Juve eliminated from the Champions League: Villarreal wins 3-0

Like last year, and also two years ago: Juve did not pass the round of 16 in the Champions League, this time eliminated by the Spanish Villarreal who beat Allegri’s team 3-0 at the Allianz Stadium thanks to two penalties. by Gerard Moreno and Danjuma and interspersed with the goal of the canterano Pau Torres in the 85th minute. Juve, after having won their last six home games, surrenders to the Europa League specialist, that Emery who never went beyond the second round in the Champions League.

Occasions and waste

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All according to forecasts at Juve, with De Sciglio to make up for the absence of Alex Sandro and Rugani to that of De Ligt. In the middle Cuadrado and Rabiot are the wings, metronomes between defensive and offensive phases, with Morata and the returning Vlahovic forward and Dybala initially on the bench. Emery inserts Estupinian behind and Pino on the right, with the pair Lo Celso-Danjuma in attack and Gerard Moreno, fresh from a long injury, on the bench until the 74th minute. The contenders start out cautiously: they study each other, settle the lines of the pressing, arrange themselves practically in the mirror. The race is blocked and slow-paced. Except for a few tears by Juve, more enterprising and dangerous than the opponent, with Rulli protagonist of at least two decisive interventions: the first at 11 ‘on a close header by Morata, the other at 35’ on a touch under the net by Vlahovic , in precarious balance. The Serbian striker also hits the crossbar, on 21 ‘, on a cross from De Sciglio. On the Spanish front, Lo Celso touches the post with a left-footed shot, Juve risk very little and are very orderly in going from a 3 to 5 defense depending on whether they are offensive or defensive. With Cuadrado and De Sciglio more present in the parts of the area defended by Rulli than in the vicinity of Szczesny, and Rabiot and Locatelli higher than Arthur. In turn, Villarreal is very careful to hold positions and close every crack, defending with two narrow lines, practically nine men. It is difficult for Juve to find passable corridors, but when they can it also becomes dangerous. The capital sin is not being able to monetize the opportunities we have had.

Fatal triplet

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In the second half the tactics are the same, with the two teams waiting or “calm”, to put it to Allegri. After all, both know very well that the match can go beyond the classic 90 ‘. Both teams close well, the difference compared to the first fraction is that Juve is struggling to find the right pocket. At 59 ‘Rabiot tries it from the outside, with Rulli responding in two halves, and a moment later one of his shots ends on the side. Same fate for Cuadrado’s right from distance. It is still a Juve that initially tries, even without finding danger, while Villarreal remains flattened in their half of the field. The first to try to clear the cards is Emery, who sends Chukwueze and Coquelin on the field in the 64th minute, and Gerard Moreno ten minutes later. And at the same time he preaches “calm”, like his Juventus colleague. Until Gerard Moreno finds a corridor for Coquelin, who is touched by Rugani in the area. Var and penalty, from the spot the best scorer in the history of Villarreal makes no mistake, with Szczesny touching but not deflecting. And Juve went under at minute 79. Allegri immediately changed: Rugani and Dybala inside, then Bernardeschi and Kean will also enter. But after seven minutes the Spaniards find the double, with Pau Torres who signs the 2-0 on the development of a corner and Danjuma who even signs the trio on a penalty whistled for a foul by De Ligt’s hands. It’s minute 91 ‘, Juve say goodbye to the Champions League.