Barcelona have emerged to be the better side against Juventus on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League. The Catalans made the trip to Turin and were two goals to the good against a Juventus side which was missing the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ousmane Dembele’s shot took a wicked deflection in the 14th minute of the match and earned Ronald Koeman’s side a healthy lead in the tie. The visiting side were completely dominant in the game and enjoyed 60% possession throughout the night.
Alvaro Morata scored a hattrick of offside goals in the tie. The Spaniard was relentless in pursuit of a goal and perhaps deserved one in the first half.
Juventus were unable to even test Neto who was being guarded by a make-shift Barcelona defence. Andrea Pirlo’s men had ten attempts on goal but not one managed to be on target. Barcelona were missing Gerard Pique and fielded a rather rusty centre back, Araujo.
Lionel Messi doubled Barcelona’s lead in the second half after a well-converted spot-kick in added time. Juventus played the dying moments of the game with 10 men after Demiral managed to pick up a second yellow card. Here’s how the Cules rated from their commanding 2-0 victory at the Allianz Stadium –
GK : Neto – 8/10
The goalie remained largely untested on the night. Whenever called into action, he seemed quick to respond.
RB : Sergi Roberto – 7/10
A rather surprise inclusion in the starting eleven ahead of Dest who performed well in the Clasico. However, Roberto did a decent job down the right-hand side and also picked up a yellow card for his troubles.
CB : Araujo – 7/10
Deputising for Gerard Pique, the 21-year-old defender did a decent job before finding himself injured in the second half.
CB : Clement Lenglet – 8/10
The Frenchman put in a hard shift and seemed to get his decisions right while defending. He acted like the leader of the back-line in the absence of Pique.
LB : Jordi Alba – 7/10
The left-back was a constant threat down the left-hand side and also kept things in check defensively.
CM : Pjanic – 7/10
Pjanic was brought in to replace an aging Sergio Busquets and seemed to be sleeping in the first half against his former side. The midfielder played a few risky passes deep inside his own half and nearly gifted a goal to Juventus. However, he improved drastically in the second half and put in a good performance.
CM : Frenkie de Jong – 8/10
The Dutchman had a sensational night in Italy like his other teammates. He was pivotal and focal point in the midfield. Later on in this fixture, he also covered for Araujo at the centre back spot.
LW : Ousmane Dembele – 9/10
A stunning night for Dembele who even found himself on the scoresheet in the 14th minute of the fixture. The Frenchman had a night to cherish after a very long time following an injury struck spell at Barcelona.
ST : Lionel Messi – 9/10
The Argentine was instrumental in the first goal and later converted from the spot-kick. The captain led by example.
RW : Pedri – 8/10
The 17-year-old had a stellar evening and mesmerised one and all with his passes, touches and skills. After looking a bit uncomfortable on the right side against Real Madrid, the teenager played on the left and the difference was evident.
ST : Antoine Griezmann – 7/10
The striker struck the woodwork early on and missed a chance in the second half. A lot more was expected out of Griezmann on the occasion.
Substitutes
CM : Sergio Busquets – 7/10
Busquets came on to replace the injured centre back Araujo and swapped positions with Frenkie in midfield.
ST : Ansu Fati – 7/10
Introduced extremely late into the fixture and he yet managed to win a penalty.
DF : Firpo – NA
Replaced Griezmann in the 89th minute.
ST : Martin Braithwaite – NA
Introduced in stoppage time and had no impact on the game whatsoever.
