A quickfire double from Argentine pair Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala cancelled out Heung-min Son’s first half opener as Juventus secured a 2-1 win over Tottenham on the night to progress to the next round of the Champions League 4-3 on aggregate.
Pochettino justified in Son selection
Mauricio Pochettino was handed a selection headache coming into the second leg. An out of sorts Heung-min Son was relegated to the bench for the first leg 2-2 draw with Erik Lamela excelling as he pressed Juventus high up the pitch in what was a hugely efficient performance from the Argentine. However, Son came into the welcome of Juventus on a run of four goals and one assist from his last two starts, with Pochettino pondering whether to concern himself with pressing the Italian side’s defence or to start an in-form attacker.
In the end, he went for the latter and the decision paid off. Max Allegri elected to start Andrea Barzagli at right-back, allowing the rapid Son the opportunity to run at the experienced defender and he had the beating of the Italian time and time again. His two first half shots, the first forcing Gianluigi Buffon into action, the second he dragged just wide, should’ve served as a warning for Juventus, but it was one they did not heed with the South Korean sensation netting Spurs’ opening goal. He came close to adding a second in the dying embers of the game and while the hosts crashed out, Pochettino can take some solace in making the right call to start Son.
Dybala shows up for the big occasion
Having sat out the first leg through injury, Paulo Dybala returned to the starting XI for the second leg and proved to be the difference maker for Juventus. Fresh from netting a late winner in a 1-0 win at Lazio on Saturday evening, Dybala unsurprisingly started this must-win match for the Old Lady, but initially struggled. Tottenham worked wonders to nullify the 24-year-old, yet he wasn’t to be denied after the restart.
Dybala had fired a half volley agonisingly wide as Juventus looked to turn the screw in the second half before turning the tie on its head as the Old Lady bagged a quick fire double. Gonzalo Higuain had drawn Juventus level, before compatriot Dybala remained composed to send the Italian giants into the next round of the Champions League having been put through one-on-one with Hugo Lloris by Higuain. He’s routinely considered one of the best young attackers in Europe and on Wednesday night, Dybala proved why.
Juventus' lopsided back four
Max Allegri’s decision to start with a back four with Andrea Barzagli at right-back was an odd one when the teams were announced. The aim was understandable - sit deep to allow Douglas Costa free reign down the right and shift left to form a back three as and when required. With Alex Sandro the infinitely attacking of the two Juventus full-back, the away side’s back four looked incredibly lopsided and it was no surprise Spurs took advantage in the opening 45 minutes.
Indeed, it was no shock to see Juventus switch to a back three at the beginning of the second half before Allegri made the required tactical change that won his side the tie when all hope seemed lost. Stephan Lichtsteiner replaced Medhi Benatia on the hour mark, which saw Juventus revert to a four-man defence with Barzagli moved infield alongside Giorgio Chellini. The impact was immediate as Lichtsteiner broke forward and provided the cross that led to Higuain’s goal to kickstart the turnaround. A lopsided back four was remedied at the third time of asking and it ultimately gifted Juventus a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Old fashioned Italian defending a key trait in Juventus win
Nobody loves defending quite like Giorgio Chiellini, who, once Juventus went ahead, proved just why he is considered one of the best centre-backs in Europe, primarily for his last ditch blocks that kept Tottenham from netting a crucial second as he blocked three shots on the night. In the build up for Heung-min Son’s opener, Andrea Barzagli made an excellent last ditch tackle, albeit in vain as the Spurs man netted regardless.
One of the most difficult teams to break down when they are against the ropes is Juventus as they again maximised their experience to scrape through by the skin of their teeth, even allowing for a second half header to hit the post and bounce along the line, only to be hooked clear by Barzagli. Spurs huffed and puffed, but couldn’t blow Juventus down once Paulo Dybala put Juventus ahead as they remained compact and disciplined to secure an unlikely 2-1 win at Wembley and secure a spot in the next round of the Champions League at Spurs’ expense. It was a lesson to never write off the old guard in the Europe’s elite club competition.
