A solitary goal by Mauro Camoranesi was sufficient to guide Juventus to a narrow victory in Israel as they took another step towards the group stages of the Champions League. Camoranesi scored on the stroke of half-time but the Italians were not overly impressive against opponents who have yet to score in Group B, let alone take a point.

With Bordeaux winning at Bayern Munich, tonight’s result means Juve are four points ahead of the German team with two games to go with Bayern set to visit Italy in the final match.

The Bianconeri were without the injured Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Jonathan Zebina and Mohammed Sissoko.

However, winger Camoranesi travelled with the team despite needing four stitches in a head wound he sustained in the shock 3-2 defeat by Napoli at the weekend which saw Ciro Ferrara’s side slip seven points off leaders Inter Milan.

The Italians almost went ahead in the eighth minute when Amauri’s close-range shot was tipped round the post by Nir Davidovitch.

The Maccabi goalkeeper was also called upon to punch clear Ribas Diego’s corner before he tipped away the same player’s shot.

However, the hosts came close to a breakthrough when Vladimir Dvalishvili sent in a close-range shot which was saved by Gianluigi Buffon and the same player then put a header over the bar as they went in search of their first goal in the competition.

Amauri was again thwarted by Davidovitch after being presented with a chance from just six yards but the Maccabi keeper proved himself more than equal.

Dvalishvili had a shot blocked by Nicola Legrottaglie but there were few clear-cut chances and the Serie A side will have been disappointed not to have put more pressure on their Israeli hosts in the opening 45 minutes.

However, they took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Martin Caceres crossed from the right and Camoranesi slotted home to give Juventus a lead they barely deserved.

The second half began in much the same vein with few clear openings, Diego pulling wide a shot five minutes after the hour mark for Juve.

It was a scrappy game with niggly fouls being given away and little to mark it out as Juve failed to impose themselves on their Israeli opponents.

Maccabi certainly were not overawed and with a quarter of an hour remaining Eyal Meshumar drilled in a header which went wide.

However, the game petered out with little attacking intent on show from either side although the Israelis could be proud although they will be itching to at least score in their remaining two games against Bayern and Bordeaux.
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