09 March 2021
Juventus managed to record a 3-2 home win at the Allianz Stadium, but it wasn’t enough to see them through as 10-man Porto progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League due to the away goal rule as the overall fixture ended 4-4 on aggregate.
SERGIO OLIVIERA CONVERTS FROM THE SPOT
The Bianconeri knew they needed to pull out the stops in order to turn their first leg deficit around, and they nearly took the lead in the third minute when Morata’s powerful header off Cuadrado’s cross was met by Marchesin in goal. Porto came equally close minutes later when Taremi turned his header onto the bar. The visitors did find themselves take the lead with 18 minutes on the clock after they were awarded a penalty following Demiral’s foul on Taremi, in which Sergio Oliviera converted from the spot. End-to-end action then followed on either side of the field, in which Morata saw his dangerous shot denied by Marchesin from point blank range, while Szczesny was called in to make a save on a powerful Sergio Oliviera angled drive.
CHIESA PULLS ONE BACK
The second half started with Juventus knowing they needed to find a way back in the game and they made it 1-1 in the 50th minute. Bonucci sent a long ball to Ronaldo inside the box, he knocked it back to Chiesa, who curled it into the top far corner! That goal sparked new life into the hosts, and they drew a save on Marchesin from Ramsey’s corner. The dynamic of the game shifted in the 54th minute when Porto were reduced to 10 men after Mehdi picked up two bookings in the space of three minutes.
CHIESA MAKES THE COMEBACK
Juve went on the attack again, and they were denied by the upright: Chiesa had done all the hard work and just needed to slot it in, but Pepe’s charging run put him off and his effort rattled the foot of the post before being pushed out by the Porto defender. The attacker did eventually get his second goal to put the aggregate at 3-3 when he rose brilliantly to nod home Cuadrado’s incredible cross. Ronaldo saw his headed go wide of goal, while Szczesny beat away Sarr’s ferocious strike from distance. As extra time started approaching, both teams went in search of a late goal to decide the tie: Marega found himself some space in the box after brushing off his markers to turn his effort just wide of goal, while Cuadrado’s striking effort smashed against the crossbar as the game went into extra time.
PORTO WIN IT IN EXTRA TIME
Into extra time and Porto threatened on a short corner in which Corona dribbled past his marker, he then crossed the ball to Marega, whose header was saved by Szczesny. Kulusevski, who was brought on in extra time, made a great run inside the box but saw his shot charged down by Mbemba. Porto then went on the charge through Luis Diaz, but his teammates couldn’t unleash anything threatening. Morata then had his shot from outside the box saved by Marchesin. Two goals on each end of the field quickly followed: Porto made it 2-2 (4-3 on aggregate) through Sergio Oliviera who’s low free-kick sailed under the wall and into the net, despite Szczesny getting a touch. Rabiot, who gave away the free-kick that led to the goal, then put Juve back in front (4-4 on aggregate) after he nodded home a corner kick to give the Bianconeri a glimpse of hope. Despite Juve’s late efforts, they couldn’t find the fifth and final goal to ensure qualification into the next round.
Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Demiral, Bonucci (de Ligt 75’), Alex Sandro; Ramsey (Mckennie 75’), Arthur (Bernardeschi 101’), Rabiot, Chiesa (Kulusevski 101’); Morata, Ronaldo
Juventus bench: Pinsoglio, Buffon, Chiellini, De Ligt, McKennie, Bernardeschi, Di Pardo, Dragusin, Frabotta, Fagioli,, Kulusevski
Porto: Marchesin; Manafá, Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu; Corona, Uribe, Sergio Oliveira, Otavio; Marega, Taremi
Porto bench: Diogo Costa, Diogo Leite, Loum, Luis Diaz, Grujic, Felipe Anderson, Toni Martinez, Evanilson, Nanu, Sarr, Fabio Vieira, Francisco Conceicao
