Juventus eased their crisis with a precious 2-1 home victory over Real Madrid in Group H game of the UEFA Champions League. The Bianconeri were reeling due to their poor domestic results. Coach Claudio Ranieri was also under pressure but the win over Real is likely to give him a much-needed boost Skipper Alessandro Del Piero put Juventus ahead after fifth minute after curling a superb right-footed shot that went into the top corner of the net. Brazilian striker Amauri extended Juve's lead in the 49th minute via a deflected header after connecting with Pavel Nedved's inch-perfect cross from the right. Ruud van Nistelrooy pulled one back on 60 minutes when he headed home a left-wing cross but Juventus held onto their lead to claim a valuable victory. Juventus are on top of the group with seven points, one ahead of second-placed Real Madrid. BATE Borisov of Belarus, who held Zenit St. Petersburg to a 1-1 draw, are third on two points while the Russians are rooted to the bottom with a solitary point.
