Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid

By tdf, May 6, 2015

What began as a huge cloud of anxiety dominating the skyline was blown away with the first kick of the game revealing a night where finally once again we could see Juve stars shining as brightly as any other above.

Allegri had stunned a fair few with his selection of Vidal as the trequartista and moreso, the inclusion of 22 year old Stefano Sturaro. A player with limited experience at the club domestically, having signed in January to help plug the gaps left by a flurry of injuries to key first XI players, he had played barely five minutes of champions league football prior to his sterling showing last night.

The game began at a frantic pace with Juve instantly applying pressure. The goal when it came after a delightful passage of 27 passes from the home side was very much in harmony with the run of play.

After which, we seemed to confidently control the pace of the game for 20 minutes until a lapse in concentration at the back gifted the opponents an equalizer. It was smartly created yet the complete absence of marking on Ronaldo was hugely disappointing. The goal sucked the wind from our sails. Nerves began to tense up and the tide turned. It was during this period leading up to half time that Madrid were on top, not hugely so, yet surely gaining confidence as our own fortitude was recovering. During this whole period Madrid managed only one gilt-edged chance, with James heading against the bar from close range after yet more crafty build-up play. At first glance it appeared that the Colombian has wasted a glorious opportunity, yet replays showed the outstretched boot of Sturaro inching with all he could muster, deflecting the ball upwards and onto the bar. It was truly a magnificent block. 1-2 could have signalled the end of the tie as a competition.

The whistle for half time was welcome. A chance to regroup and refocus.

The pattern of the second period proved far more even. The home side sat back, allowed the opponents possession then hustled and harried in numbers whenever our 18 yard box was threatened. I could sense that we would find more chances as Real ploughed forward to regain the lead. And so it came as no surprise to find the bianconeri winning a penalty after a lightning fast counter-attack found Morata clipped to the ground by the hapless Marcelo and Tevez knocked down by a clumsy challenge in the box when the only other option for the defender was to let him shoot on goal from close range.

After reclaiming what I hope, alongside the the 250 million juventini worldwide, an important lead, the shape of both sides was changed. We ceded even more possession yet were far from under siege. Our opponents restricted to a series of half chances and resorting to lumping high balls into the box out of hope not guile.

Player Ratings-

Buffon.
Other than the goal on which he stood no chance, Santo Buffon had one fine save to make from a long range effort by Kroos, claimed many crosses and his distribution was solid. 7

Lichsteiner
Phenomenal. Whilst his form has been perhaps a little inconsistent of late, he was back to his very best when it mattered most. Covering, marking Ronaldo on occasion, denying any space or time on the ball to his foes. His tackling and all round play was superb. Only Ivanovic of Chelsea fame offers more strength in the right full back role than our dear Swiss Nazi, and even he would have been mightily proud of the determination and prowess shown by his Juve counterpart. Immense. 9

Bonucci
A few nervy moments early doors, yet grew in stature as the game progressed. Criticism can be aimed in his direction for the goal conceded, for he appeared caught in two minds of who to challenge or cover. And with Vidal close enough to bother Rodriguez, big Leo made the wrong call. As Ronaldo sneaked in for a free header from two yards out. However, it must be said that as the game wore on, Bonucci resumed his role as defensive blockade, brought the ball out of defence when safe and open and held the line well enough. 6.

Chiellini
King Giorgio lives for these kind of battles. He deployed his usual repertoire of pulls, gouges, cheeky fouls and monstrous challenges. He was not beaten once. And when he received a nasty, but ill-timed rather than malicious elbow to the head, and the claret flowed, he stepped up a gear. His bandage and shirt drenched in blood, I saw a man who truly believed he was not involved in a football match, but a war! Wounds make him Rambo. A true and brutal centurion. Kept it simple with the ball at his feet, physical and dominant in the tackle. A Titan. 8

Evra
The highly experienced french General gave a master class down the left flank. Covering, blocking and foraging forward with confidence. One of his best showings for the club since signing last Summer, which couldn’t have come at a better time, other than the final, if we make it. 8

Pirlo
Some have inaccurately criticised the bearded wonder for his performance, for I found him in the very least, valuable. Time and again it was his work which put Madrid on the backfoot. And for a man of 35 years of age his positioning and running allowed him to always find space to receive the ball, play it simple or delicate and keep the move flowing. His job was to draw in Kroos and Ramos, look for the runners, play his side out of danger, and on all these scores, he performed majestically. Of course there was the usual turnover in a dangerous position, which thankfully came to nothing, yet some fans need to understand that a player like Pirlo, who can pass so perfectly and beautifully that a long ball can be as valuable as a penalty, plays the percentages. And by doing so, he takes risks. Now and then, those risks do not come off. 7

Marchisio
This season has seen Il Principino finally live up to his affectionately adorned by the fans moniker. I had wanted him to replace Pirlo as the regista, but in his role as defensive midfielder, as has always been the case this term, he was outstanding. Second only to Pirlo as the most intelligent footballer on the field, Claudio was everywhere he was needed. Forgot his shooting boots but his all round play was perfect. Went about his work like a quality Optio. 9

Sturaro made a potentially match winning block

Sturaro
A surprise inclusion given his 4 minutes of champions league experience. Hustled and bustled and showed supreme determination. His block for the Rodriguez header may well prove what puts us through, failing which, it remains a marvellous piece of defending. The youngster has been compared to Gattuso, and I can see why, for he battles like a berserker, yet has far more talent on the ball than the Milanese Snarl ever produced. How many 22 year olds make their first champions league start in a semi-final against Real Madrid? The future looks very bright for Stefano. 7

Vidal
After a season spent attempting to find his form physically, and more recently mentally, Arturo the Warrior chose the Right game to return to close to his very best. Tasked with adding an extra body to every attack, and bombing back to cover when we lost the ball, the Chilean was vibrant and reliable. He could well have made more of an early chance when found in the box, and with a shot from just outside the box, other than which…superb. 8

Morata
Up against his old side, our young spaniard was delectable. His goal was a poacher’s finish. His mazy running coupled with searing pace caused constant problems for the Real defence. Confident on the ball, and arguably more of a threat than any other in black and white. 9

Tevez
Made the first goal with an intelligent run and quality shot which was parried into the path of his strike partner Alvaro. Won the penalty with a powerful surge from his own half, and put it away with aplomb for the victory. His movement is world class. Impossible to man mark due to his eagerness to drop deep to support and get on the ball. Incredibly strong when dribbling towards goal. Moments before the game began, the camera shifted through the players, and Carlitos had a grimace worthy of an assassin ready to kill. He could have done better with a couple of chances from range, yet his overall impact was the difference between the sides up top. Magnificent. 9

Conclusion

We deserved to win against a team who is rightfully considered one of a very small handful of the world’s top sides. A testament to that is the fact that we conceded only two wonderful chances; one of which ended up in the net, the other on the bar. Yet a vindication of our quality and the tactical nous of Allegri was found in those same statistics. We were not outplayed. We restricted a team of galacticos to two great chances. We deserved to win.

Other than the period just before and after Ronaldo’s goal, we appeared in control of the game. Made the better chances, and on a luckier day we would have won more handsomely. Vidal should have done better when found in the box. Llorente also could have made far better use of the chances which came his way. And our shooting from outside the box was less than our usual standard.

Perhaps we will rue those missed half chances. Yet I am so wonderfully proud to feel like I am part of a club which has returned to where it always ought to be; amongst the elite clubs on the world stage.

Like millions of others, I was nervous before the game. Wondering, quietly, if we would face a hiding, yet telling myself that at worst we would lose by a slim scoreline. When Ronaldo equalized I worried, frowned, began cursing the opponents in stern whispers as it was 5am here in Melbourne and my housemates were sleeping. Such tension ensued when Tevez approached the spot-kick. I remained still, like a mountain, assuming in my mind that any slight movement could jeopardise the trajectory!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awqbNBDkQKw

We have already surpassed expectations for the season. Any success which comes from here on in will be a gorgeous bonus. And with Pogba possibly to be involved in the return leg, we am heading to the Bernabeu with confidence. For we can certainly take great encouragement from this game. Seem at our best in Europe when needing to play counter-attacking football. Presented a masterclass in defence when probably the second finest attacking phalanx on the world stage were desperate to find a way to goal and we stood firm and resolute.

I am often wholly against resting players en-masse, for I prefer to maintain sharpness and momentum and believe that winning breeds winning. However, this is different. We have not come this far since 2003. The scudetto is won and against Cagliari this weekend, why not rest every player set to start in Madrid next week to avoid injury and maintain fitness. Bring on the strikers for the final 20, if at all.

Our opponents on the other hand have a tough match against Valencia, which they must win to maintain hopes of catching Barcelona and claiming the domestic title.

As long as we don’t find ourselves pummelled in Madrid, win or lose, I am so mightily proud to be a Juventino presently. My heart is dancing with a rare and special joy. Long may it continue, let us further our belief in the treble, and see where that belief takes us.

Regardless of results to come, we have surely regained our position as one of the top sides in the world. It has been a struggle, but hard work and hugely commendable grit and quality at all levels of the club hierarchy has combined to confirm our team as one of the planet’s very best.

Forza Juve