Juventus opened their Champions League campaign this evening with a Group B clash against Copenhagen at the Parken Stadion.
Antonio Conte's side were heavy favourites to secure all three points in the Danish capital, but fell behind after 16 minutes when Nicolai Jorgensen stabbed home from close range.
The visitors got back on level terms in the second half through Fabio Quagliarella, but were kept at bay late on by a fantastic performance from Copenhagen keeper Johan Wiland.
Look back on a frustrating night for the Old Lady with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage below.
Evening European fans and welcome to the start of the 2013-14 Champions League group stages. Sports Mole will have live text coverage of each and every match in this season's showpiece competition, with our focus here on the Group B opener between Italian champions Juventus and Danish underdogs FC Copenhagen.
Juve marked their return to the Champions League last season with a run to the last eight, before Bayern Munich proved too strong over two legs. Antonio Conte's side are back this year and hopeful of mounting a serious challenge for their first success on the continent in 17 years!
Conte has made a conscious effort to recruit in the close season with a focus on improving in Europe, adding Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente added to a squad that has won successive Serie A titles. The Old Lady supremo clearly believes that Juve were short of a world-class striker to hurt Bayern when it counted last season, with Tevez in particular brought in to fit that bill.
Tevez has made a fantastic start to life in Turin, scoring in three of his first four matches with the Bianconeri. The Argentine has been specifically recruited to impress in the Champions League this season, so will be under instant pressure to deliver in Denmark tonight.
Let's give you the lowdown on tonight's hosts as we await word on the starting XIs, with Copenhagen heavy underdogs in a Group B also containing Galatasaray and Real Madrid. The Danes endured a disastrous start to the season, failing to win any of their first 12 games. That led to Stale Solbakken rejoining the club after a brief spell at Wolves, with his arrival helping to steady the ship somewhat.
Solbakken's side may be up against it in Group B but can look back with pride on their last appearance in the competition, which saw them qualify for the knockout stages against all odds. That adventure in 2010-11 saw Copenhagen finish second behind Barcelona in their group, before being edged over two legs by Chelsea in the last 16.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received the starting XIs from the Parken Stadion, which features some notable rotation from Juve as Fabio Quagliarella starts in attack. A full look at both teams will follow shortly.
JUVE: Buffon, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Peluso, Quagliarella, Tevez
COPENHAGEN: Wiland, Jacobsen, Mellberg, R Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Bolanos, Claudemir, Delaney, Braaten, Adi, N Jorgensen
Three changes in total for Juve then from the side which drew 1-1 against Inter at the San Siro on Saturday, which we will run through in turn. First off Tevez has a new partner in attack, with Mirko Vucinic rested. In comes Quagliarella for his first start of the season and a chance to prove he deserves to remain a feature for the Old Lady this season.
Juve have also opted to make a change in defence, with summer signing Angelo Ogbonna brought in to a three-man backline. Andrea Barzagli played through the pain barrier against Inter so has not travelled to Denmark, with Ogbonna brought in to play alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
One final change of note to report then for the visitors, with Kwadwo Asamoah swapped for Federico Peluso, who is a slightly more defensive option at wing-back. Conte has spoken about the need to rotate ahead of tonight's match, so his treble change is not a huge surprise.
With a full squad to choose from Copenhagen boss Solbakken has decided to give Daniel Braaten a full debut in his starting XI this evening. The former Bolton Wanderers winger came off the bench to help the Danes draw 1-1 with Esbjerg last weekend, doing enough to break into the side.
The hosts have a familar name to Juve fans at the heart of central defence this evening, with Swedish stalwart Olof Mellberg adding experience at the back. The 36-year-old spent a season with the Old Lady in 2008 and will come up against his former club at the Parken for the first time tonight.
Well worth noting tonight that Juve have just six subs at their disposal, but a high-class list of international waiting in reserve which includes Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco. A list of this evening's substitutes will follow in just a few moments.
JUVE SUBS: Storari, De Ceglie, Padoin, Asamoah, Isla, Giovinco, Llorente
COPENHAGEN SUBS: Jensen, Margreitter, Remmer, Kristensen, Gislason, Santin, Toutouh
Copenhagen will be backed by a sellout crowd of 38,000 fans tonight, but their home form is nothing short of appalling in 2013. Solbakken's side last won a home game in March, with a vast improvement required to compete with Juve this evening.
Perhaps Solbakken's side have been studying the film from Juve's last trip to Denmark, which came at this stage of the competition last season. That came against their domestic rivals Nordsjaelland, who were able to impose their games on the Italian champions and earn a 1-1 draw. A similar result for Copenhagen tonight would be a real shock though!
PREDICTION! With Pirlo, Pogba and co. just out at a racous Parken Stadion there is just time for me to rather predictably go for a Juve win. With Copengahen in wretched domestic form I just cannot see Conte's side slipping up tonight. I'll go for Quagliarella to notch on his first start of the season in a 2-0 win for the visitors.
A packed Parken look well up for tonight's Group B opener, creating a noisy atmosphere as the famous Champions League anthem is played. Kickoff is just moments away!
After a change of ends we are ready to get underway in the Danish capital, with Copenhagen kicking off shooting from left to right. Juve are wearing a changed yellow and blue strip this evening. Here we go!
Copenhagen win a free kick just outside the penalty area with their first attack, as Adi uses strength to hold up before being brought down by a combination of Ogbonna and Pogba. Bengtsson decides to take but strikes straight into a five-man wall.
Juve get their first possession to a chorus of boos, with Lichtsteiner brought down by Braaten out wide. More like it from the Italian champions, as Lichtsteiner just fails to control a clever diagonal from Bonucci as he advances into the penalty area.
CHANCE! Pirlo comes across to take the first corner kick and clips a clever low cross into the penalty area. Tevez reads his intentions in a move straight off the training ground, but drives just wide of the near post.
Juve have settled in possession as Pogba helps on to Peluso with a brave header, before Pirlo switches out wide to Bonucci. Patient probing from the visitors, which is eventually broken up by a stay pass in central midfield.
Adi has options left and right as he catches out Bonucci just outside the penalty area, but elects to shoot instead. His casual drive deflects through to Buffon, with Juve getting an early warning that they must guard against complacency.
Braaten gets a warning from the referee after lunging into a sliding tackle on Lichtsteiner, which is already his second foul of the evening. The Swiss full-back is quickly involved again as he drives down the line, before being frustrated by an astute piece of defending from Bengtsson.
Braaten just drifts offside as he attempts to meet a long pass from Bolanos, coming off the flank quickly but just failing to time his run. Pogba then does something very similar at the other end, with Mellberg using his experience to step out at just the right time.
GOAL! Copenhagen 1-0 Juventus (Jorgensen)
The Danish champions have a shock lead through Jorgensen, who reacts quickest after Juve failed to defend a free kick. Ogbonna is culpable after losing out to Mellberg in an aerial duel, with Jorgensen on hand to find the bottom corner from close range. What a start for Solbakken's side!
Juve come close to drawing level almost instantly as Tevez strikes from range, with Wiland spilling his low strike. Quagliarella came close to collecting the rebound inside the box, before going down under minimal contact from the goalkeeper. Conte wants a spot kick but appeals are quickly turned away as Copenhagen smash clear!
A second corner for the visitors sees Wiland come out to collect a cross which deflected into his path, courtesy of Delaney. Pressure being applied now for Juve after that shocking start.
SAVE! Wiland has just made a superb stop but it really should be 1-1. Chiellini ghosted clear at the far post but had his diving header tipped over the crossbar. From the following corner Pogba is presented with the chance to volley from six yards, but somehow manages to blaze over. What an opportunity wasted!
More encouraging signs for Copenhagen as Adil's strength helps launch an attack, with Braaten winning a corner kick after forcing an interception from Lichtsteiner. When the cross comes in Buffon is able to punch clear in a packed penalty area, with Mellberg conceding a free kick when the ball is knocked back towards danger.
Vidal and Tevez looks for Lichtsteiner again out wide, with the wing-back winning another corner kick. Pirlo comes across to take and sends a delightful ball into the penalty area, but after a goalmouth scramble Bonucci can only hammer well over. Strong defending there from Copenhagen, who look well up for the fight this evening.
Quagliarella picks up the ball up deep before switching to Peluso. His high diagonal towards the far post is knocked behind for a corner kick, which leaves Tevez furious after being played short by Pirlo and Vidal. Tevez eventually receives the ball, before curling just over the top corner.
Quagliarella is flagged for offside rather harshly as he chases down a long ball forward from Ogbonna. Juve just need to show more patience in possession, with Vidal and Pogba struggling to have an influence on the game at this stage.
Just as I criticise his contribution Pogba nearly finds the equaliser. Tevez found the midfielder with a cross into the penalty area, with his powerful header just trickling beyond the near post. More like it from the visitors.
Juve get numbers forward as Lichtsteiner gets on the end of Lichsteiner's cutback at the far post, but fails to control as the chance goes begging. Copenhagen are just starting to get stretched as we head towards the interval, with their narrow advantage still intact.
YELLOW CARD! Copenhagen take the pressure off with a spell of possession, as Jorgensen and Delaney manage to keep the ball in the opponents half. Claudemir eventually loses out to end that spell, as Pogba draws a foul near the corner flag. Mellberg was caught out there by the Frenchman's quick feet, which earns the Swede a yellow card.
HALF-TIME Copenhagen 1-0 Juventus
Well I did not expect that scoreline at the end of a thoroughly entertaining first period at the Parken. Copenhagen have fought, chased and harried and have a 1-0 advantage to show for their efforts, thanks to the quick instincts of Jorgensen.
For a side that pride their winning formula on solidity Juve conceded the opener in pretty poor circumstances. Conte will be livid that Ogbonna and Chiellini were both beaten in the penalty area, with Jorgenson on hand to take advantage and break the deadlock after 16 minutes.
Juve probably should be level to further annoy Conte, with Pogba spurning more than one gilt-edged opportunity to equalise. Plenty of time to respond after the break though, with Tevez in particular looking lively during the first period.
BENCH WATCH! With the pressure on Juve to respond after the break don't be surprised to see Conte make changes early in the second half. Llorente could offer a more direct alternative in attack, while Giovinco has the pace and vision to unlock any defence on his best day. Plenty to ponder during the interval for the visitors.
Both sides are back out at the Parken Stadion and ready to get the second half underway. Can Copenhagen hang on to record what would surely be the shock result of the opening night of Champions League action.
Juve get the second period started as Pirlo knocks back to Chiellini, keeping possession deep inside their own half under pressure from the hosts.
Vidal is just crowded out as Juve threaten down the left flank, with the visitors earning a corner kick. Pirlo again chooses to work short for Vidal, who sends a cross into the box which is only missed by Chiellini at the far post by a matter of inches.
YELLOW CARDS! Bengtsson has just picked up a caution for time wasting just minutes into the second half, as he delays taking a throw in near the corner flag. When Juve resume play Peluso is cautioned for simulation, with Lichtsteiner soon following as he is booked for complaining about a foul by Braaten. Three yellow cards in the space of a minute, quite remarkable.
SAVE! Tevez has just been denied by a top-class stop from Wiland. The forward is picked out by a wonderful through ball from Pirlo, who caught the Copenhagen defence static. Tevez had time pick his spot but was denied by Wiland, who parried from point-blank range.
GOAL! Copenhagen 1-1 Juventus (Quagliarella)
Juve are finally level as Tevez and Quagliarella combine to deadly effect in the penalty area. Tevez stepped over Peluso's low cross to create space for his strike partner, who took full advantage to fire into the top corner. It's no less than Juve deserve in truth, all square in the Danish capital!
Here come Juve again as Peluso breaks clear out wide, crossing towards open space at the far post. Lichtsteiner arrives right on cue to volley at goal, but is always leaning back and hammers high wide and handsome. Juve are completely on top now, with Copenhagen struggling to maintain the pressing that served them so well early on.
Pirlo attempts to catch out Wiland with a low strike from range, with his effort parried back out towards Lichtsteiner. His cutback is aimed towards Tevez at the near post, but Sigurdsson does just enough to stop the striker aiming a header towards goal.
OFF THE BAR! Quagliarella goes within inches of his second and a decisive strike for Juve. The forward swivels brilliantly to meet a curling cross from Lichsteiner, flicking a header towards the top corner that comes back off the upright. So unlucky!
Lichtsteiner wins a free kick another barnstorming run out wide. The Swiss full-back has been nothing short of immense tonight, but his side are still level as we head towards the final 20 minutes.
SUBSTITUTION: Copenhagen decide to bring on some fresh legs in the final third, with the battering ram of Adi replaced by Gislason. The former Charlton man is a midfielder, who will probably play just behind Jorgenson as Copenhagen look to hang on.
The match just starts to open up a touch as Jorgensen drives over from distance in a rare Copenhagen attack. At the other end Tevez runs into traffic as the hosts scramble clear, with Quagliarella caught offside chasing a pass from Pogba.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Juve make their second change out wide as De Ceglie comes on to replace Peluso. Time running out now for the visitors to snatch all three points as Tevez is the latest player to drift offside.
SAVE! Wiland makes another wonderful stop to keep Juve at bay. Vidal looked destined to score after drifting inside to meet Quagliarella's flick header, but from close range his drive into the ground is saved by the in-form goalkeeper.
Juve throw on Giovinco for Quagliarella, with the forward on for less than a minute before Wiland's latest world-class stop. Tevez had a header turned away at the near post, with the keeper quickly up to deny Pogba's curling drive in the next passage of play. What a night he is having!
Vidal smacks a speculative strike wide when Giovinco was a far better option just inside. The Chilean has been far from his vintage best this evening, as Wiland is called into action again to turn away Giovinco's drive at the near post. Juve cannot believe they are not ahead.
Juve pour forward as Lichsteiner keeps the ball in play out wide, but his cross is overhit and goes beyond De Ceglie's desperate run on the opposite flank. Just four minutes plus stoppage time now for the hosts to hang on now, as Pirlo collects possession in central midfield.
SUBSTITUTION: A final change for Copenhagen as Margreitter comes on to replace Claudemir in central midfield. The hosts have found their second wind as they press all over the pitch, nearly forcing a mistake from Ogbonna as he passes back to Buffon.
SUBSTITUTION: Isla replaces Lichtsteiner as Juve throw everything into a final push for the winner. Giovinco's quick feet in the penalty area nearly pays off, but Mellberg just about scrambles clear before a stray pass from Ogbonna helps the hosts take a welcome breather.
Vidal gets a caution for a cynical foul in central midfield as we head into stoppage time. Conte looks over anxiously to see three additional minutes awarded. Is there still time for a late winner?
Tevez has just surely missed Juve's last chance, turning wide unmarked from six yards after meeting an inviting near-post cross from Giovinco.
FULL-TIME Copenhagen 1-1 Juventus
Well despite dominating possession and territory Juve have failed to claim all three points at the Parken Stadion with Copehagen digging deep at the end to earn a famous point. The hosts have Wiland to thank for their share of the spoils, after he made a series of wonderful saves to keep the Old Lady at bay.
That will just about do it for our coverage from the Danish capital, with just enough time for me to report that Real Madrid are 6-1 up against Galatasaray in tonight's other Group B clash. Good evening!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
