Champions League: Juventus comeback from 2-0 down to rescue draw against Bayern Munich
Juventus fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a draw at Turin after it looked like the tie was all over. A goal from Thomas Muller put the away sde in front just before half time after a simple finish from Costa’s cut back. Bayern then went 2-0 up in the 55th minute with a Robben classic after he cut inside to curl past Buffon.
But Juve fought back scoring first through Dybala after a mistake at the back put him through on goal. And then two substitutes Morata and Storaro combined brilliantly to level the scores
Squads:
Juventus : Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra, Cuadrado, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Mandzukic, Dybala.
Bayern Munich : Neuer, Lahm, Kimmich, Alaba, Bernat, Vidal, Thiago, Muller; Robben, Costa, Lewandowski.
First Half: Muller scores just before half time
Juventus before this game had kept nine consecutive clean sheets and the manager said a 0-0 draw would be a good result. Bayern had several injury problems and played a makeshift back four with Kimmich and Alaba as the centre backs.
In the very first minute Juventus had a wonderful chance to take the lead as a clearance from the back led to Mandzukic receiving the ball with time and space to have a shot but it was a disappointing effort.
Vidal was the next to have a shot on target but Buffon was equal to the snapshot volley. Bayern continued to dominate possession in the Juve half and after some good work by Lewandowski he pulled the ball back for Muller after getting into the box, but it was slightly behind the German and it resulted only in a corner.
Bayern had all of the ball as Juve struggled to impose themselves on the game and when they did get the ball they couldn’t put two passes together. Their defensive tactics finally backfired as Bayern broke the deadlock just before half time.
Robben found space on the right and crossed it for Costa who then pulled it back brilliantly with his first touch to Muller. The German had plenty of time and space in the box and scored to make it 1-0, a big blow to the home side.
Second Half: Juve fight back after Bayern take 2-0 lead
After trailing in the first half, Juve pressed high from the start of the second half in search of an equalizer. With the Champions League away goal rule already handing them a handicap they had little choice.
Bayern still kept the majority of the possession but Juve saw more of the ball than they did in the first. But as Juve pressed for a goal in the 55th minute they lost possession and Bayern went on the counter.
A long ball found Lewandowski who gave it to Robben on the fight He in turn in classic Robben style cut inside sliding Juve defenders and curled it past Buffon. That looked like game over.
But the home side still had fight in them. Just seven minutes later the young centre back Kimmich lost possession on the edge of the area to Mandzukic who in turn put Dybala one on one with Neuer. The young striker just passed the ball into the back of the net and it was game on again.
That goal spurred the Turin side into attack mode. Their positive play paid dividends once again in the 75th minute. Two substitutes Morata and Storaro combined beautifully with the former setting up the latter with a headed cross and Storaro got in front of his marker to level the scores
Juventus now have to go to Munich for the second leg where they will have to outscore Bayern to progress. But if they replicate today’s second half performance they are definitely in with a chance.