Juventus 3-0 Atlético: Champions League at a glance
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Article summary
Cristiano Ronaldo plundered his eighth UEFA Champions League hat-trick as Juventus turned around the tie.
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The home side, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, were effervescent from the off and took the lead in the 27th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo towered above Juanfran to head Federico Bernardeschi's cross past Jan Oblak. The Portuguese repeated the trick three minutes after the interval – this time from a João Cancelo delivery – for his 24th goal against Atlético in 32 games.
Substitute Moise Kean could have sealed the aggregate turnaround when put through, only to drag his effort wide. However, Massimiliano Allegri's men were not to be denied, Ronaldo completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Ángel Correa clipped the marauding Bernardeschi.
View from the stadium: Paolo Menicucci
A few people said they thought Juventus could come back but how many really believed it? Allegri was certainly one, despite being fully aware that scoring three goals against Atlético is a difficult task to say the least.
The Bianconeri boss prepared the perfect game plan, with Juve constantly attacking their opponents on the flanks – where Diego Simeone's team are more vulnerable – through full-backs Cancelo and competition debutant Leonardo Spinazzola. Ronaldo did the rest – though that is no surprise.
Man of the match: Cristiano Ronaldo
When Juventus signed Ronaldo last summer, they probably had this kind of game in mind. The No7 had scored only one goal in the competition this term but when Juve needed him most, he did not disappoint.
Two terrific headers allowed the Bianconeri to level the aggregate score before the late penalty rounded off his treble and a great Juventus comeback. Ronaldo's quest to conquer the UEFA Champions League for a fourth consecutive season – and sixth in total – is still alive.
Key stats
- Ronaldo scores his eighth #UCL hat-trick – equalling Lionel Messi's record.
- Four of Ronaldo's eight #UCL hat-tricks have come in the knockout rounds.
- Ronaldo has 63 goals in the knockout stage – 23 more than any other player.
- Juventus have lost just two of their last 28 Champions League home matches.
- Giorgio Chiellini becomes fifth player to make 500 Juventus appearances.
- Atlético have failed to score in six of their last eight #UCL away games.
What does it mean?
This is the first time Juventus have overturned a first-leg defeat to go through since the 2005/06 round of 16 against Bremen (2-3 away, 2-1 home); they had also been eliminated in all five previous European ties in which they lost the first leg 2-0 away from home. They now take their place in Friday's quarter-final draw (12:00CET).
For Atlético, this reversal ends a run of 19 consecutive UEFA competition ties in which they have progressed after winning the first leg at home.
What's next?
Juventus continue to battle for silverware on two fronts and could clinch the Italian title – they are already 18 points clear – before the quarter-finals. The unbeaten leaders visit Genoa and Cagliari, and host Empoli and Milan before returning to the European arena for the last-eight first leg (09/04 or 10/04).
Atlético, second in Spain and seven points behind Barcelona, have three crucial Liga fixtures against Athletic, Alavés and Girona before heading to the leaders on 6 April.