Champions League round-up

Barca and Juve through despite poor results

Last updated: 27th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Champions League round-up

Amauri: Claimed Juve equaliser

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Barcelona and Juventus booked their place in the UEFA Champions League group stages despite uninspiring displays against Wisla Krakow and Artmedia Bratislava.

Panathinaikos are also through to the lucrative next stage of the competition after overcoming the challenge of Sparta Prague.

Barca were already leading 4-0 from the first leg in Spain and coach Pep Guardiola had selected a full-strength side for the second match.

But the Polish side went in front in the 52nd minute through Guedes Cleber and held on to record a famous, if ultimately futile, victory.

Serie A giants Juve held a similar advantage against Artmedia, but fell behind with just 14 minutes on the clock when Branislav Fodrek found the target.

But striker Amauri levelled soon after to ensure that Claudio Ranieri's side progressed with a 5-1 aggregate triumph.

Panathinaikos were made to wait until the very last minute to see off Sparta Prague, with Rodrigo Souza on target to secure a 3-1 victory on aggregate.