In its first visit to Juventus since the 1985 Heysel Stadium tragedy,
Liverpool played a 0-0 tie Wednesday night and advanced to the semifinals
of the European Champions League on a 2-1 aggregate score .
Fans hurled objects at one another during a pregame ceremony. At the
Champions Cup final 20 years ago in Brussels, Belgium, a riot caused by
Liverpool fans led to 39 deaths. The teams did not meet again until last
week, when Liverpool won the first leg 2-1 in England.
Police quickly stepped in Wednesday night and brought fans under
control.
PSV Eindhoven won the night's other quarterfinal, beating Lyon 4-2 on
penalty kicks following a 1-1 tie. The teams also played a 1-1 tie in
France last week, leaving the aggregate score tied in the home-and-home
series.
Liverpool plays English rival Chelsea in the semifinals. PSV Eindhoven
plays AC Milan, which led crosstown rival Internazionale on 3-0 aggregate
when their game was halted Tuesday night after a flare thrown from the
stands at San Siro stadium hit AC Milan goalkeeper Dida.
The closest Juventus came to scoring was when Fabio Cannavaro's header
in the 78th minute went off a post.
"I am very proud of the staff, the workers and the players. It is
important to give this to our supporters," Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez
said.
Several firecrackers were thrown into the Liverpool section after the
match, and English fans were kept in the stadium until the Juventus
supporters were cleared out.
The Liverpool fans finally left the stadium shortly before midnight and
were escorted by police to Turin's Caselle airport for an immediate return
home.
Liverpool has lost three times to Chelsea this season, twice in the
Premier League and 3-2 in overtime at the League Cup final.
At Eindhoven, Sylvain Wiltord gave Lyon the lead in the 10th minute,
but Alex tied the score in the 50th.
American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, who entered for PSV in the 57th
minute, missed his penalty kick with Eindhoven leading 3-2 after three
shots, sending the ball straight toward goalkeeper Gregory Coupet. PSV
goalkeeper Heurlho Gomes then stopped Eric Abidal's shot, and Robert then
converted the winning kick.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-14 10:22
