ADVANTAGE JUVENTUS AFTER VILLARREAL FIRST LEG

 

Italian football giants Juventus have a slight advantage as the home team in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash with Spanish La Liga side Villarreal after the first leg at the El Madrigal ended in a 1-1 draw. The Italian football heavyweights are the favourites to go through to the quarterfinals at the end of the second leg billed for the Allianz Stadium in Turin in March because of home advantage.

Villarreal were one of the most in-form teams in La Liga ahead of their first leg clash with Juventus, but they made a bad start against the Italian football giants when they could not stop Serbian international DusanVlahovic from scoring after a long ball out of the Juventus defence from Brazilian star Danilo. Vlahovic was playing his first Champions League game in the colours of the Old Lady whom he joined from fellow Italian football side Fiorentina last month. The Serbian had a lot of interests from the Premier League, but his preference has always been to sign for Juventus and he did just that before the latest winter transfer window ended some weeks ago. Juventus paid around €75m to secure his transfer from Fiorentina.

The early goal from Vlahovic ensured that Juventus went into the half-time break with a lead as their defence repelled any danger from the hosts. After the break, Villarreal stepped up their game in search of an equaliserand they were rewarded just before the midway point of the second half when Spanish midfielder was left unmarked inside the Juventus box and he diverted a cross from fellow midfielder Etienne Capoue into the back of the net to level proceedings for his team.

The goal from Parejo ensured that both Juventus and Villarreal have everything to play for when they meet in the second leg.