28 September 2017
On the eve of the match, Massimiliano Allegri proclaimed "our Champions League campaign kicks off here" and Juventus duly delivered the goods on Wednesday night thanks to goals in the second half from Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Mandzukic.
The upcoming data provided by Opta shows how the Bianconeri managed to achieve that all-important win against Olympiacos that gets them up and running in Group D:
- POSSESSION RECORD
The Bianconeri were always in control of the match, and they managed to finish the game with 75% ball possession, which is the highest that they have recorded this season.
It wasn't just at the end of the game that they dominated the ball, as at the end of the first half they had 78.5% possession. Their highest before this match was against Torino in Saturday's derby, were they ended the match with 66.1%.
- NINE MINUTES OF PIPITA
Precisely eight minutes and 17 seconds. That's how long it took Gonzalo Higuain, from his introduction onto the field to putting the ball into the back of the net.
It shows the unbelievable desire from Higuain to have an immediate impact on the match, and it isn't the first time that Higuain has scored goals at such a rapid rate.
Against Fiorentina, on his Bianconeri debut last season in August 2016. Pipita entered the pitch in the 70th minute, and by minute 79, he had scored his first Juventus goal. Meanwhile, against Sassuolo at the Allianz Stadium last year he scored two goals in nine minutes and away to the Neroverdi he struck again within nine minutes.
- SUPER MARIO
Quality and quantity, as always. Mario Mandzukic has scored in the last three games he has played in the Champions League.
His goal against Olympiacos came after he had four shots on target, forced three saves from the keeper, made 19 passes and touched the ball 36 times. He is a constant presence all over the field, as the heatmap confirms.
- ALLIANZ STADIUM EFFECT
Wednesday's results saw the Bianconeri record their 20th consecutive Champions League game undefeated at the Allianz Stadium. This was also Juve's fifth straight UCL home win and their fifth win in a row at home in all competitions this season.
La Vecchia Signora also carried on their succession of scoring at least two goals in each of their last five Champions League matches at home. Furthermore, they've now only conceded once goal in their last five home games in Europe's premier club competition.
- EYE FOR A SHOT
Two goals scored, but many shots on goal.
Yesterday the Bianconeri had 21 attempts, the most they have had in a Champions League game since October 2015 against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Olympiacos goalkeeper, Silvio Proto had to deal with 16 of those shots and was forced into a save on five of them, mostly in the first half.
Paulo Dybala didn't net yesterday, in his exceptional recent spell, despite contributing to 12 of the 21 efforts on goal: seven of La Joya's attempts went wide of the target, while the other five forced the keeper into action.
