2-1 defeat in Turin – It could have been more! Reus strike offers hope

Boris Rupert reports from Turin

Borussia were much the better team for long stretches, taking the game to the home side and equalising the home side’s against-the-run-of-play goal through Reus on 18 minutes. Both Juve goals resulted from defensive errors and whilst Juventus had a few chances towards the end, the goals from Tevez (13') and Morata on 43 minutes proved decisive.

The Scenario:

Juventus had qualified behind Atletico Madrid from the group stages this being just their second appearance at this stage since 2006. They came into the game hoping to make the most of a home fortress which had seen the Italian Champions and current league leaders unbeaten at home in the last ten European games, unbeaten in 46 across all competitions. Borussia Dortmund had won through as group winners for the third season in a row, had won five of their last eight away games in the Champions League and had lost only one of three visits to Turin, the first in 1993.

Personnel Matters:

Only the injured Grosskreutz and ineligible Jojic had not travelled with the squad to Italy. Indeed Kehl, until recently injured, made it into the squad while Kampl and Subotic were struck down by a virus shortly before the game. Their places were taken by Hummels and Mkhitaryan and in a third change from the 3-2 win in Stuttgart Kagawa made way for Immobile.

Tactics:

Borussia Dortmund included five attacking players against the utterly dominant leaders of Serie A. Jürgen Klopp arranged these forces in a 4-1-4-1 formation with only Sahin in the holding role. Aubameyang and Reus were tasked with attacking from wide whilst Mkhitaryan and Gündogan filled in the middle behind sole striker Immobile. The home side lined up in a 4-3-1-2 system with both full-backs pushing on hoping to achieve numerical advantage in midfield.

The Game and Analysis:

The opening phase of the game was dominated by BVB as they enjoyed 58% of possession. Within a minute Immobile had flashed a fierce shot just over the bar from 25 yards out as Dortmund set about unsettling the home side in a way they rarely experienced. Italy’s most successful club were reduced to hitting long balls as BVB went to work with passion, commitment and no little skill.

However, Juventus took the lead with their very first shot as they counter-attacked down the left in a move which saw Morata slip outside Sokratis and slide a ball across Weidenfeller who could only manage to tamely parry the ball into the path of the onrushing Tevez, 1-0 on 13 minutes.

It was a scrappy goal but had nothing on what befell Juventus just five minutes later when Chiellini slipped over and could only look on as Reus pounced on the loose ball and calmly advanced on Buffon, gave him the eyes and slotted home. It was his third goal in his third Champions League game of the season and the most vital.

Piszczek limps off after thirty minutes

The Black n Yellows received a blow on the half-hour when Piszczek had to limp off after a poor challenge by Pogba. Despite long treatment it was decided that he could not continue and Ginter came on with Sokratis moving across to right back. Juve too, had to shuffle their pack when Pirlo was forced to withdraw shortly before the break.

Borussia continued to control the game and the home crowd began to murmur its displeasure. Vidal clattered into Immobile as the Italian frustration grew so it was all the more galling when Juventus took the lead again with their second attempt on goal. Tevez won possession in midfield and released Pogba down the left who fired the ball across the goal to an un-marked Morata who duly converted to make it 2-1 completely against the run of play.

Sokratis was forced to remain in the dressing room at half time with Kirch coming on to become the third right back of the evening. Dortmund strived to resume where they had left off and Juventus were often forced to dubious measure to stem the tide with first Vidal nailing Reus (yellow) and then Pogba planting an elbow in Kirch’s face.

The statistics continued to show BVB dominance as they enjoyed 55% possession and eight shots to Juve’s five. BVB were the team in charge but chances were few and far between. On 55 minutes Immobile spun to fire a shot into Buffon’s chest  and then fired another shot high over the bar.

It was Immobile’s last contribution with Kuba coming on and Aubameyang moving into the middle. But the final period of the game saw the Italians display all their best traits as they rocked the game to sleep even creating counter attacks leading to further chances for Tevez on 71 and 77 minutes. Their biggest chance, however, fell to Pereyra on 86 minutes but he pulled his effort wide.

So whilst they had played well, it could have been so much better and we still have the return leg to look forward to where a 1-0 win would be enough to progress.

Teams & Goals

UEFA Champions League, Last 16, First Leg
JUVENTUS TURIN – BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-1 (2-1)

Juventus Turin: Buffon - Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra - Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba - Vidal - Morata, Tevez
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Sokratis, Hummels, Schmelzer – Sahin – Aubameyang, Gündogan, Mkhitaryan, Reus – Immobile
Substitutions: 37. Pereyra for Pirlo, 87. Padoin for Vidal, 89. Coman for Tevez - 32. Ginter for Piszczek, 46. Kirch for Sokratis, 76. Blaszczykowski for Immobile
Goals: 1-0 Tevez (13., Morata), 1-1 Reus (18.), 2-1 Morata (43., Pogba)
Corners: 8-4 (HT 3-2), Chances: 5-2 (2-1)
Referee: Mateu Lahoz (Spain), Yellow cards: Vidal
Attendance: 41,182 (sold out), Weather: dry, 4 degrees

Prospects:

The return leg is on March 18 in an already sold-out Signal Iduna Park. On Saturday, BVB host the ultimate derby game when Schalke 04 come to town in the Bundesliga.