(AP Photo/Alberto Ramella)

Champions League: Juve wins 1-0 at Maccabi Haifa

RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) Mauro Camoranesi scored in first-half injury time Tuesday as Juventus won 1-0 at Maccabi Haifa to move within another victory of progressing in the Champions League.

Camoranesi fired the ball into the top corner on the half volley following a cross by Martin Caceres just before halftime was blown.

Despite a concerted effort, it was the fourth time in four groups that Haifa failed to score.

Juventus has eight points in Group A, two back from Bordeaux, which beat Bayern Munich 2-0 to move into the next round. Bayern is third with four points, and Maccabi is last with zero points.

Juve coach Ciro Ferrara was delighted, three days after his team gave away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Napoli in the Serie A.

"I am happy we won, the players played well," Ferrara said. "They played with their head, not only with their feet."

By contrast, Maccabi Haifa midfielder Gustavoi Boccoli was again disappointed with his team's form in front of goal. The Israelis are the only team not to have scored in the Champions League group stage so far.

"It isn't enough just to try and try - at this level, you need experience. We are learning," the Brazilian said. "We still have two games left and a goal will come. If you look at the statistics, you can see that it isn't that we aren't taking enough shots. The ball just isn't going in."

Maccabi appeared frustrated throughout the game, none more so when striker Shlomi Arbeitman's close-range shot hit the post after a goal-mouth scramble in the 31st minute.

Juventus playmaker Diego was a standout player, terrorizing the defense, especially during a 20-minute period in the first half.

The Brazilian's best chance came in the sixth minute when he received the ball from Camoranesi, evaded the defense and powered a shot that goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch pushed away for a corner.

Davidovitch was tested on numerous occasions and was largely responsible for only conceding one goal.

Maccabi Haifa grew in confidence as the half progressed, pushing forward when possible. But while the hosts were unable to find the net, Camoranesi showed his experience with a clinical finish just before halftime.

The Argentine-born Italy international arrived in the box to meet Caceres' pass and volleyed in beyond the reach of Davidovitch.

Updated November 3, 2009