In a bold gamble, the Bianconeri coach drew a winning hand in shuffling his forward line ahead of their Round of 16 tie; a wager that was handily rewarded by his young Spanish striker.
“Don’t let yourselves down,” was the bold headline emblazoned across Tuesday’s edition of Tuttosport, as Juventus prepared to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League, in Turin.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was wary of this, as he cautiously claimed ahead of the match that not conceding was the most important thing ahead of the first leg.
However, the supporters packed into the Curva Sud of the Juventus Stadium may have disagreed with his sentiment by displaying a banner during the pre-match choreography reading, “Who does not dare loses, who dares wins.”
The former AC Milan tactician has also been well aware of such demands since succeeding Antonio Conte in the summer, and that European success offers him a chance to gain acceptance.
“We’ll try to enjoy an excellent Champions League campaign,” Allegri said in his pre-match press conference.
“Juventus must be among the top eight teams in Europe, it is our duty.”
With the Bianconeri looking to take a place in the Champions League quarter-finals for only the second time since 2006, Allegri opted to pair Alvaro Morata, instead of compatriot Fernando Llorente, with Carlos Tevez up front.
Llorente and Tevez were the most prolific partnership in Serie A last season as their combination produced 35 goals, but the former Athletic Club forward has struggled for goals so far this campaign and disappointed in his general play.
Meanwhile after making just four starts in all competitions prior to Christmas, Morata has made the most of opportunities to play alongside Tevez in recent matches against AC Milan and Cesena.
With Dortmund’s pressing likely to restrict Juve playing through midfield, Allegri could have decided to stick with the established partnership of Tevez and Llorente with the tall forward acting as a target for long balls.
Morata too can provide a threat in that domain and has a presence in the air, but he is also a dynamic player able to play with his back to goal, then turn and run at defenders.
Allegri revealed to Sky Sport Italia after the match that his side had prepared to deal with Dortmund’s pressing by conceding possession in order to invite them forward and create space in behind them.
The most expensive signing of the Andrea Agnelli and Beppe Marotta era at the club was most suited to this tactic and he was decisive against Dortmund setting up the opening goal for his strike partner and scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 first leg victory.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/zS0XwGcriog[/youtube]
The front two combined on the counterattack for the opening goal on 13 minutes when Morata raced down the left side before his low drive across goal was parried by Roman Weidenfeller straight to Tevez in front of goal.
The supporters inside the Juventus Stadium had grown audibly frustrated as their side continuously conceded possession at times throughout the first-half, but the Bianconeri were at their most effective when they bypassed the midfield.
This was highlighted again for the second goal two minutes before half-time as Tevez was allowed to turn and play in Paul Pogba down the left.
His low cross found the Spaniard unmarked in the front of goal and he calmly side-footed the ball into the net.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/kU8SRpfLusE[/youtube]
With both sides increasingly content to settle with the score line ahead of the second leg at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, Morata continued to show the same persistence characteristic of Tevez.
Tracking back to dispossess Henrikh Mkhitaryan deep in the 88th minute earned him a standing ovation from the fans in the front rows, while he proved that he is capable of a complete performance.
“I think we played well, but it was very difficult,” Morata told Sky Sport Italia after the match.
“The second leg will be extremely tough in a fiery stadium, but Juve will go there with everything we’ve got.”
