Juve boss hails solid showing

Ferrara: Proud of Juve performance

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Coach Ciro Ferrara hailed a professional performance as Juventus won 1-0 at Maccabi Haifa to move a step closer to the Champions League knock-out stages.

Mauro Camoranesi gave Juve a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time as his shot deflected off home defender Dekel Keinan past goalkeeper Nir Davidovich.

And although the Italians were pegged back for much of the second half, they hung on to cement second spot in Group A, four points ahead of Bayern Munich.

With the German giants losing at home to group leaders Bordeaux it means Juve need just two points from their last two games to secure a place in the last 16 and the Bianconeri's 1-1 draw at home to Bordeaux in their group opener is now well behind them.

"I am pleased that we won," said Ferrara.

Mental challenge

"The players played thoughtfully and responsibly - it wasn't only a case of them using their feet.

"Our disappointment at drawing at home to Bordeaux has passed.

"We now look forward with the hope that we can qualify for the knockout phase."

Haifa remain without a point or even a goal after four games in Group A as they had to settle for a repeat of the scoreline in Turin two weeks earlier.

"Naturally, we're very disappointed," said coach Elisha Levy.

"Clearly, in the first half we didn't play as well as in our other games.

"Juve pegged us back and did not allow us to do the things we wanted to do, but it was much better in the second half for us."