VILA-REAL. Precious draw from Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, played at Villarreal. At the ‘de la Ceramica’ stadium it ends 1-1: Vlahovic’s lightning goal on the day of his debut in the top European competition is not enough, the yellow submarines have put the challenge back in balance in the second half with Parejo. Everything will be decided in the return match at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, scheduled for March 16.
Thirty-three seconds on the clock and the bianconeri are already ahead with Vlahovic’s seal on his debut in the Champions League: the Serbian controls a throw from Danilo from the chest and right crosses to the corner, immediately killing Rulli. The Spaniards are not there and on 14 ‘they are one step away from a draw with Lo Celso, who receives from Pedraza and while not kicking very well he splinters the post to the right of Szczesny. The Juventus goalkeeper also saved himself a little later, blocking in some way an attempt at a heel by Danjuma which was dangerously deflected by Danilo. Only at 38 ‘did the guests see themselves forward, frightening the yellow rearguard with an attempt in full area by Mckennie, providentially rejected by Albiol.
In the second half, Villarreal’s 1-1 draw with Dani Parejo, who has room to enter the area on a throw from Capoue and beat Szczesny with a left-hander on the fly. Juve can no longer find the spaces to make themselves dangerous as in the first half and the only real chance has it in the 85th minute, when Vlahovic turns and kicks from the left edge, but Rulli is careful and saves in two times.