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Juventus fight back to reach Champions League quarter-finals
Heartbreak for Spurs as Higuaín & Dybala strike in the second half to give Juve a 2-1 (4-3 Aggregate) win
Mitch Freeley
Match Report
Juventus showed their Champions League pedigree coming from a goal behind to seal an impressive 2-1 win on the night and a 4-3 aggregate victory over a spirited Tottenham side on Wednesday evening. Goals from Gonzalo Higuaín & Paulo Dybala cancelled out Son Heung-min's scrappy opener to ensure last season's finalists progressed to the quarterfinals.
Wembley was packed for the tie, with Tottenham fans in full voice willing their side to only their second ever Champions League quarterfinals. Spurs could have made a dream start when Harry Kane latched onto a through ball from Delle Alli. In one swift move, the England international had rounded Juventus stopper Buffon but the angle was against Kane and his shot hit the side netting.
Moments later, Juventus were baying for a penalty when Douglas Costa was hacked down by Jan Vertonghen. The referee waved away their complaints but in retrospect, the Italian Champions really should have had a spot-kick. Spurs ramped up the pressure with the surging runs of Son Heung-min on the left wing troubling Juve. The South Korean international was not to be denied and Spurs deservedly took the lead in fortuitous circumstances.
A drilled cross from Trippier evaded Christian Eriksen, thankfully Son was on hand at the back post and stumbled as he took his shot the ball bobbled awkwardly past Buffon to give Spurs the lead. Immediately Juventus went on the attack, with a dangerous cross from Costa eventually falling to Pjanic his shot edged just wide. The first half ended 1-0 Spurs.
Mauricio Pochettino's side started the second half positively and looked to kill the game off with a decisive second goal. However, Juventus had other ideas, breaking up the play and disrupting the tempo of the game with a series of rash challenges. With an hour left to play Allegri threw on Stephan Lichtsteiner for Medhi Benatia, it proved to be a tactical masterstroke.
Lichtsteiner whipped in a fine cross from the right-hand side to find Sami Khedira who headed the ball into the path of Higuaín who instinctively stuck out a foot to guide the ball into the back of the net. Juventus found a leveller and a way back into the tie.
Spurs looked shell-shocked and the experience of Juventus showed. This time Higuaín turned provider, holding off Vertonghen expertly and playing through Dybala. The Argentine was left one on one with Loris and made no mistake, firing past the helpless keeper to give Juventus the lead.
The north London side needed a goal to force extra-time and pressed hard in the final stages of the game. With minutes left Harry Kane had Buffon beaten with a header that rebounded off the post, thankfully Barzagli was on hand to clear off the line. That proved to be the last chance for Spurs as Juventus showed their experience to see out the tie to seal a famous 2-1 (4-3 aggregate) victory.
Live Updates
Second Half
Full Time- Juventus have done it! A 2-1 win on the night and a stunning 4-3 aggregate win. They showed plenty of character and two goals in three second-half minutes from Higuaín & Dybala sealed a famous victory.
90+2 Juventus are showing their experience here. Slowing the final second down.
90- Three minutes of stoppage time to be played. Sturaro has a snapshot. Saved and cleared upfield by Loris.
89- Off the line! What defending from Juve! Kane heads the ball onto the post, Buffon is beaten! Barzagli clears off the line. Unbelievable!
85- A Final roll of the dice from Spurs. Alli is replaced by former Juventus man Llorente
83- Higuaín departs. Sturaro comes on. He'll be expected to defend these final seven or so minutes.
82- Close! Son unleashes a curler the ball skims wide. Buffon screams at his defence.
79- The Spurs fans are willing their team on. Davis clips in a dangerous cross Chiellini heads away. Again. He's been tremendous at the back for Juve
76- Spurs are bossing possession and pushing Juventus back. For the time being, Juventus are being Juventus and defending well.
73- Spurs have to go for it. Dier makes way. Attacking midfielder Eric Lamela comes on.
71- Spurs look shell-shocked. They need to get a goal back and quickly to take this to extra time.
66- GOAL! 2-1 JUVE! Wow! Spurs are stunned. Higuaín with a peach of a pass to play through Dybala who is left one on one with Loris. The playmaker is composed and fires it into the back of the net! 4-3 to Juve on Aggregate!
63- GOAL! 1-1 sub Lichtsteiner makes an immediate impact! His cross finds Khedira who heads into the path of Higuaín who guides the ball into the back of the net with his right food. The Juventus fans have woken up! GAME ON 1-1! (3-3 on aggregate)
59- First subs of the night. Juve takes off Matuidi who has been quiet today and replace him with Kwadwo Asamoah. A minute later Benatia leaves the pitch and Stephan Lichtsteiner comes on.
58- Juve are on thin ice here. Pjanic snaps into another tackle and Spurs win a freekick. The fans are baying for a second yellow, but the referee waves the protests away.
56- Barzagli should have had a yellow for that challenge on Son, he's got away with one there. Juventus need to buck their ideas up!
54- This is getting a little scrappy now. Alli picks up a yellow for a high foot on German midfielder Sami Khedira
51- Chiellini clatters into Alli. Yellow card for the central defender.
50- Vertonghen chases down Higuaín and wins the ball back for Spurs, a quick pass to Alli who attempts a shot from 25 yards out. The ball trickles out!
47- Spurs have started the second half positively. Plenty of purpose from the North London side.
Peep- Juventus get us underway in their yellow kits
First Half
Half-time- 1-0 Spurs Son's bundled effort is the difference maker as Spurs lead at the break. The second half is going to be interesting, Juve has to go all out attack in the second half. Join me in 15 minutes. I'm off for a cup of tea!
45- Two minutes of stoppage time to play. Juventus need the break, they look rattled.
43- Pjanic picks up a yellow for a challenge on Alli. He'll miss the next game if Juve progress.
40- Juve immediately go on the attack, with a dangerous cross eventually falling to Pjanic. His shot skims past the post. So Close
39- GOAL SPURS! It's advantage Tottenham. Son, who has been the best player on the pitch so far gets the goal, after bundling it in from the back post.
38- Chance! Son, who has been a constant menace on the left wing has a shot, it trickles past the far post.
37- Spurs have started to slow the pace down and keep the ball. The fans are in full voice. This game is bubling over nicely!
35- Yellow for Juventus Alex Sandro goes into the book for a rash challenge on Trippier
33- Eriksen floats a ball to Harry Kane who is stationed on the left he smashes the ball goalwards, well wide.
31- Alli has a shot from 20 yards out, Buffon is equal to it.
STATS UPDATE- Juve has a slight advantage with 52% possession. Not that you can tell, this is a very even game.
27- The First yellow of the night goes to Spurs. Vertonghen is the culprit, after crunching into Paulo Dybala
25- We have a break in play as Eric Dier receives some treatment. It allows us to take a breath, it's been frantic so far!
20- Spurs go on the attack. Trippier knocks a cross to the back post to find Son who heads towards goal. Buffon punches the effort away.
Huge penalty shout! Has @JanVertonghen got away with one there? #beINUCL #TOTJUV pic.twitter.com/QtBBzrC8UB — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 7, 2018
17- Penalty shout for Juve?! Vertonghen sythes down Costa in the box. The Juventus players crowd the referee demanding on a penalty, who waves the protests away.
14- Side netting! Harry Kane with the chance. Dele Ali slips in his team-mate with a dream through ball, Kane shrugs off the advances of Chiellini and rounds Buffon, but misses from the tight angle.
12- Alex Sandro with a cross which was bound for Higuain. Vertonghen steps in with a headed clearance. Solid from the Belgian international.
10- The pace has been frantic in the opening ten minutes. An early goal and this game has the potential to be a Champions League classic!
6- Juventus start to keep the ball and settle into the match after a long spell of possession the ball falls to Douglas Costa who whips in a dangerous cross which is just too long for Higuain.
3- Chance for Spurs! Son beats a defender and smashes a shot towards goal. Buffon swipes the ball away. Spurs have started well.
1- Alex Sandro stretches his legs and dribbles up the wing. He runs the ball out of play, much to the delight of the Spurs fans.
Peep- Spurs get us underway!
The minute's silence for Davide Astori impeccably observed.
Preamble
The teams are in the tunnel! A quick reminder before we get going... You can watch all the action on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
It's a huge boost for Juventus that Paulo Dybala is back in the side. They certainly missed his attacking flair in the first-leg. Could the Argentine playmaker be the difference maker? I hope so for the sake of that fantastic bit of alliteration he is.
Just under 20 minutes to Kick-Off. Our co-commentator Jim Beglin is backing Spurs. Who do you think will win tonight?
.@CarrieBrownTV asks the all important question..."who is the favorite here tonight?"@jimbeglin's made his mind up, have you? #beINUCL #TOTJUV pic.twitter.com/6lFwju21Ky — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 7, 2018
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Juve has revealed their starting lineup. Fresh from scoring a late winner at the weekend, Dybala starts, Higuain shakes off an injury to play.
Juventus XI: Buffon; Barzagli, Benatia, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi; Dybala, Higuain, Douglas Costa
Bench: Szczęsny, Rugani, Lichtsteiner, Asamoah, Marchisio, Sturaro, Bentancur#TOTJuve #UCL #TOGETHER — JuventusFC (@juventusfc) March 7, 2018
TEAM NEWS KLAXON! Those teams are in! First up Tottenham.
A fully fit team for Spurs, bar Toby Alderweireld. As expected Kane, Son & Dele Ali all start.
#THFC: Lloris (C), Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/NNToY2RoiB — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 7, 2018
Meanwhile, Juventus have finally arrived at the stadium. They are looking pretty swave all in black.
The boys are here at @wembleystadium ready to do battle 💪🏟🏳🏴#TOGETHER #TOTJuve #FinoAllaFine pic.twitter.com/fcq62TjIfy — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 7, 2018
Juventus have reached the Champions League final twice in the last three seasons, and head coach Massimiliano Allegri is certainly not underestimating Spurs heading into the second leg.
#Allegri 🗣️ "For us this game is like a final." #beINUCL #TOTJUV pic.twitter.com/PPghoiHvIZ — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 7, 2018
Dele Alli could be the key man for Spurs tonight, and the England international midfielder has certainly impressed this season in the Champions League.
With 2 goals and 3 assists in the #UCL this season, @dele_official is a man to be feared. #beINUCL #TOTJUV pic.twitter.com/axBmXsAtOe — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 7, 2018
Juve's kit men have at least arrived and decked out the away dressing room. No word on team-sheets yet, but as soon as they get released I'll post them up for you!
Really inside 👕#TOTJuve #TOGETHER #UCL pic.twitter.com/WFfzonevwB — JuventusFC (@juventusfc) March 7, 2018
Spurs have arrived. They all look pretty confident.
Not long now... 👊 #COYS pic.twitter.com/00QQ0xzVtI — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 7, 2018
Hello! Welcome to the Live updates for Tottenham Vs Juventus stadium. It's safe to say that this match was the most entertaining tie of the first leg contests as Tottenham came from two goals down to level the tie 2-2 at Allianz. This evening, the tie is being played at Wembley, the tempory home of Spurs this season. The atmosphere promises to be special and the live updates even better. If live text updates ain't your thing you can always watch the action live & exclusive via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Preview
Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping that they can make home advantage count when they welcome Juventus to Wembley stadium on Wednesday evening in their second-leg round of 16 tie. Spurs impressed in the first leg, battling back from two goals down to register an impressive 2-2 draw at the Allianz Stadium, a capacity crowd is expected at the home of English football on Wednesday evening and fans will be willing Spurs on to make an appearance in the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2010–11 season. As ever you can watch all of the action live & exclusively on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Spurs will be without defender Toby Alderweireld for the game. The Belgian international returned last month from a three-month spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, however, the medical team has deemed that the defender will be unavailable for the game. Serge Aurier is suspended and will also not take part in the match.
The advantage is certainly with Tottenham after scoring two away goals in the first game. In fact, Mauricio Pochettino’s team became the first team to overturn a two-goal deficit at the Allianz Stadium since Juventus moved to the venue in 2011. Whilst Spurs are only one of three teams who are still unbeaten in the competition this season.
Ahead of the game, Mauricio Pochettino suggested that his sides run in the competition has caused European giants to respect his team. “They respect the philosophy we build and the football we play. We feel we have respect for the brand of football we show, they respect us in Europe we feel."
Key Information
Location- Wembley Stadium, London
Kick-off- 22:45 Mecca
Watch online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT
Channel-11 HD
Finalists in two of the last three seasons, Juventus have more than enough pedigree to progress to the quarterfinals. Massimiliano Allegri will be without the trio of Juan Cuadrado, Mattia de Sciglio and Federico Bernardeschi who are injured for the game.
However, Juve will be boosted by the return of Paulo Dybala, who did miss out the first-leg contest. The Argentine play-maker warmed up for the mid-week game by bagging a last-minute winner against Lazio to give his side a 1-0 win and extend their winning streak in the league to three games.
History is certainly on Juve’s side heading into the crunch encounter on Wednesday evening. The Turin based side have only lost one of their last seven away games in Champions League knockout phase, winning 3 and drawing 3 games. Whilst they have also kept a clean sheet in their last three knockout games.
Veteran stopper Gianluigi Buffon will have to be at his very best if he is to keep out Harry Kane. If Buffon is to keep a clean sheet it will be his 50th in the Champions League and will join Iker Casillas & Edwin van der Sar as the only keepers to achieve the feat.
It certainly promises to be an interesting tactical battle when Juventus head to London to take on Spurs for a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.You can watch all the action on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.