Dani Parejo cancels out Dusan Vlahovic goal as Villrreal secure Juventus draw in Champions League

A goal so sensational as to be faintly ludicrous – scored by Dusan Vlahovic, 33 seconds into his Champions League debut – put Juventus ahead at El Madrigal. But Villarreal fought back and Dani Parejo’s 66th-minute equaliser left the tie in the balance. Villarreal actually responded fairly well to the shock of it all, creating an excellent chance that Giovani Lo Celso missed.

But Juve always looked as likely to score as to concede, solid enough at the back for their superior attackers to find something more. Ad/> But midway through the second half, Juventus’ play became sloppy, and that was all Villarreal needed to pick a hole in their defence, Parejo sweeping home a finish very similar to one missed by Alvaro Morata not long before. Serie AAllegri admits Vlahovic ‘struggle’ against Torino as Juventus’ injuries mount19/02/2022 AT 08:09 Neither side came especially close to a winner in a scrappy match of low quality, and though home advantage Juventus will make favourites to progress, there isn’t much between these sides so Villarreal are right in the tie.

TALKING POINT It is true that Max Allegri inherited a side in transition, as it is that he had good players injured. But that is no excuse for his side to play with so little aggression, and should Villarreal progress, Juventus will only have themselves to blame — a serious peformance tonight, and the tie would already be over. This is not a philisophical point — there is no right way to play football.

But the best players in Juventus' XI are attackers, so invitiing pressure instead of creating chances made no practical sense. Perhaps Allegri is building, so relying on what he knows best. But that is not what this team does best.