Another huge disappointment for Juventus Turin. The Bianconeri will miss the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the third consecutive year, humiliated Wednesday at home by Villarreal (3-0), a defeat synonymous with elimination after the draw in the first leg in Spain (1-1 ).
Massimiliano Allegri, the follower of pragmatic victory, took a sacred lesson in efficiency from his Spanish counterpart Unai Emery: his “yellow submarine” surprised Juve in the last quarter of an hour on a penalty transformed by Gerard Moreno (78th), a goal from a corner from Pau Torres (85th) then a new penalty from Arnaut Danjuma (90 + 2nd).
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Juve had already stopped at this stage for the past two seasons, beaten by Lyon then FC Porto, despite already returning home matches. Without the Portuguese superstar, who did no better at Manchester United, the Bianconeri still failed – and in large widths – against an opponent within their reach on paper.
Here is Italy wiped off the European map, once again at the door of the roller coaster and Juve sent back to its limits in the game. Dusan Vlahovic, responsible for making people forget “CR7” this time did not have success despite several chances in the first half and all of Juve was lost in the second half, unable to pack the match despite having control of the ball.
The Serb fell on a vigilant Geronimo Rulli (20th, 35th) and touched the bar on a superb deflection at the near post which would have changed a lot of things (21st).
Juve, left behind in the league, only has the Italian Cup to save its season. Not sure that’s enough for the president of Juve Andrea Agnelli, the one who still dreams aloud of the Super League.