Juventus survived a late drama to take an all-important first-leg lead into the return fixture in Lisbon. Despite beating Sporting ‘to nil,’ it’s hard to admit Allegri’s men deserved the win. They’ll need to improve in Portugal if they’re to make it out of the quarter-finals.
Minute 93: It’s Over!
Referee Halil Umut Meler blows the final whistle! Juventus won the first lag by a narrow 1-0 margin.
Minute 91: Perin Is Juventus Hero!
Perin went nuclear to help Juventus keep hold of a narrow lead with a breathtaking double save to deny two point-blank efforts!
Minute 88: Morita Comes Close
Morita was close to drawing Sporting level but his close-range header went agonizingly wide of the near post.
Minute 73: Gatti Puts Bianconeri In Front
Federico Gatti was quick to stab the rebound into an empty net from the goal-line and put Juventus 1-0 up after Adan denied Vlahovic’s header from the resulting corner-kick.
Minute 62: Double Change at Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic and Nicolo Fagioli are in as Allegri looks to turn the tide.
Minute 47: Sporting Close Again
Mattia Perin makes his first save of the game to deny Goncalves’ long-range effort. Sporting win a corner. Juventus are still dancing on the edge.
Half Time: Juve’s Defensive Resilience Highlights First-Half Proceedings
Despite enjoying a bright start to the encounter, Juventus experienced a steady decline as the first half progressed. Sporting grew into the contest midway through the first half and looked a far better side at the Allianz Stadium, keeping the Bianconeri pinned to their opening third.
But Szczesny and Bremer came up huge to keep Juventus afloat and provide a breathing space going into the second half. Allegri had to pull Szczesny out down the final stretch of the first half after the Polish goalkeeper felt discomfort in his chest, with Mattia Perin taking his place between the sticks.
Nonetheless, Allegri’s men must put their foot on the gas to stay unbeaten, let alone secure a much-needed first-leg lead.
Minute 33: You Shall Not Pass
Juventus star defender Gleison Bremer made a vital block to prevent Sporting winger Nuno Santos from breaking the deadlock. What a clearance from the Brazilian!
33' | GIGANTE GLEISON ?
Che salvataggio di Bremer ?#JUVSCP [0-0] #UEL
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) April 13, 2023
Minute 30: Juventus Weather the Storm Again
Pedro Goncalves takes a solid shot toward the right post, but the goalkeeper showcases impressive reflexes and makes a diving save to prevent the ball from finding the back of the net.
Minute 29: Szczesny Thwarts Coates
Sporting spurned another huge chance to open the scoring. Sebastian Coates latched onto the rebound hard, but Wojciech Szczesny made a stellar save to keep the visiting captain at bay.
Minute 22: Morita Almost Produces the Spectacular
After Chiesa’s openings, Sporting replied through Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita who went for the spectacular, only to see his outrageous attempt fly a whisker wide of the left post. What a chance for the visitors!
Minute 16: Adan Wins Another Head-to-Head vs Chiesa
Sporting keeper Adan delivers again! He snuffs out the danger, stopping Chiesa’s effort from close range with a comfortable save.
Minute 12: Chiesa Denied by Adan
Another chance goes begging. Federico Chiesa found some space inside the box after receiving a precise through ball. But Antonio Adan pulled off a vital stop to deflect his shot for a corner-kick.
Minute 6: Milik Narrowly Off Mark
Arkadiusz Milik was the first Juventus player to threaten Sporting’s goal. However, his effort from inside the box flew narrowly off target.
Kick Off! Buckle Up, We Are Live
It’s a ‘make or break’ as far as Juventus’ Champions League hopes are concerned. Stay with us to follow the latest match updates.
Forzaaaaaa ??#JUVSCP #UEL pic.twitter.com/Panpu86WD0
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) April 13, 2023
Juventus and Sporting CP are about to face off against each other at the Allianz Stadium in the first leg of their handsomely-looking Europa League quarter-final tie. The stakes are as high as it gets for the Bianconeri after their pursuit of a top-four finish in Serie A suffered a blow last weekend.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men were on the verge of reigniting their top-four bid following a 15-point deduction before Lazio stopped them in their tracks. Juve’s 2-1 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico last Saturday condemned them to an eight-point deficit on fourth-placed Milan with nine games to go.
It means they will probably have to find an alternate route in next season’s Champions League group stages. Lifting the Europa League trophy for the first time since 1992/93 is the way to go, as it would guarantee a group-stage berth. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see Juventus go for broke tonight.
Watch out for Angel Di Maria, who has made the Europa League knockout stages his personal playing ground. With four strikes in springtime European fixtures, including a ‘Puskas Award nominee’ against Nantes, the Argentine should be Juventus’ main attacking threat this evening.
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