Villarreal 1-1 Juventus: Vlachovic’s historic goal wasn’t enough

Dusan Vlachovic scored after 32 seconds on his Champions League debut, but his goal tally wasn’t enough to give Juventus victory in ‘Theramika’. Villarreal equalized 1-1 in the 2nd half a fair draw from the first game of the round of 16.

The “Yellow Submarine” also had a crossbar a few minutes after the shock of the first minute, was more dominant on the field, but didn’t have very good chances.

The two sides meet again in Turin on March 16 where they will settle their differences unaffected by the away goal.

Unai Emery sent Giovanni lo Celso behind Arno Danzuma due to Gerard Moreno’s absence while Samos Chuqueze ran down the right flank. Massimiliano Allegri covered the stopper problem with Danilo, playing 4-4-2 at the start, with Alvaro Morata alongside Vlachovic.

Danilo and Vlahovic combined before completing a minute of the game to make it 1-0, but the offensive plan didn’t work perfectly then. Juan Cuadrado and Morata twice stepped into the opponent’s box and tried their feet, but the hosts were more dangerous.

Minutes after the goal, Lo Celso hit the crossbar, while in the 16th minute Danzuma threatened with a back-heel to hit Wojciech Sesny. Villarreal’s passing threw the visitors’ defence, even if no further great chances were created.

At the break, Allegri threw in Leonardo Bonucci, who was unplayable for 90 minutes. Alex Sandro’s exit brought the formation to a 3-5-2 and Juventus were more dominant than at the start of the first half, although again they failed to find a quick goal.

A long shot from Juan Cuadrado went too far and then the “yellow submarine” began to accelerate. It was easier to find the ball outside the Juventus penalty area, which was occupied by Italy, until in the 66th minute Etienne Capo’s clever lob found the forgotten Danny Parejo at the height of the penalty and equalized to make it 1-1.

The measures that Juventus had given the hosts could no longer be reversed after the draw. Emery’s move “refreshed” the lungs of the Spanish team, who were held up front. Still, a Vlahovic shot in the 85th minute forced Geronimo Ruli into a double operation.

This was the final good moment of the game which ended awkwardly for Juventus after Weston Makeni lost through injury. The American midfielder’s availability for the second game in three weeks is unknown.

ΒΙΓΙΑΡΕΑΛ: Ruli, Foit, Albiol, Torres, Pedratha (79′ Estupinian), Chuqueze (90′ Pino), Kapou, Parejo, Moreno (79′ Triggeros), Lo Celso, Danzuma (90′ Dia)

JUVENTUS: Cesni, De Silio (87′ Pellegrini), Danilo, De Licht, Sandro (46′ Bonucci), Cuadrado, Locatelli (71′ Arthur), Rabio, Makeni (81′ Zakaria), Vlachovic, Morata

The results of the second games of the round of 16

The program of the second games of phase 16