Here’s what happened on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, in case you missed it…
The results
• Watch match highlights: Juventus 1, AS Monaco 0 || Atletico Madrid 0, Real Madrid 0
• Read match reports: Juventus takes first leg in Turin || Atletico, Real battle to stalemate
The main talking points
Pirlo the Great: It’s been six weeks since Andrea Pirlo kicked a ball in a competitive situation. The Italian midfielder injured his calf in the first leg of Juventus’ round-of-16 series vs. Borussia Dortmund, sidelining him for eight games. Pirlo was fit again on Wednesday, but even before the injury he had been dogged by criticism—at 35, he has noticeably slowed down this season, and at times has proven to be a defensive liability and unable to keep up with the pace of the game.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri took a chance in starting Pirlo after such a lengthy layoff, especially against a quick, counterattacking side such as Monaco. When Pirlo looked uneasy in the opening 10 minutes, it looked like Allegri made a mistake. But Pirlo settled into the game as the proceedings wore on, delivering the odd killer pass that unlocked a Monaco defence that Juventus, on the whole, found very difficult to break down. In the second half, Pirlo delivered an inch perfect long ball near the edge of the box for Alvaro Morata. The lanky Spaniard was taken down by Monaco defender Ricardo Carvalho, and Juventus was awarded a penalty (even though replays show the original contact took place just outside the area) that Arturo Vidal slammed home.
In that one moment we were reminded what Pirlo brings to the table and why you must play him when he’s healthy. The Italian maestro remains a game-changer—a player who can influence a match in an instant with a moment of genius. Whether it’s releasing a teammate in on goal with a perfectly weighted pass or scoring on one of his trademark free kicks, Pirlo is still capable of conjuring magic with the ball at his feet. The body may be slowing down, but the mind and will to win is as sharp as ever.
A Madrid derby to forget: A rematch of last year’s Champions League final between heated city rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid had the makings of an electric affair at the Vicente Calderon. But aside from a dust up between Daniel Carvajal Mario Mandzukic—in which the Real Madrid defender appeared to punch the striker in the stomach—this was a pretty tame contest.
Real Madrid’s “Big Three” of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benezema had quiet nights, unable to find the back of the net even tough they had their chances.
Who was outstanding on the night was Jan Oblak. Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper stood on his head in the first half, making no less than half a dozen saves to keep the game from getting out of hand. Ronaldo and Bale were both denied by the superb Slovenian, who at 22 played with a maturity and poise that betrayed his age and experience—Oblak replaced the injured Miguel Ángel Moyà in the first leg vs. Bayer Levekusen in the previous round, and only made his first La Liga appearance last month.
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Goal of the day
There was only one to choose from, and it was a penalty in the 57th minute, but Arturo Vidal blasted his emphatic attempt into the top corner with perfect precision. That’s how you take a penalty.
Save of the day
A defensive miscue sent Gareth Bale in alone on goal in the fourth minute. Bale unleashed a low, driving shot only to see the onrushing Jan Oblak throw out his right hand to deny to the Welshman.
Best moment of the day
After another great performance in Europe, Andrea Pirlo subbed off in the 74th minute and was given a standing ovation by the sellout crowd inside Juventus Stadium as he walked off the field.
Tweet of the day
Six pack of stats
• Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to score a second-half goal this Champions League season.
• Juventus are unbeaten at home against French sides in the Champions League (11 wins and two draws).
• Atletico Madrid faced more shots on target in the first half (six) than in any other Champions League game this season.
• Arturo Vidal found the back of the net Tuesday after going eight Champions League games without scoring (since his hat-trick in Nov. 2013 vs. FC Copenhagen).
• Monaco has won just three of 12 games vs. Italian teams in the Champions League (two draws and seven losses).
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the only Real Madrid player to have started in all nine Champions League games this season.
Stats courtesy of Opta
Burning question
3 stars
1) Jan Oblak: The Slovenian goalkeeper made a number of great saves, including six in the first half, to keep Atletico in the game against Madrid rivals Real.
2) Arturo Vidal: The Chilean was magnificent for Juventus, bossing the midfield with his physical play and his 90% passing rate.
3) Sergio Ramos and Andrea Pirlo: Both put in solid performances that helped their clubs earn positive results and give them the advantage ahead of the second leg.
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