Villarreal vs Juventus: Player ratings and analysis as Dušan Vlahović breaks record with debut goal in draw

Villarreal 1-1 Juventus (Parejo 66’; Vlahovic 1’)

Juventus were punished for a passive second-half display as Villarreal ensured the last-16 tie is all square heading into next month’s return leg in Turin.

Dušan Vlahović had got Juve off to the perfect start. As Champions League debuts go, this was something special, with the 22-year-old Serbian scoring after just 32 seconds to hand the Italians an early advantage.

However, as Arsenal and Manchester United learned in last year’s Europa League, this Yellow Submarine is not so easily sunk, and in their first Champions League knockout match for 13 years it was Dani Parejo who helped Villarreal secure a deserved 1-1 draw.

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It had appeared Vlahović’s contribution would steal the headlines. The striker scored on his Serie A debut for Juve and repeated the trick in Europe, outlining exactly why they paid Fiorentina 80 million euros (£66.7m) last month for the reported Arsenal target.

Player ratings

Villarreal (4-4-2)

• Rulli – 6
• Foyth – 6
• Albiol – 6
• Torres – 7
• Pedraza – 6
• Chukwueze – 6
• Capoue – 7
• Parejo – 7
• Moreno – 6
• Lo Celso – 6
• Danjuma – 6

Subs

• Estupinan – 6
• Trigueros – 6
• Dia – 6
• Pino – 6

Juventus (3-5-2)

• Szczesny – 6
• Danilo – 7
• De Ligt – 6
• Alex Sandro – 6
• Cuadrado – 5
• McKennie – 6
• Locatelli – 6
• Rabiot – 5
• De Sciglio – 6
• Vlahović – 7
• Morata – 5

Subs

• Arthur – 6
• Bonucci – 6
• Pellegrini – 6
• Zakaria – 6

Villarreal took the kick-off but lost the ball after 25 seconds following a pointless Alberto Moreno dummy. Four touches and seven seconds later the ball was in the back of their net. Danilo set himself with his first, sent a long ball forward with his second, and then Vlahović chested it down before an exquisite shot on the turn evaded Gerónimo Rulli and saw him score the fastest goal for a Champions League debutant.

Wheeling away to celebrate before the first minute was even over was some way to, at least initially, soothe the Old Lady, who have not progressed beyond the quarters since 2017, while in the last two editions have exited in the round of 16 to Lyon and Porto.

Welcome to the Champions League, Dušan Vlahović ????????

The Serbian striker scores just THIRTY-ONE SECONDS into his #UCL debut ????????

What a start he's made to life at Juventus! pic.twitter.com/lSqlQYS2l4

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 22, 2022

Coupled with being knocked off their Italian perch, these are uncertain times for Juve, but Vlahović is supposed to be that major step towards rewriting recent wrongs. However, one player does not correct every issue, and the club fighting for fourth in Serie A now face a battle to reach the Champions League quarters.

Juve were all too content to sit on their lead and ended up gifting Villarreal a way back into the tie. Moreno went close, and though his effort was easily saved Wojciech Szczęsny, it was not long after that the hosts had their equaliser.

Étienne Capoue found midfield partner Dani Parejo wide open in the Juve box, and the Spaniard casually swiped the ball into the far corner with a first-time effort.

It was disappointing from Juve, and though taking a draw back home still makes them favourites, never rule Villarreal out.

from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/ABoOVwt