Both coaches expressed their satisfaction withtheir teams performances following last night’s Champions League semi-final 1st leg, in which Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 win over Juventus.

The result leaves the tie finely poised for the return leg in Turin in a week’s time and Juve coach Marcello Lipppi admitted he remained confident his team would prevail.

“We expected to suffer a little bit against a teamof such quality, but it appeared to me that Real Madrid tired a little as the game went on. I look very positively at the return leg and I have total confidence we can overturn their lead and reach the final.”

“They surprised me a little bit with their offensive line-up because I had expected two central midfielders like Steve McManaman or Flavio Conceicao to be in contention to play,” he said.

“Instead it was Guti with Morientes up front.

“But my team always fought for the result we wanted,” Lippi added.

Lippi refused to contest the decision which allowed Roberto Carlos’ goal to standÿon 73 minutes, despite the linesman flagging for offside. Norwegian referee Terje Hauge overruled his assistant and allowed the goal to stand.

“I accept referees decisions and I’m happy enough with the score,” he said.

“Zidane was great tonight but that’s the type of player he is. On big nights in a great stadium he always shows up.”

Real coach Vicente Del Bosque was equally satisfied with the scoreline.

“It’s obvious to me that it is nearly impossible to kill off a tie against a club of Juventus’ quality in the first game,” he said.

“The score is tight but we have the advantage. Juventus are a defensive team, with many players behind the ball, and that is why I tried to give them asurprise by playing Guti and Morientes.”