Villarreal, who won the Europa League in a dramatic final against Manchester United last year and is currently in an excellent sixth place in the Spanish league this year, was now struggling. The “yellow submarine”, as the team is called in Spain because of the colors of their jerseys, then gained a lot of possession – but it didn’t want to become dangerous in front of the experienced guests’ goal.
Juve survive Villarreal’s pressure phase
That changed in the 13th minute when Villarreal midfielder Giovani Lo Celso fired free in the 16th. From 13 meters, the Argentine fell but only hit the left outer post. A little later (16th), Juve’s keeper Wojciech Szczęsny had to grab when Arnaut Danjuma’s back-heel from nine yards was too imprecisely aimed at the Turin goal.
But that was it until the break with dangerous actions – Juve’s defense got the opposing offensive forces under control and the game splashed on.
Out of nowhere – parejo to 1:1
That hardly changed at first in the second section. The hosts tried to build up pressure with pressing football, but Juve’s defence, which was supplemented by the experienced Leonardo Bonucci after the break, let everything ricochet off.
Up to the 66th minute. Then Dani Parejo snuck away behind Juve’s Adrien Rabiot and was suddenly completely free in the 16 when Etienne Capoue wonderfully conjured up a cross from the left between the penalty spot and the five. Parejo only had to put his foot down and it was 1-1. It stayed that way in the game, which was sovereignly led by the German referee Daniel Siebert. Which promises a lot of excitement for the second leg in Turin.
Source: red