How bitter for Juventus. The Bianconeri press, dribble and shoot. They do everything to decide the game as early as possible. They dictate the game for 75 minutes. They just don’t get a hit. They fail several times because of Villarreal goalie Geronimo Rulli. And then they get an ice-cold shower. Coquelin is slightly touched by Rugani in the penalty area. But the touch is enough for a penalty. Gerard Moreno sinks it, although Szczesny is still on the ball.
A few minutes later, defender Pau Torres followed suit. And in the 92nd minute, Villarreal scored once more with a penalty for the third time. The sensation is perfect. The Allianz Stadium in Turin has gone silent. Suddenly the voice of Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri can be heard. After a long time the Juventus fans loudly whipped their players forward.
For the third time in a row, Juventus fails in the role of favorites in a Champions League round of 16. In 2020, the Italian record champions lost to Lyon. In 2021 Porto was the end of the line and so this year Villarreal. Now the otherwise so spoiled club only plays for the Coppa Italia and the Scudetto. In the domestic Serie A you are seven points behind leader Milan in 4th place.
For the Spaniards and especially for coach Unai Emery, the victory in Turin is a respectable success. The 50-year-old is considered Mister Europa League as he has won the trophy four times in his career. And now he surprises in the Champions League. In the 2008/09 season Villarreal was last in a quarter-finals of the premier class.
Tore: 78. Gerard (Penalty) 0: 1. 85. Pau Torres 0: 2. 90. + 2 Danjuma (Penalty) 0: 3.