Manninger Celebrates Vital Win

Manninger Celebrates Vital Win

Juventus leapfrogged Real Madrid at the top of Champions League Group H last night, courtesy of a deserved 2-1 win, and Gianluigi Buffon's understudy Alex Manninger feels the major boost will also help turn around their domestic campaign.

A fabulous Alessandro Del Piero's strike early in the first half and a magnificent Amauri's header in the second period eased the Old Lady to a much-needed triumph over the Merengues.

The Bianconeri were decimated before the game, as they had to make do with an unusual spate of injuries, and also lost midfielder Claudio Marchisio and Italy international Nicola Legrottaglie during the encounter.

Buffon was also sidelined after suffering a tear in his right thigh earlier this month and looks poised to be out for several games, but former Siena shot-stopper Manninger's performance was superb.

"We badly needed a positive result against Real," the Austrian international told Datasport.

"This win is essential, as it allows us to make a big step toward our objective. There are still three games coming up, but this success will stand us in good stead."

The Old Lady now host bitter rivals Torino on Saturday and dramatically need the three points after a disastrous run of results in Serie A.

"We come off a couple of bad results and now we are expected to put in a great performance in the upcoming Derby. We absolutely need to go up a gear.

"It will be my first Derby and I am honoured to play in a game of such importance. I have played a few local derbies in Austria and in England with Arsenal. If we manage to fight for 90 minutes, just like we did against Real last night, I am confident we will come out on top."

Vince Masiello