Here’s what happened on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, in case you missed it…
The results
• Watch match highlights: Real Madrid 1, Atletico Madrid 0 || AS Monaco 0, Juventus 0
• Read match reports: Late goal lifts Real into semis || Juve hold off Monaco to advance
The main story
Goals at a premium: Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League produced nine goals over two games, seven of them coming in Bayern Munich’s 6-1 destruction of FC Porto. Bayern and Barcelona put on attacking master-classes in their second leg wins, leaving Wednesday’s combatants (Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Monaco and Juventus) with quite the act to follow.
They didn’t oblige, with one goal—Javier Hernandez’s first in Champions League play in 896 days—the only bit of offence produced over Wednesday’s two second leg matches. This was a day dedicated to the art of defending, not scoring; of destroying, not creating. Not that any of the teams bunkered down and defended with 11 players behind the ball—even Juventus who enjoyed a 1-0 first leg lead and only needed a 0-0 in France to move on to the quarterfinals.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri switched from a 4-3-2-1 to a more defensive 3-5-2 formation, but the Italians were hardly dour in their tactics, choosing to counter attack when given the chance. Juve managed the game brilliantly, as for all of Monaco’s territorial advantage the French side never really threatened to score and only once did it manage to carve upon the Italians’ defence. Andrea Barzagli quarterbacked a Juventus back line that frustrated Monaco all night, forcing them to take shots from distance, as they rarely were able to break into the 18-yard box. Even Andrea Pirlo, criticized this season as being a defensive liability, put in a solid shift on the defensive end, acting as a shield at times for the back three.
Real was in a bit more of a precarious situation than Juventus, as they couldn’t afford to concede at home after battling to a 0-0 road draw last week. Los blancos threw everything they had at their city rivals—Atletico’s bend but don’t break mantra served them well, as the hosts couldn’t find a way to score, even with Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez on the pitch. Real fired seven shots at Jan Oblak, only to see the Slovenian goalkeeper turn away at every one. It was looking like it would take something special to beat him, and it did—and wonderfully crafted goal by Ronaldo, who played the role of provider in setting up Hernandez’s winner in the 88th minute. Atletico was resolute in its defending on the night, and if the game went to extra time it would’ve been a safe bet that the visitors’ goal wouldn’t have been breached.
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Goal of the day
There was only one, but it was pretty. With two minutes left in regulation, Cristiano Ronaldo surged into the penalty area and played a quick one-two with James Rodriguez before the Portuguese slipped the ball across to Javier Hernandez to finish off.
Save of the day
Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak came up with a few fine saves, but his best effort came in the 80th minute when he tipped away Javier Hernandez’s shot destined for the lower corner out of danger.
Best moment of the day
When the cameras on the international TV feed panned to David Trezeguet in attendance at the Monaco-Juventus match. You have to wonder who the Frenchman was cheering for, as he featured for both clubs during his playing career.
Tweet of the day
Six pack of stats
• Javier Hernandez has scored more goals (eight) than any other Mexican player in Champions League history.
• Juventus last reached the Champions League semifinals 12 years ago—they beat Real Madrid before losing to AC Milan in the final.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has recorded 19 assists this term in all competitions, his best haul in a single season.
• Juventus had only two total shots in the 1st half, their joint-lowest tally in the 1st half this term in all competitions this season.
• Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas kept 50 clean sheets, matching Edwin van der Sar’s Champions League record.
• Juventus have lost just one of their last eight games in European competitions against French sides (with four wins).
Stats courtesy of Opta
Burning question
3 stars
1) Javier Hernandez: He scored the late winner for Real Madrid, and asked a lot of questions of Atletico’s defence.
2) Jan Oblak: The 22-year-old goalkeeper made seven saves on the night for Atletico Madrid.
3) Andrea Barzagli: Simply magnificent in marshaling a Juventus defence that gave away very little to Monaco.
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