Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo already stop there: as against Lyon last year, Andrea Pirlo’s Bianconeri fell again in the knockout stages of the Champions League against a heroic FC Porto, with a victory (3 -2 ap) insufficient after the Portuguese victory in the first leg (2-1).
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo and his 134 goals in C1. Despite Andrea Pirlo and the hoped-for revolution in the game. Despite the experience of Bonucci, Morata … And despite a Porto reduced to ten at the start of the second period after the severe exclusion of Mehdi Taremi (54 ‘), Juventus has again been unable to justify his status as a favorite on the pitch. Like two years ago in the quarterfinals against Ajax Amsterdam. And like last season against Lyon in the eighth.
Faced with a Porto in a state of grace, a worthy successor to that of Mourinho crowned in 2004 in C1, CR7 did not put on his savior clothes and was especially illustrated by his gestures of annoyance and some bad choices. And Juventus Turin to fall with him.
Sum up this Porto display in one word…#UCL pic.twitter.com/FZgtHVyhLH
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 9, 2021
Juve? A team initially stunned in the first half by the severe penalty awarded to Porto. Entangled in the Portuguese net woven by Pepe then, after having nevertheless returned thanks to two goals from Chiesa.
Until the final knockout, coming from a distant free kick from Oliveira (115 ‘), synonymous with qualification for the ten Portuguese despite the third Turin goal signed Rabiot a few minutes later (117’).
Pirlo sur le gril
The elimination against OL last summer was fatal to coach Maurizio Sarri, who was dismissed despite the title of Italian champion.
We can not imagine such fate for Andrea Pirlo after only six months on the bench. But this setback seriously undermines the credibility of this novice coach who has won almost everything as a player. Coming to revolutionize the Turin game, he knows that this ongoing work cannot be done to the detriment of results in a club like Juve.
The Italian Supercup (won in January) and the Italian Cup (final in May against Atalanta) will not be enough to forget this surprise elimination and a mixed championship run for the nine-time defending champion (3rd) .
The disappointment of Cristiano Ronaldo at the final whistle. The Portuguese loves the Champions League but has to stop there. © Reuters
But perhaps most worrying is what Juve showed on the pitch, both in the first leg and in the return against Porto. The promised composure, technique and combativeness were the prerogative of the Dragons. Defending almost in two lines of five but coming out quickly and well as soon as they could, the Portuguese of Sergio Conceiçao had an undoubtedly simple but clear plan.
Entangled juve
Pirlo’s was less so. Juve getting entangled in the Portuguese canvas, very tight in front of the impeccable goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin, especially at the beginning of the game on a head of Morata who could have changed the scenario.
Taremi first touched the crossbar (7 ‘) before obtaining a penalty which will again make talk of refereeing in Italy, where several decisions were contested in the round of 16 first leg. The VAR confirmed a fault by Demiral, who started alongside Bonucci, and Sergio Oliveira did not hesitate to open the scoring (19 ‘).
READ ALSO. Statistics, highlights… Relive the qualification of Porto on the lawn of Juventus Turin
The goals of Chiesa, on a service from Ronaldo at the limit of the offside (49 ‘) then on a cross from Juan Cuadrado (63’), seemed to have changed the situation.
At ten, Porto backed up without breaking. Morata scored in an offside position (90 ‘), Cuadrado found the bar (90’ + 2).
But during a choppy extra time, it was the Portuguese who found the resources to go for qualification: Moussa Marega (99 ‘) gave a first scare before Oliveira’s decisive free kick.
READ ALSO. Did Cristiano Ronaldo make the right choice when he joined Juventus Turin?
For two years, Juve has therefore only played eight matches per season in the Champions League, which may explain the support shown by its president Andrea Agnelli for the new C1 format under discussion for 2024, which would guarantee participants in minus ten matches …
JUVENTUS – PORTO: 3-2 (ap)
Arbitre : B. Kuipers (P.-B.).
BUTS. Juventus: Chiesa (49 ‘, 63’), Rabiot (117 ‘). Porto: Oliveira (19’s.p., 115 ‘).
WARNINGS. Juventus: Chiesa (90 ‘+ 3), Cuadrado (92’), Bernardeschi (103 ‘), Rabiot (113’). Porto: Otávio (45 ‘+ 2), Taremi (52’), Oliveira (97 ‘), Mbemba (120’ + 2).
EXCLUSION. Porto: Taremi (54 ‘).
JUVENTUS : Szczesny – Cuadrado, Bonucci (cap) (De Ligt, 75 ‘), Demiral, Alex Sandro – Chiesa (Bernardeschi, 102’), Arthur (Kulusevski, 102 ‘), Rabiot, Ramsey (McKennie, 75’) – Morata, Ronaldo . Coach: Andrea Pirlo.
PORTO : Marchesin – Manafa, Mbemba, Pepe (cap), Sanusi (Díaz, 71 ‘) – Je. Corona (Leite, 118 ‘), Oliveira (Ndiaye, 118’), Uribe (Grujic, 90 ‘), Otávio (Sarr, 62’) – Marega (Martinez, 106 ‘), Taremi. Coach: Sergio Conceiçao.
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