Paul Pogba was the match winner as Juventus scored twice in a minute to down Olympiacos and save their Champions League dreams from being extinguished in their Group A clash at the Juventus Stadium.
Andrea Pirlo was again deadly from a free kick but his opener was cancelled out moments later by a Alberto Botia’s header. Delvin Dninga looked to have set up a famous Greek victory but it turned to tragedy for the visitors as a Roberto own goal and Paul Pogba slammer gave the Bianconeri a precious three points.
Do you agree or disagree with our ratings? Have your say in the comments below.
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 5 – Shaky
Dropped Afellay’s cross which led to a corner and subsequently the Greek’s equaliser. Didn’t appear to recover fully but wasn’t aided by a static defence.
Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6 – Willing
Was always a willing option if not always at his rampaging best.
Leonardo Bonucci – 5 – Static
Was excellent when winning the ball and instigating moves from the back. However, was slow to recognise the danger and realised too late to stop Ndinga scoring.
Giorgio Chiellini – 5 – Missing
To have Chiellini and Bonucci
Andrea Pirlo – 6 – Dead-ball
Capped his 100th Champions League apperance with a second sublime free kick in three days. Kept things ticking if not at his majestic best.
Arturo Vidal – 6 – Industrial
On another day could had a couple of goals but what he lacked in clinical finishing he made up for fight and spirit. Nothing is a lost cause for the Chilean, although maybe still to see him back to his sharpest after injury. Failed from the spot but more down to Roberto brilliance.
Claudio Marchisio – 6 – Lackluster
The Italian international worked hard but didn’t get involved as much as he would have liked in forward positions.
Kwadwo Asamoah – 5 – Subdued
Not quite his dynamic self and delivery suffered as a result.
Paul Pogba – 8 – Spark
Another centurion, Pogba’s 100th appearance in the Bianconeri colours and what a contribution. Bright and alert, reacted quickest when the ball broke on the edge to fire home the winner
Carlos Tevez – 6 – Persistent
Things didn’t quite go for the Argentine, but he stuck to his task manfully and helped to drive Juventus on when the result appeared to be getting away from them. Won a late penalty as he continued until the final whistle.
Alvaro Morata – 4 – Wasteful
After a bright start, the young Spaniard missed a couple of big opportunities in the first half. Seemed to affect the 22-year-old and he was replaced just before the half hour mark.
Substitutes
Fernando Llorente – 7 – Impact
Made his presence felt not long after entering the frey to force the equaliser and looked a man on a mission. Unlucky not to end the evening with a goal.
Simone Padoin – N/A
Came on to give fresh legs for the tired Marchisio
Roberto Pereyra – N/A
Brought pace and energy to run at the visitors defence as Juventus tried to see the game out. Had one excellent effort brilliantly saved by Roberto
Olympiacos
Roberto Jimenez – 6 – Unfortunate
Hero from two weeks ago, it was a full range of emotions for the Spaniard. Was not a fault but conceded three (including an unlucky own goal) but produced some outstanding stops – top draw was a fabulous save from Vidal’s penalty.
Omar Elabdellaoui – 7 – Improvisation
The Norwegian showed flashes of his talent, none more so then an audacious bit of skill to go through Pogba and Lichtsteiner only to fire wide of Buffon’s far post.
Eric Abidal – 7 – Leader
Organised and led by example. Two goals in two minutes undid the former French internationals hard work.
Alberto Botia – 7 – Jekyll and Hyde
Back after injury and justified return in the first half with a dominant performance and the visitors equaliser. Pressure told in second as at fault for Juventus leveller although denied Llorente a certain goal before the end.
Arthur Masuaku – 6 – Strong
Strong and purposeful as he helped keep Juventus at bay for an hour and knew when to break forward.
Luka Milivojevic – 6 – Shield
Mopped up in front of the Greek Champions back four but lost individual battles at the critical moments. Gave away late penalty, although Roberto bailed him out.
Delvin Ndinga – 6 – First
First Champions League and only third in professional football. Was first to react when Maniatis returned the ball after a long free kick to give Olympiacos a shock but deserved lead if not the winner.
Giannis Maniatis – 6 – Alert
Olympiacos captain wasted a good position to play a teammate in moments before but didn’t pass up a second when he turned the ball back across goal for Ndinga to head in.
Ibrahim Afellay – 6 – Outlet
More effectively in the first half but the Dutch winger was a willing outlet on the break for the Greeks and often allowed the defence to grab a breather.
Alejandro Dominguez – 5 – Delivery
In behind Mitroglou and tried to drop into spaces. Little impact from open play but his deliveries from set pieces proved vital to almost giving Olympiacos a famous double over the Old Lady.
Kostas Mitroglou – 5 – Lonely
Work the channels and created space with some clever movement but failed to link up effectively enough and was on the peripheral of the game as a result.
Substitutes
David Fuster – 4 – Clash
Hardly made himself noticed as his side chased the game, apart from a coming together with Chiellini which left the Italian sprawled on the turf.
Pajtim Kasami – N/A
Grabbed the winner in the Georgios Karaiskáki stadium but was a passenger as Olympiacos failed to muster a second equaliser of the night.
Dimitrios Diamantakos – N/A
Came on as 83rd minute substitution.
