Very quickly in the lead but jostled by brave Villarreal players, Juventus could not do better than a draw at the Estadio de la Cerámica for the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (1-1).
A rather logical result given the physiognomy of the match.
What you must remember
Even before the end of the first minute, the Bianconeri had already taken the advantage in this match thanks to their new providential scorer, Dusan Vlahović, not disturbed by the fact of playing his first Champions League match (1-0, 1st ).
The advantage acquired, Juve and their very defensive system were in management, letting the yellow waves break on their defense, or on a vigilant Szczesny.
With a greater number of strikes, greater possession, and overall more highlights, Unai Emery's men ended up pushing to surprise his evening opponent: on the hour mark, Capoue found Parejo, left surprisingly alone behind De Ligt and Rabiot, with a stung ball that the Spaniard transformed by deceiving Szczesny (1-1, 66th).
In the aftermath, Adrien Rabiot miraculously escaped a red card, after a very nasty sole on Chukwueze's knee.
A first period rather in favor of Juve, a second rather in favor of Villarreal, and these are therefore two teams which logically leave each other back to back at the end of this first leg.
Player: Dusan Vlahovic
We did not have to wait very long to see the outstanding action of this match: 32nd second, Dusan Vlahović perfectly received a long neat ball from Danilo, controlled from the chest and followed from the right in front of a defeated yellow defense.
2 - Dušan Vlahović (22 years, 25 days) is the second youngest player to score on their Champions League debut for Juventus after Alessandro Del Piero (20 years 308 days).
Arrival.
pic.twitter.com/XieQ5Anqbc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 22, 2022
Recruited this winter at a golden price (70 million euros) at Fiorentina, the Serbian striker was playing his first match in the Champions League and he immediately made history.
He became the second youngest player in the history of Juve to score on his C1 debut, just behind an illustrious ahead of the illustrious: Alessandro Del Piero.
VILLARREAL-JUVENTUS 1-1 (1-0)
Referee
: Daniel Siebert (GER)
Goals
: Vlahovic (1st) for Juventus, Parejo (66th) for Villarreal
Villarreal (4-4-2)
: Rulli - Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza (Estupinan, 79th) - Chukwueze (Pino, 90th), Capua, Parejo, Moreno (Trigueros, 78th) - Lo Celso, Danjuma (Dia, 90th ).
Entr.
: Unai Emery.
Juventus (5-3-2)
: Szczesny - Cuadrado, Danilo, De Ligt, Sandro (Bonucci, 46th), De Sciglio (Pellegrini, 85th) - Mckennie (Zakaria, 81st), Locatelli (Arthur, 71st), Rabiot - Vlahović , Morata.
Entr.
: Massimiliano Allegri.