the driving seat prior to the return match at Anfield on Thursday.
“I have confidence we can beat anyone on a good day at Anfield,” Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez said. “I would be worried if the players hadn’t worked as hard as they have. The fans will play a part, they will push and will be behind the team.”
Benitez’s Lille counterpart Rudi Garcia said his team still had work to do.
“Everyone thought we were out when the draw was made. Now, although nothing has been decided, it’s a good result for us,” he said. “We have to score over there. The first leg should give us confidence and show us that we’re capable of competing with such a big team.”
Elsewhere, a delightful curling finish from Bosnian playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic in the 67th minute earned VfL Wolfsburg a 1-1 draw at Rubin Kazan in Russia.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his first home goal for new club Hamburg SV as they defeated Anderlecht 3-1, with Jonathan Legear’s superb free-kick on the stroke of halftime earning the visitors an away goal.
Portugal’s Sporting secured a 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid despite the 31st-minute dismissal of Leandro Grimi for two bookable offenses and a straight red card for Tonel.
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