Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

-

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Lichtsteiner to return for Juventus

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus have undertaken their final training session ahead of the match with Borussia Dortmund, with Stephan Lichtsteiner set to return.

The Swiss right-back was rested for Friday’s win over Atalanta, coming off the bench for 25 minutes, but today’s training session at Juventus Stadium indicates he will return.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri looks set to stick with his tried-and-trusted 4-3-1-2 formation, with Alvaro Morata partnering Carlos Tevez up front as expected.

Patrice Evra is also set to return to the side, while Arturo Vidal is fit after sitting out the Atalanta game

A capacity crowd will take in the action in Turin, with a spectacular fans’ display planned.

The Juventus faithful will spell out the words, in English, “’Til The End”, a translation of the Bianconeri’s “fino alla fine” motto.

Probable Juventus line-up: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Tevez, Morata.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

-

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Line-ups: Juventus-Borussia Dortmund

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus start Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata and Arturo Vidal in the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund.

It kicks off in Turin at 20.45 CET and is the first leg in the Round of 16.

The Bianconeri have always struggled to match their Serie A success in Europe and last season went out in the group stage to Galatasaray.

Vidal missed Friday’s 2-1 win over Atalanta due to a muscular problem, but the Chilean is back in the starting XI this evening with Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba.

Morata gets the nod in attack alongside ‘Apache’ Tevez.

Borussia Dortmund ended 2014 bottom of the Bundesliga, but have since rediscovered their form with three consecutive victories.

Even during their worst domestic period, BVB were still hugely impressive in the Champions League and comfortably won their group.

Ciro Immobile is the surprise pick to start in attack against his former club, though the ex-Torino Capocannoniere pointed out this week he never really played for the Bianconeri and felt closer to their arch-rivals.

Marco Reus is still finding his form after a long injury lay-off, while ex-Genoa defender Sokratis Papasthatopoulos is picked ahead of Neven Subotic.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s extraordinary pace could cause serious problems for an ageing Juve back four.

Juve’s unbeaten home run in all competition now stands at 38 wins and eight draws.

Borussia Dortmund have faced Juventus seven times and never managed to keep a clean sheet.


Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Tevez, Morata

Juventus bench: Storari, Caceres, Ogbonna, Padoin, Pereyra, Coman, Llorente


Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Papasthatopoulos, Hummels, Schmelzer, Gündogan, Sahin, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang, Immobile

Borussia Dortmund bench: Langerak, Ginter, Kirch, Kagawa, Kuba, Kehl, Ramos

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

-

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Marotta: 'Juve season at stake'

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus director Beppe Marotta admits they are “gambling the entire season” against Borussia Dortmund.

The first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 kicks off tonight in Turin.

“This is a game that inevitably brings motivation and excitement,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“The players know that there is an important prize up for grabs. Between the first and second leg, we are gambling the entire season.

“Borussia Dortmund rediscovered their real worth recently and I am sure they will play their game.

“We have top level players too. They need to find the extra motivation that can further improve their performances.”

Arturo Vidal missed Friday’s 2-1 win over Atalanta due to injury, but starts tonight.

“Vidal is a warrior and in that sense this could well be his game,” said Marotta.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

-

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

HT 2-1: Morata dents Dortmund

Feb 24, 2014

Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata have given Juventus a 2-1 half-time lead, but Borussia Dortmund had more possession.

This was the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 and the Juventus Stadium was packed out with a huge banner reading: ‘He who dares wins.’ Alvaro Morata was picked to partner Carlos Tevez, while Arturo Vidal returned after injury. Ciro Immobile started against his old club, though he insisted he felt closer to their arch-rivals Torino.

Immobile had the first shot after 60 seconds, firing just over the bar from distance. However, Juventus took the lead with a counter-attack, as Roman Weidenfeller only parried a Morata effort a few inches, allowing Tevez to bundle over the line with help from Marcel Schmelzer.

It didn’t last long, as Giorgio Chiellini slipped on the turf, allowing Marco Reus to go clear on goal and beat Gigi Buffon. That could prove to be a costly error and meant Reus has scored in each of his last four Champions League appearances.

Leo Bonucci nodded over, but a mistimed Paul Pogba tackle put Lukasz Piszczek out of the game after just 32 minutes.

Buffon got behind a Nurat Sahin snapshot and there was more bad news for Max Allegri, who lost Andrea Pirlo to a calf injury.

Borussia were comfortably more confident as time went on in the first half and had more possession, as that equaliser really seemed to shake up the Old Lady.

Nonetheless, Juve took their chances better and went back in front. Tevez spread down the left for Pogba, who rolled across for Morata to side-foot in from six yards with a delicate and precise finish.


Juventus 2-1 Borussia Dortmund (Half-Time)

Scorers: Tevez 13 (J), Reus 19 (B), Morata 43 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo (Pereyra 37), Pogba; Vidal; Tevez, Morata

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek (Ginter 32), Papasthatopoulos, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gündogan, Sahin; Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang; Immobile

Ref: Lahoz (ESP)

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Juventus 2-1 Borussia Dortmund:
Tevez and Morata give hosts the advantage

The Argentine saw his opener cancelled out by Marco Reus but the Italian side
restored their lead in the first half and were able to hold on for the remainder of the game.

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus will take a narrow advantage into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund following a 2-1 victory in Turin.

This was the first meeting between the teams since the 1997 final, which Dortmund won 3-1 to snatch the trophy from then defending champions Juve, but it was the Serie A outfit who dictated play for the most part on Tuesday.

Carlos Tevez pounced on some clumsy goalkeeping from Roman Weidenfeller to give Juve a deserved lead in the 13th minute, and it was another defensive mishap that led to Dortmund's equaliser five minutes later.

Marco Reus stole in to penalise a Giorgio Chiellini stumble with a composed finish, but Alvaro Morata struck two minutes from the break to earn Juve a narrow advantage heading into the return leg in three weeks' time.

The result means Juve have now gone 47 games unbeaten at home in all competitions - last tasting defeat to Dortmund's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich in April 2013.

Ciro Immobile returned from illness to lead the Dortmund line against his former club and fired an early warning signal when a shot from distance strayed just off target.

The visitors also boasted Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as part of a menacing attacking line-up, while Juve brought in fresh defensive legs in the shape of Patrice Evra and Stephan Lichtsteiner - promoted from the bench following Friday's 2-1 Serie A victory over Atalanta.

It was the hosts who broke the deadlock after 13 minutes.

Morata - added to the Juve attack along with Arturo Vidal - had the beating of his man on the left of the penalty area, and goalkeeper Weidenfeller could only push the Spaniard's low cross into the path of a grateful Tevez for a simple finish.

The lead lasted just five minutes, though, with Reus capitalising on a Chiellini slip to stroll through one-on-one with Gianliugi Buffon and coolly slot home.

Dortmund were forced into a change as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark when Lukasz Piszczek felt the full force of a Paul Pogba sliding challenge.

The momentum of the half was interrupted and Andrea Pirlo was next to limp from the field, with Roberto Pereyra coming on in his place after 37 minutes.

That setback did not knock Juve off their stride, though, with Morata diverting home a Pogba cross three minutes from half-time.

Morata blazed over from six yards out seven minutes into the second half, although the linesman's flag had already been raised for offside, and Weidenfeller thwarted another Juve chance from a Claudio Marchisio corner with Leonardo Bonucci closing in soon after.

Immobile turned in the box to remind Buffon of the danger posed by Dortmund's attackers with a low strike in the 56th minute, but it was Juve who continued to pose the bigger threat, with Tevez sending an effort trickling wide of the left-hand post with 20 minutes to go.

The Argentine stung the palms of Weidenfeller again and Pereyra sent the ball agonisingly wide of the right-hand post before time was up, but Juve had to sette for a one-goal advantage, while Dortmund may be satisfied with Reus' potentially crucial away goal.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Juventus 2-1 Borussia Dortmund:
Bianconeri Take Slim Advantage To Germany

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus edged Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Tuesday evening in the first-leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The Bianconeri went ahead early through Carlos Tevez, but were pegged back swiftly by Marco Reus. Alvaro Morata then put the Serie A side into the lead once again just prior to the halfway stage, thus sealing a narrow victory.

The match began in frantic fashion, with former Juventus and Torino striker Ciro Immobile shooting just over in the opening minute for the visitors.

Dortmund were pressing high at every opportunity, but it was leaving the German outfit exposed at the back on the rare occasions Juventus were able to evade their challenges.

That very circumstance saw the Italian champions take a 13th-minute lead through Carlos Tevez following a breakaway by Alvaro Morata.

Morata’s cross-shot from the left was spilled inexplicably by Borussia goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, which fell invitingly for Tevez to squirm the ball home under pressure from the sliding Marcel Schmelzer.

Their advantage lasted only five minutes, though, when usually reliable defender Giorgio Chiellini slipped over in his own half. Marco Reus pounced on it like a flash, as he deceived Gianluigi Buffon into diving the wrong way when finishing beautifully from 20 yards out.

Juventus tried to get back into the ascendancy when Tevez hooked the ball back from the by-line for strike-partner Morata to nod wide. Andrea Pirlo then sent over a free-kick which was headed over by defender Leonardo Bonucci, who perhaps should have done better.

Dortmund right-back Lukasz Pizczek was replaced by Matthias Ginter shortly after the half-hour point when taking the brunt of a hefty Paul Pogba challenge.

Midfielder Nuri Sahin decided to try his luck from distance when firing a stinging shot that was parried away with great uncertainty by Juve captain Buffon.

Moments later, Pirlo trooped off disconsolately through a knock, with Roberto Pereyra coming on in his place.

The home support were becoming increasingly frustrated as Dortmund exerted some control, but all was forgiven when Spaniard Morata handed Juventus a massive boost approaching half-time.

Danger-man Tevez played a lovely through-ball for Pogba, who crossed low into Morata’s path to sidefoot into the bottom-right corner.

Apart from a Ciro Immobile effort straight at former team-mate Buffon, there was little goalmouth action to speak of in the first 20 minutes of the second period in stark contrast to the fast-paced start.

However, Argentine forward Tevez wormed his way through a crowd in the 71st minute to fire just wide of the left-hand upright in a bid to liven up proceedings.

Immobile made way to whistles for substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski as the contest entered its final fifteen minutes.

Weidenfeller beat away a powerful shot from the lively Tevez as Juventus went in search of a third, before Chiellini headed over the bar from the resultant corner.

Juventus sub Pereyra just missed the far post when bursting through on goal with four minutes remaining, as the hosts looked for an even wider margin of victory.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Juventus earn first-leg victory

over Borussia Dortmund

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus have claimed a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie this evening.

Ciro Immobile threatened inside the opening minute for the visitors with a powerful effort from range that went just over the bar.

However, it was Juventus who took the lead in the 13th minute when Alvaro Morata's shot was spilled by Roman Weidenfeller and Carlos Tevez reacted quickly to slot home the rebound.

Dortmund hit back and they were level five minutes later when Marco Reus pounced on a slip from Giorgio Chiellini to race through and fire into the corner past Gianluigi Buffon.

Morata and Leonardo Bonucci both headed over as the home side looked to regain their lead.

Both teams were then dealt a blow as Lukasz Piszczek and Andrea Pirlo were forced off with injuries.

With three minutes of the first half remaining Juventus scored their second goal of the evening as Paul Pogba squared the ball for Morata to slide home from close range

After the break, substitute Oliver Kirch had a sight of goal for the visitors, but after latching on to a loose ball inside the box he was unable to keep his volley down.

They had another chance soon after when Immobile's shot from a tight angle was saved by Buffon.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes Tevez came within inches of grabbing a third for Juventus when he collected the ball on the edge of the box and drilled a shot just wide.

Tevez then saw his powerful effort beaten away by Weidenfeller and from the resulting corner Chiellini directed his header over the bar.

Juventus had another great chance to extend their lead when Roberto Pereyra raced onto Morata's pass, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

It proved to be the final big chance for either side, as Juventus held onto take a slim advantage into next month's second leg.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Alvaro Morata shines as Juventus
defeat Dortmund in first leg

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus claimed a 2-1 advantage after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.

Carlos Tevez and Marco Reus traded untidy goals before Alvaro Morata restored Juventus' lead late in the first half in Turin.

With no further goals in the second half, the Serie A leaders were left as favourites to progress, although Dortmund's away goal gives them hope.

Little more than a minute had elapsed when Ciro Immobile, against his former club, sent a long-range sighter high and wide of Gianluigi Buffon's goal.

Buffon was then rushed by Giorgio Chiellini's back-pass and hacked the ball out of play, but Marcel Schmelzer's foul throw saw the chance wasted.

Juve took the lead when Morata broke and crossed and Roman Weidenfeller fumbled the ball straight to Tevez to tap home.

But the equaliser arrived five minutes later when Giorgio Chiellini's slip presented the ball to Reus, who calmly tucked it past Buffon from the edge of the box.

Morata nodded Tevez's inventive cutback wide and Bonucci could not get on top of Andrea Pirlo's free kick before the latter was forced off by injury, Roberto Pereyra taking his place.

But the hosts went ahead again three minutes before the break when Tevez held off Ilkay Gundogan and fed Paul Pogba, who crossed low for Morata to finish from six yards.

Dortmund twice threatened early in the second half, substitute Oliver Kirch unable to convert Schmelzer's free kick while Buffon saved from Immobile.

For Juve, Chiellini was denied by Weidenfeller while Pogba was unable to finish off a determined run and Tevez flashed high and wide.

Mats Hummels cleared Morata's dangerous cross and Tevez worked space amid a crowd of defenders before getting off a low shot which was deflected wide.

Immobile fizzed an opportunist snap-shot over the bar and Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired wide but Dortmund were only able to muster long-range efforts, save for Immobile's header wide under pressure.

Chiellini headed Claudio Marchisio's corner over after Weidenfeller saved from Tevez before Pereyra missed the chance to give the Italians a dominant first-leg lead, skewing a shot across goal from the corner of the six-yard box.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

CL: Morata takes down Dortmund

Feb 24, 2014

Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata gave Juventus a 2-1 first leg Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund.

This was the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 and the Juventus Stadium was packed out with a huge banner reading: ‘He who dares wins.’ Morata was picked to partner Tevez, while Arturo Vidal returned after injury. Ciro Immobile started against his old club, though he insisted he felt closer to their arch-rivals Torino.

Immobile had the first shot after 60 seconds, firing just over the bar from distance. However, Juventus took the lead with a counter-attack, as Roman Weidenfeller only parried a Morata effort a few inches, allowing Tevez to bundle over the line with help from Marcel Schmelzer.

It didn’t last long, as Giorgio Chiellini slipped on the turf, allowing Marco Reus to go clear on goal and beat Gigi Buffon. That could prove to be a costly error and meant Reus has scored in each of his last four Champions League appearances.

Leo Bonucci nodded over, but a mistimed Paul Pogba tackle put Lukasz Piszczek out of the game after just 32 minutes.

Buffon got behind a Nurat Sahin snapshot and there was more bad news for Max Allegri, who lost Andrea Pirlo to a calf injury.

Borussia were comfortably more confident as time went on in the first half and had more possession, as that equaliser really seemed to shake up the Old Lady.

Nonetheless, Juve took their chances better and went back in front. Tevez spread down the left for Pogba, who rolled across for Morata to side-foot in from six yards with a delicate and precise finish.

Leonardo Bonucci failed to nod in a corner and Immobile fired straight at Buffon, while Tevez volleyed off target. Tevez had a great chance on 71 minutes, his low drive taking a decisive touch off Mats Hummels to skim the upright.

Immobile and Henrik Mkhitaryan were off target, but Tevez went on a solo run to sting Weidenfeller’s gloves with a powerful shot. From that corner, Chiellini nodded over.

Leo Bonucci performed an acrobatic clearance with the long ball dropping over his shoulder, preventing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from going clear on goal.

Roberto Pereyra came so close to a third at the 86th minute, running on to a Morata assist, but his angled drive was inched wide of the far post.


Juventus 2-1 Borussia Dortmund

Scorers: Tevez 13 (J), Reus 19 (B), Morata 43 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo (Pereyra 37), Pogba; Vidal (Padoin 86); Tevez (Coman 88), Morata

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek (Ginter 32), Papasthatopoulos (Kirch 46), Hummels, Schmelzer; Gündogan, Sahin; Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang; Immobile (Blaszczykowski 76)

Ref: Lahoz (ESP)

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Morata: 'Juve will give their all'

Feb 24, 2014

Alvaro Morata expects Borussia Dortmund will be tough, “but Juventus go there with everything we’ve got.”

The ex-Real Madrid striker got the decisive goal and helped set up the opener for Carlos Tevez in this 2-1 first leg victory.

“I think we played well, but it was very difficult. Borussia Dortmund don’t have a good position in the Bundesliga, but we all know they are strong in the Champions League,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“The second leg will be extremely tough in a fiery stadium, but Juve will go there with everything we’ve got.”

Morata was asked whether he preferred spaces to counter-attack or for his team to keep the initiative and need to break down locked defences.

“A striker has to adapt to every situation in a game. Tonight we won and I am happy. Playing against Italian teams is very educational, even in training against our defenders. Sometimes Chiellini whacks me, but he means well!”

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Allegri: 'Juve plan worked'

Feb 24, 2014

Max Allegri explained his tactical approach to beating Borussia Dortmund, which meant Juventus giving up possession.

Carlos Tevez saw his opener wiped out by Marco Reus, then Alvaro Morata secured the 2-1 first leg victory.

“It was a fair result, though we could’ve had more goals and had far more scoring opportunities. I thought we had a good second half and allowed Borussia practically nothing,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.

“We know their qualities, as they like to play with pace and run into spaces. The Champions League will always be a balanced encounter and we defended in an organised manner.

“We didn’t make the most of two or three counter-attacks when clear on goal, as we got the final ball wrong.

“It was a big test against a great side and the lads did well. Now we’ll focus on the head-to-head with Roma in Serie A and after that think about Dortmund.”

Juventus had less possession on their own turf, but Allegri revealed that was a precise game-plan.

“To break down Borussia you need technique, precision and intensity. It was a very tactical game and I think we had more chances than they did.

“We prepared this tactic, to invite Borussia forward, clog the midfield and therefore create spaces behind them. At this level you can’t try to dominate your opponents, so we aimed to make the most of their defensive weaknesses.

“Borussia were very intense in the first half, but lost some of that over time and we emerged with more chances to increase our lead.

“They were arranged in a slightly different way, playing 4-3-3 and trying to attack our full-backs. We emerged well from those situations, though were closed up more down the right and should’ve done better.”

A 2-1 first leg result is a dangerous one going to Dortmund for the second leg, but Allegri is confident.

“I leave this game with few doubts and many certainties. The team needs to grow and it was an important test after a difficult group phase.

“In the end we got the result by playing good football against a side with specific characteristics, so we adapted to those.”

There was bad news in the first half when Andrea Pirlo limped off with a calf injury and now has to be at risk against Roma too.

“He went off with a calf problem and will be evaluated tomorrow morning. We’ll see.”

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Klopp: 'Juve deserved win, but...'

Feb 24, 2014

Jurgen Klopp said Juventus “deserved this result,” but remains confident Borussia Dortmund can turn it around.

The Germans lost 2-1 in Turin in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, scoring a precious away goal with Marco Reus.

“It’s not true to say we didn’t have any shots in the second half, but we did play better in the first half,” Klopp told Sky Sport Italia.

“Our plan was to press them on the ball, especially Chiellini and Bonucci, which of course worked for the goal.

“However, we gave away two goals much too easily and it is always going to be a problem if you do that.

“In the first half we didn’t deserve to be a goal down, but after the break Juve did enough to deserve this result.

“This changes little, we will see who emerges the winner in Dortmund. I think we can be strong at home and even if this had ended in a draw, we’d still feel the need to win at home.

“If you think about two games against Juve, it’s normal to lose one of them by a single goal. We’ll try to make up for that in the second one.”

Klopp was seen discussing with the referee during the break and revealed he wanted Paul Pogba punished for a foul that forced Lukasz Piszczek out of the game.

“Some decisions irritated me, as Pogba should’ve received a yellow card. We don’t have alternatives at right-back at the moment, so we had to make changes.”

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Player Ratings: Juventus 2-1 Borussia Dortmund

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus edged out Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund in a close encounter with a 2-1 victory at the Juventus stadium in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday night.

The Bianconeri took the lead after just 13 minutes through Carlos Tevez who nudged the ball over the line after Roman Weidenfeller spilled Alvaro Morata’s shot. Marco Reus then brought the game level by pouncing upon Giorgio Chiellini’s slip, before Morata restored Juventus’ lead on the stroke of half time as he turned in Paul Pogba’s low cross.

 

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon – 6 – Untested - Couldn’t be blamed for the goal. Looked uncertain when he seemed to be unnecessarily tested by a Mkhitaryan long shot.

Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6 – Dynamo - Typically hard working on Juventus’s right flank, always on hand at both ends of the pitch if required.

Leonardo Bonucci – 6 – Solid - Unfortunately taken out of the play when his defensive partner slipped in front of him to allow Reus in. Fairly solid when his path to the ball was less obstructed.

Giorgio Chiellini – 5 – Clumsy - Slipped while trying to control the ball to gift Reus his chance to score.

Patrice Evra – 6 – Experienced - Nullified Dortmund’s threat down his side through Aubameyang effectively.

Claudio Marchisio – 5 – Elusive - Drifted out of the game frequently. His delivery from corners in Pirlo’s absence was of good quality at least.

Andrea Pirlo – 5 – Injured - Under constant pressure from the Dortmund players, but he was not to be constrained and found space to get on the ball and pick his passes. Had to be withdrawn after 35 minutes with an injury.

Paul Pogba – 7 – Capable - Struggled to find his mercurial domestic form, but was a positive influence nonetheless. His athleticism made for a good battle with Piszczek and his low cross just before half time perfectly picked out Morata to put the Old Lady ahead again.

Arturo Vidal – 7 – Indomitable - Found himself involved in the play all over the pitch, battling for the ball tirelessly.

Carlos Tevez – 8 – Enterprising - His direct running and skill caused a few problems for Dortmund. In the right place for his goal after combining well with Morata for his goal. Worked hard and chased throughout the game. Inches from putting the game to bed with his sliding shot in the 70th minute.

Alvaro Morata – 8 – Classy - The Spaniard exhibited some nice touches. He launched the counter at speed after exchanging passes with Tevez on the halfway line before his shot teed up his strike partner on the rebound. Finished his own chance well from Pogba’s cross to give Juventus the lead going into the second leg.


Substitutes

Roberto Peyrera – 6 – Dynamic - Not quite as elegant as Pirlo had been in midfield but his energy helped Juventus to win the midfield battle. A couple of incisive runs looked promising. Missed a fantastic chance at the end of the game to extend his side’s advantage.

Simone Padoin – N/A

Kingsley Coman – N/A


 

Borussia Dortmund

Roman Weidenfeller – 4 – Shaky - Spilled Morata’s low shot across his body which allowed Tevez to scuff home the rebound. Fortunate not to concede from Bonucci’s close range header. Appeared to be struggling to communicate with and command his defence.

Lukasz Piszczek – 5 – Injured - The Pole struggled to contribute going forward against Evra and Pogba. Substituted after half an hour with an injury.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos – 4 – Absent - Nowhere to be seen as an unmarked Morata stroked the ball past Weidenfeller and was replaced during the interval.

Mats Hummels – 7 – Assertive - Made several well timed challenges and interceptions. Used his physicality to deal with Tevez when the diminutive Argentine proved too tricky for him.

Marcel Schmelzer – 6 – Untroubled - Had a decent game in which most of the Bianconeri’s attacking verve came from the opposite side.

Ilkay Gundogan – 5 – Sluggish - Tried to keep things ticking over in midfield but was unable to break up Juventus’ attacks and failed to win the ball in the lead up to both goals.

Nuri Sahin – 5 – Uninspiring - Still looking a shadow of the player that left Germany for Real Madrid in 2011.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6 – Improved - Quiet in the first half but began to get the better of Vidal and find space in the second, although not enough to make a difference.

Marco Reus – 8 – Opportunist - Toiled on the left wing to make something happen for his side. Dragged Dortmund back into the game when he capitalised on Chiellini’s error to sprint into the area and finish clinically past Buffon. Showed immense quality on the ball all night where his teammates could not.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5 – Indecisive - Threatening with his pace but failed to produce anything of substance with the ball. Often made the wrong decision when he had any time.

Ciro Immobile – 6 – Spirited - Sighter taken in the opening minute from outside the area showed his intention to hurt his former team. His movement upfront made him a nuisance for the Bianconeri defence. Withdrawn fifteen minutes from time after a lively display.


Substitutes

Matthias Ginter – 5 – Average - Allowed Pogba to get the ball across for the second goal.

Oliver Kirch – N/A

Jakub Blaszczykowski – 5 – Cameo - Showed signs of the quality Dortmund have missed after his torrid year-long spell on the sidelines.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Carlos Tevez warns Juventus face difficult
second leg; Max Allegri relaxed

Feb 24, 2014

Carlos Tevez said Juventus face a "difficult" challenge in their second leg against Dortmund despite taking a 2-1 lead to Germany, though manager Massimiliano Allegri said he is "not worried."

Tevez scored the Italian champions' opener to give his team the advantage after the first leg in Turin, but the striker said Juve's advancement is far from guaranteed.

"At this stage of the Champions League no tie is finished after the first leg, even if we had won 3-0," Tevez told Sky Sport Italia. "It's all difficult at this point."

Allegri, however, felt Juventus are in good position to reach the quarterfinals.

"I'm not worried for the second leg," Allegri said. "In the Champions League, particularly at this stage, you're up against the best teams in Europe and you've got to be patient and organised in defence. You've got to find the weaknesses of the opponents and exploit them.

"I think Buffon hardly had a save to make.

"We needed this game because in Serie A, we're not used to playing 70 minutes without the ball and defending, but in the second half we did both of these. This is a step forwards for a team who can do well in Europe, while remaining aware of the problems we can still have in the second leg."

Marco Reus took advantage of Giorgio Chiellini's slip to score a crucial away goal, but Tevez said that mistake was not representative of his team's performance.

"I think we put in a good performance. Their goal was down to our error, but I think we did well," Tevez said.

"I think after their goal we struggled for about 20 minutes, but then got back on track."

Allegri also said he felt Juventus improved after taking the lead into the break.

"I think we played a good game, above all organised," the manager said. "We had a few problems in defence in the first half when they pressed us well in the midfield. In the second half, we played a bit better.

"It's a shame about the goal, but these things happen.

"I'm happy with the lads. It's not easy playing a last-16 Champions League game, and it often comes down to minor incidents in such games, but the team responded well when they saw we could attack them deep. We didn't concede any major risks."

Dortmund held a slight edge in possession as they chased the winning goal, but Allegri felt Juventus were the dominant side.

"We're happy because we've won the home leg and above all we performed well," Allegri said.

"The right attitude there will also depend on how they let us play, but I think this game has done us good because you can't always think of dominating games, but when you play games like this, you can dominate them by not conceding and creating chances. It's just a different way of dominating."

Tevez's goal came on a rebound from a strike by Alvaro Morata, who also scored the winner for Juve. The Argentine is nearly 10 years older than his Spanish strike partner but said their teamwork is coming together nicely.

"We've been playing together more regularly and you can see that on the field," Tevez said.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Dortmund woes on display as Juve's
deadly counter proves decisive

Feb 24, 2014

Three quick thoughts from Tuesday night's Champions League round-of-16 first leg in Turin, where Juventus downed Borussia Dortmund 2-1.


1. Juventus use counter to effect but still lack quality

For most of the first half, be it with Andrea Pirlo or without -- the Italian left injured after 36 minutes -- Borussia Dortmund took the match to Juve. But two fantastic counterattacks paved the way for the Italians' deserved 2-1 win against the Bundesliga strugglers.

Ahead of the tie, Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal said his side are already up there with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona as the main Champions League favourites. They are not. They have a vulnerable back four, which will be punished more than once by better attacks than Borussia Dortmund's.

But Juventus achieved two things. Firstly, they took the fight out of Borussia Dortmund once they saw that Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was hesitant to issue a yellow card. And secondly, and mainly, the counterattack leading to Juventus' first goal was extraordinary. Alvaro Morata took out Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos and then, with the help of Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, the former Real Madrid man put the ball through to Carlos Tevez for the opening goal. Tevez's physicality was the starting point for the second goal, as the Argentinian won a ball 25 metres from Dortmund's goal and passed it behind the line to Paul Pogba, whose ball set up Morata for the goal. Ironically, it was just the third time that Juve had been in the Dortmund half.

The Serie A champions, however, failed to put the nail into Dortmund's coffin in the second half, and will now be up against the Westfalenstadion and BVB in three weeks. Anything can still happen, but Juve will not reach the level of Europe's top teams this season.


2. Dortmund's Bundesliga woes on display

This is how Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga season fell apart early this season. They played well in the middle of the park, but other than forcing Juventus into their own half, Dortmund were not able to create a lot of danger. What happened in defense is an entirely different story. Mistakes and misjudgments led to two goals from only three Dortmund passes into the box.

But let's stay up front for a while. After three consecutive wins in the Bundesliga, BVB manager Jurgen Klopp withdrew Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the top and handed a new chance to Ciro Immobile, and also to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who replaced winter signing Kevin Kampl.

It didn't look too bad. The 4-1-4-1 system allowed BVB to attack Juve high, with Mkhitaryan and Ilkay Gundogan sitting a bit deeper than wingers Marco Reus and Aubameyang. Up front, Immobile was invisible for the majority of the match, although the Italian had three good attempts at Gigi Buffon's goal -- in the fourth, 57th and 75th minutes -- before being replaced by Jakub Blaszczykowski. Immobile has not still arrived at the Westfalenstadion, and it's doubtful he ever will.

Klopp's personnel changes failed to impress, contrary to his tactics. Dortmund's goal came on a freak mistake by Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, and other than a Nuri Sahin shot in the first half from outside the box, BVB never got into dangerous positions.

What happened behind Sahin had all the makings of Dortmund's Bundesliga season. Weidenfeller, a World Cup winner, did not manage to hold on to the ball before Tevez slotted in from short distance. The second goal might have been down to a wonderful combination between Tevez, Pogba and Morata, but at least the Spaniard could have been man-marked by Mats Hummels.

The thing with Borussia Dortmund this season is that from here on it can go either way, but if they fail to close the gaps in the back four, they will bid goodbye to Champions League for at least the next 18 months, despite, arguably, being the better side.


3. Reus-Pogba duel ends in draw

One hundred million euro man Paul Pogba or Marco Reus? That was one of the anticipated duels on the pitch this Tuesday night. It resulted in a draw. Pogba contributed by setting up Morata's game-deciding goal shortly before halftime, and Reus scored the important away goal for Borussia Dortmund.

They rarely met on the pitch, with the Frenchman and the German covering their respective left side. Pogba sat deeper and was more connected with his side, even more so when Juventus slowly got the upper hand of the match in the second half. Having taken out Lukasz Piszczek with a tackle from behind -- and bizarrely not going into the books -- Pogba then faced Sokratis, and after that, Oliver Kirch. The Juve midfielder clocked up a passing average of some 90 percent, including the neat pass to Morata.

Reus, on the other side, continued his hot streak for Dortmund as he scored in the fourth consecutive match since signing his contract extension earlier this month. But with Aubameyang playing on the other wing, Reus missed his natural partner in BVB's attack. With the deep-lying Mkhitaryan and Gundogan placed between Aubameyang and Reus, Dortmund's high pressing was nothing more than defending most of the time. But Reus, by now, has become one of the players feared by his opponents, be it in Bundesliga or in Europe. And so when Chiellini slipped, the German picked up the ball, ran toward the box, and put the ball away in his unique style from just outside the 16-metre line.

The battle between Pogba and Reus ended one-all, but on Tuesday, Juventus had Tevez and Morata against Immobile and Mkhitaryan. On a day like that, with the high art of defending nonexistent, that made the difference.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Marco Reus Goal Keeps Borussia Dortmund
Champions League Hopes Alive vs Juventus

Feb 24, 2014

Borussia Dortmund may have lost the first leg of their Champions League tie with Juventus by two goals to one, but Jurgen Klopp will be confident enough of giving it a go back in Germany when the two sides meet again in three weeks' time.

The resurgent side travelled to Turin in a buoyant mood, having racked up three wins in a row in the Bundesliga of late, and certainly looked like their old selves when they took to the pitch at the Juventus Stadium.

Zipping around the pitch with an old style of play that values tenacious closing down and inch-perfect attacking passing, Dortmund approached their Italian opponents with little respect, and in return Juventus seemed to revert back to the team that has dropped out of Europe at this stage three years in a row.

However, a famous victory wasn't to be, and if only to enrage Black and Yellow fans across the continent, Klopp's team ultimately fell on their own sword and allowed Juventus the advantage on the night.

In a manner befitting of Dortmund's stop-start season, it was the misguidance and unpleasant inability to perform from both Roman Weidenfeller and Marcel Schmelzer—two serial chokers throughout this current campaign—who did all they could to undermine the fantastic way Klopp's side had come to dominate in Turin.

Although Marco Reus was fortunate to grab a goal in the 18th minute, when Giorgio Chiellini tripped on the ball and allowed the Dortmund forward to run in and simply tap the ball past a bemused Gianluigi Buffon in goal, the home side were counting their blessings after two simple attacks down the left flank that resulted in tap-ins for both Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata in the 13th and 42nd minutes respectively.

Both goals could have undoubtedly been broken down by a series of midfielders and defenders before each ball made it into the box yet all the cameras caught was the Dortmund left-back failing to be in the right place at the right time on each occasions.

Schmelzer has long looked like a weak link in this Dortmund side—often favoured by Klopp for his industrious nature and Erik Durm's mysterious dip in form this season—and Massimo Allegri's team clearly picked up on that before the game. Two mistakes from the Bundesliga defence and Dortmund were somehow behind at half-time.

Unfortunately Dortmund were unable to muster the necessary incentive to right any wrongs they feel they may have been subjected to in the opening 45, and with the niggling injuries to Lukasz Piszczek and then Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Klopp's side looked like a shadow of the bullies who'd arrived in Italy earlier that day.

Such circumstances forced the Bundesliga side into making two defensive substitutions when in fact Klopp should have been bringing Shinji Kagawa and Jakub Blaszczykowski on for the largely ineffective Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ciro Immobile.

The Armenian international was a surprise pick on the night—undoubtedly starting so Klopp could rest Kagawa for the prioritised league clash with Schalke this weekend—but offered very little to suggest he had any intention of turning his form around at the club any time soon.

Similarly, Immobile returned to his old club with the same huff and puff that we've seen from the young Italian each week but with very little purpose or indeed reason for being on the pitch at all.

One bright spark came in the 55th minute when the striker received the ball in the box and was able to turn and hit a low, powerful shot at Buffon, but aside from that, it was another disappointing night for the Dortmund striker.

In truth, it was the home side who should have added to their tally in the second half with a number of commanding corners directed straight to the head of a dominant Chiellini time and time again before substitute Roberto Pereyra missed a clear chance in the 85th minute to put the tie to bed.

Juventus may come to regret not finishing off the round in Turin when they appear before the Yellow Wall in hostile Dortmund, yet on the night they will be happy to take any lead at all into the second leg.

By the end Dortmund looked vulnerable, out of ideas and a little out of breath. Klopp's side had come to surprise Juventus and that they did before old habits came back to offer the Italian side a somewhat undeserved lead.

The second leg awaits with undoubtedly more goals and a few twists in the tale before all is said and done.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Mission far from accomplished as Juve
fail to kill off lively Dortmund

They may have won 2-1, but the Bianconeri's away record in Europe - and Dortmund's
suitability for the Champions League - leaves the Germans favourites to progress.

Feb 24, 2014

By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent

In Juventus’ recent history, there have been few nights like this. A Champions League knockout win over a team of Borussia Dortmund’s calibre has not been witnessed since the days when the intimidating Stadio delle Alpi lay on the site of the captivating Juventus Stadium.

But the nature of their 2-1 victory on Tuesday left many wondering quite how to react. A win is a win, they say, except this one was not quite as healthy as it could have been. With a second leg to come they could live to regret not stamping on their opponents’ throats when they had the chance.

Juventus started brightly. They were full of energy, lifted the tempo from minute one, and the home support responded by filling the stadium with noise.

The roof came off 13 minutes in when Alvaro Morata’s clever play in the left channel forced Roman Weidenfeller into an error which allowed Carlos Tevez to tuck home the opening goal. It was just the start they needed and should have given them a real stranglehold on proceedings.

But instead they quickly handed back the initiative. They took their foot of the pedal and Giorgio Chiellini’s slip allowed Marco Reus to equalise. After that, the game was never quite the same again.

The urgency and desire of the opening 13 minutes disappeared and all of a sudden Dortmund were counter-attacking with real verve. Whereas in the early moments Juve were the aggressors, BVB had quickly regained their flow and showed themselves to be exactly what they are. While they remain in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, the Dortmund machine is very much in tune with the Champions League.

It is no accident that Jurgen Klopp has led his side to a quarter-final and a final in this competition in the last two seasons. With power, pace and endless willing, Dortmund are built for Europe. And they’re also long enough in the tooth to know that a 2-1 away defeat is far from the worst result a side can take home with them.

Even after Morata side-footed home from Paul Pogba’s low cross just before half-time, there was no panic evident amongst those in yellow. They continued to exploit gaps left behind as Juve looked for a crucial third goal and would have taken a share of the spoils away with them had the hapless Ciro Immobile hit the target with one of a couple of blazing efforts from around the edge of the area.

Dortmund are a strong outfit whose cogs are not quite clicking into place at the moment. Juventus, on the other hand, have still to show their true Champions League pedigree.

It is a long time since the Bianconeri last found themselves in this position. Their only knockout victories in the last nine years of this competition before Tuesday were a pair of wins against Celtic in 2013. In many ways, this is a high water mark. And many will point to Chiellini’s slip as a key moment, but to watch these two teams is to know that Dortmund would have found their way to equalise anyway.

But Juve head to Germany as underdogs to progress with good reason. They have won only four of their last 16 away trips in the Champions League and BVB look like a team beginning to find their feet after a wretched start to the campaign. It will take a monumental effort in Dortmund to make the most of their 2-1 lead.

That is not to say they won’t progress. They will remind themselves of huge turnarounds in recent seasons – not least when winning their last three group games to reach the 2012-13 knockouts – as they build up to their biggest game of the season in three weeks’ time.

But if they are eliminated, it will be the loss of the initiative in this first leg that they will live to regret. They began the game as the big, brave warriors looking to take on Europe with the force of a thousand men, but finished it with a nervous smile and a feeling that the hard work is still to be done.

Juventus are far from in the box seat.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Weidenfeller: Loss To Juventus
Is An ‘Acceptable’ Result

Feb 24, 2014

Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller has stated that the 2-1 loss to Juventus is an acceptable one.

Die Schwarzgelben were defeated at the Juventus Stadium in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie, and the 2014 World Cup winner said that his side’s offensive play must improve.

“We could’ve done better, but the result is acceptable,” he told UEFA.com.

“Our offensive play must be more organised, you can’t expect to be fortunate all the time.”

Both sides will face each other in the second leg of the tie at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, with Borussia Dortmund aiming to make it three consecutive seasons where they have made it to at least the quarter-finals.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

JUVENTUS 2-1 BORUSSIA DORTMUND
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REPORT

Feb 24, 2014

What a game! That was everything you want from the Champions League, two evenly matched teams, two good coaches, and 90 minutes of back and forth fighting. Best of all, Juventus won 2-1. Of course, we still have the return leg in Dortmund, so anything can happen. That said it was a fine win for Juventus and even more so, a big step forward for the project. While Juventus dominate in Italy, our stature in Europe has still not recovered from Calciopoli – and now, from the weak state of Serie A sides in Europe in general.

The game actually started rather slow. Borussia Dortmund were pressing relentlessly, as they would all game, but neither side wanted to risk exposing themselves in order to score. At least, not at first. Ciro Immobile caused a scary moment when he forced Gianluigi Buffon to clear the ball early on, but Buffon was quick to get that ball out of play. Similarly, Immobile received a pass and caught Giorgio Chiellini out of position at the start of Juve’s half. Patrice Evra made a risky but perfectly timed tackle to stop it.

Juve would make a statement quickly, though. Alvaro Morata, in the 12th minute, found himself with some space in Dortmund’s half. He made a run towards the leftside edge of Dortmund’s area, and took a shot from a questionable angle. Despite the angle Morata’s shot was forceful enough to force a save from Roman Weidenfeller, and Carlos Tevez was right there to tap in the rebound. Who else?

It was a great moment, and Juventus Stadium erupted in celebration. Juventus were ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Sadly, five minutes later it all changed. It was a pedestrian play, really. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci were a bit too close together, awaiting an aerial ball coming down. Marco Reus was facing them a few yards away. Chiellini slipped as he took his first touch, and Marco Reus was able to easily get the ball and a one on one with Buffon.

As great as Buffon is, it’s tough in general to stop an attacker with such space. Much less Reus, who had his pick of any shot. Predictably, Reus slid one past Buffon, and the game was level. Even worse, Dortmund had scored a crucial away goal. As upsetting as the sequence was, Juventini can perhaps take solace in the fact that Dortmund only scored via a freak accident.

Juventus were quick to respond. Leonardo Bonucci, who had a fine game in defense, sent forth an aerial long ball to Carlos Tevez. Bonucci, who had been instructed by Allegri previously this season to keep his passes on the ground, was given free reign today with his passing, and Juve benefited. This time, he found Tevez, who hooked the ball back for Morata. Morata was about 15 yards out and took a strong header, but he was just too far from the goal and Weidenfeller easily saved the chance.

Bonucci himself would get a chance to score soon after. Mats Hummels fouled Arturo Vidal by the corner flag, though he had seemingly contained Vidal and was about to win a throw-in. A free kick was awarded, and Andrea Pirlo found Bonucci in the box, but his header went over the goal by a decent amount.

Pirlo would come off minutes later during a setpiece. It was rather sudden, he didn’t collapse on the field and get carried off. Rather, as the teams set up for the next whistle, Pirlo came off for Roberto Pereyra. It seemed like a bad omen for Juventus, but Pereyra would end up having a fine game.

When Pirlo left, Claudio Marchisio moved back into the regista role. Roberto Pereyra actually took over Vidal’s spot as a “trequartista” – though this is a misnomer as either Vidal or Pereyra in that position always helps defends, and thus isn’t really a trequartista – and Vidal moved to central midfield alongside Pogba. It was a smart move by Max, as each man really excelled in their given spot. Even Vidal, who has struggled at times this season.

But it was Pogba, not Vidal, who would have hand in Juve’s second goal. Tevez passed to Pogba out left, who fed Morata a ball into the box, which was tapped in for Juve’ go ahead goal. It was right before half time, and in a way it took the sails out of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

During the second half, it seemed Dortmund were almost content with the result. At least, they were happy to lay back and try to hit Juve on the counter. Certainly, they continued to press Juve’s players nonstop. However, especially in midfield, the Juventus men quickly adapted to the pressing and responded with quick passing, deft touches, and smart movement.

Juve did have a few chances to score during the second half. Carlos Tevez forced a save that led to a corner in the 65th minute, and Roberto Pereyra had a painfully close effort that went across the face of goal and just wide. The Pereyra effort would have been assisted by Morata, by the way. He was basically like a perfect hybrid of Llorente and Tevez, both a reference point and a tenacious player who helped create in attack and close down in defense.

Dortmund’s most dangerous moments in the second half came near the end of the match, when they had two chances in two minutes around the 90th minute. However, both times they were only able to penetrate Juve’s area, and not actually execute in the box. At other times, Juve foiled their attacks. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for example, was fed a dangerous long ball, but Bonucci cleared it with a bicycle kick before it could reach its destination.

While Dortmund may have weakened a bit in the second half, they will stand strong in the second leg. Juventus, who will be the away side, will really need an away goal to secure a win. Still, they showed today that they can take on Dortmund’s best side and handle them. In 3 weeks we will see if a change of scenery can affect the two sides.


Statistics

Man of the Match: Alvaro Morata

Flop of the Match: Giorgio Chiellini

Fouls: 8

Corners: 8

Pass Accuracy: 80%

Shots on Target: 3

Total Shots: 10

Ball Possession: 47%

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Formation
 

 

Lineups

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo (Pereyra 37), Pogba; Vidal (Padoin 86); Tevez (Coman 88), Morata

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek (Ginter 32), Papasthatopoulos (Kirch 46), Hummels, Schmelzer; Gündogan, Sahin; Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang; Immobile (Blaszczykowski 76)

Ref: Lahoz (ESP)

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Allegri confident Juventus will progress

The Bianconeri overcame Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Tuesday,
leaving their coach with "a few doubts but many certainties".

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri believes that Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund was a coming of age performance from his team and believes they can hold onto their lead in the second-leg and progress to the quarter-finals.

Carlos Tevez gave the Italian champions the lead in Turin but the visitors hit back through Marco Reus before Alvaro Morata struck to secure a narrow first-leg lead.

The former AC Milan boss feels that his side will have chances to cancel out BVB's away goal in the second leg and says his side's showing left him with few doubts.

"We will have chances to score more goals," he told Sky.

"In the defensive zone, we were very ordered, we were probably wrong on some passages but I am very satisfied with my guys.

"Jurgen Klopp positioned his strikers in a different way but we contained them. After this game, I have a few doubts and many certainties. Juventus were confirmed today.

"You must have good technique and speed against teams like Dortmund. We set up the game, we did not want to leave them space.

"In the Champions League, it's impossible to think of dominating the opponents. We had a good second half."

Juventus travel to Dortmund for the second leg on March 18.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Juventus 2 - Borussia Dortmund 1:
Initial reaction and random observations

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus had just seen their lead — and Giorgio Chiellini — slip away mere minutes after Carlos Tévez gave his team a 1-0 advantage. They looked every bit of a team that was shaken, giving away possession and while seeing Borussia Dortmund start to truly take over the game and impose their will and high pressure. It wasn't looking good for Juventus as the first half went on — their lead was gone, and so was their ability to command what was directly in front of them.

Then, on a quick counterattack, Álvaro Morata happened, with a tip of the hat to Paul Pogba and his beautiful assist.

And then, after a second half of defensive stands, a Juventus win happened, which is almost always a good thing.

What was expected to be a close tie is still exactly that. Juventus heads to Germany for leg No. 2 in two weeks with a slim 2-1 advantage after Marco Reus' first-half strike on Chiellini's massive blunder gave Dortmund the away goal they so desired. Juventus' goal was to keep Dortmund off the scoreboard, but when you have gift-wrap the opposition an equalizer as easy and simple as that one, all those hopes go flying out the window.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@carlitos3210: "The return leg? Even if we had won 3-0 tonight it still wouldn't be over."

Honestly, I love that attitude. Carlitos knows. And after watching the first leg, so do a lot of us here.

Juventus rebounded nicely after Morata's goal gave them the lead for what proved to be for good. But Dortmund are dangerous even though they aren't the same kind of team they were a few years ago. They still have talented players, they still have Jürgen Klopp, they still have the second leg at home. Juventus got the first step mostly right, but there's still a second leg to be played in an atmosphere that's just as imposing as the one at Juventus Stadium.

It's not over, but it was never going to be because these two teams are both out there to prove a point. Tuesday night was a good win, but I won't truly celebrate until we get the chance to see Gigi Buffon giving out hugs to anybody willing after Juventus advances to the Champions League quarterfinals.

Hopefully we actually get to see that.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "It was a fair result. We could have scored more but I’m happy with the win and our overall performance."


Random thoughts and observations

Because of the nine-hour time difference between Italy and where I live here in the U.S., all of the morning news from Italy pops up online right as I'm about to head to bed. Some predicted lineups had Fernando Llorente starting over Morata. Man oh man, I sure am happy that didn't happen. Morata continues to impress, continues to score goals, continues to prove why Allegri switching from one Spaniard last month to another was the right choice. This is a young player with tons of potential starting to truly realize it. That, my friends, can be a wonderful thing.

Watching this Morata-Tévez partnership develop has been fun. They both track back on defense, they compliment each other so well. And, as proven against Borussia Dortmund, they're setting up each other and causing all kinds of trouble in the final third.

Remember when people said Tévez couldn't get the job done in Europe? How's that working out?

There are few Juventus-related things that bring me so much joy as hearing the aftermath of a Juventus goal whenever they're playing a big game at Juventus Stadium. It's not just loud, it's defining.

You know who was pretty reliable following Dortmund's goal? Giorgio Chiellini. A lot like the team, he could have crumbled. Instead, he was solid in the second half as Juventus defended their 2-1 lead.

Tonight was proof that Juventus can survive in the Champions League without Andrea Pirlo being a focal point in the team. A big reason for that was how Roberto Pereyra played after replacing Pirlo late in the first half. He's one of the few players that is able to dribble at players

One of my biggest worries was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the jetpacks he has attached to his heels kicking it into full gear as he goes on a counterattack. For the most part, Dortmund's speed demon was pretty quiet against Juventus. That's in part because Patrice Evra was consistent as all hell at left back, but also because Jürgen Klopp decided, for some reason, to start Ciro Immobile and push Aubameyang out wide.

When Marco Reus ran at what looks like 80 percent or so, he was still able to blow past Juventus defenders. As scary as Aubameyang's speed is, Reus' acceleration is a close second.

If Juve were able to put away even one of their handful of second-half chances, going to Germany with a two-goal advantage would have me sitting so much more comfortably.

Just a reminder for everybody: Juventus is pretty good at home.

Squawka Football ✔ @Squawka
Juventus' home form in all competitions:

WWDWWDWWWDWWWWWWWWWWWWDWWWWDWWWWWWWWWWDDDWWWWWW

Goals: 110
Conceded: 28

Yeah, that's pretty good.

Anybody ready for Roma on Monday night? I like knowing that Juventus is heading into a big game after playing well the game before. That just so happened to be another big game.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Chiellini: I Was Praying For Reus To Miss

Feb 24, 2014

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini was praying for Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus to fail to convert the chance that led to the German outfit’s goal against the Bianconeri on Tuesday night.

The Italian international’s faulty slide tackle allowed Reus to go through on goal and equalise for the Germans having gone 1-0 down, but Juve were able to redeem themselves and emerged victorious by a score of 2-1, thus giving them the advantage heading into the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

“The error for the Dortmund goal? It happens, but the problem is that there was only [Gianluigi] Buffon left and he couldn’t do anything,” he told Sky Sport.

“I was praying for Reus to miss but unfortunately he scored, however we reacted well.

“At half-time our mentality didn’t change, we knew that Dortmund are a side that exploit space really well.

“They were dangerous at the start of the second half, but we kept compact and we even created many opportunities.

“We were able to win, but it’s a tight result.”

Juve are set to travel to Germany to face Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park in the second leg of the tie on March 18.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Juventus open lead over Dortmund
in tactical Champions League battle

Feb 25, 2014

A thrilling match between two impressive sides, both Jurgen Klopp and Massimiliano Allegri approached the game with interesting and intelligent strategies. It was night where attacking the defensive weaknesses of the opponent was the priority and the result was a beautiful tactical encounter.

Juventus love nothing more than to play the ball out from the back, controlling the tempo and looking for the vertical passes forward until they reach the final third. The likes of Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba maintain possession while Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio shield the back-line. The only way Dortmund could win back the ball was by interrupting the less technical players -- the Bianconeri centre-backs. Singling them out, they eventually achieved what they wanted, provoking the Giorgio Chiellini slip that led to the equaliser.

When in possession, Dortmund worked through the flanks, their full-backs pushing high, while Juve's plan to congest the midfield failed on occasion. Marco Reus' equaliser deflated the Bianconeri and they lost confidence while Pogba and Vidal did little to ease the pressure. Thus İlkay Gündoğan was allowed plenty of time and space to dictate play as his teammates pressed and harried, pushing in numbers to intercept passes and overwhelm the opponent. The fans were frustrated, wondering why the Old Lady was being dominated and not pressing as efficiently to win back possession and secure the back-line.

However, Die Schwarzgelben's attacking game was simply not at the level we have seen in previous years. No strategy, no cutting edge and visibly lacking a bull of a striker who would make the most of the intelligence around him. Juventus and their coach seemed prepared.

Allegri was aware of his opponent's offensive flaws and focused on attacking their defensive weaknesses. For despite the drop in confidence, the lack of intensity and the sporadic nonchalance of his midfielders, tactics allowed the Old Lady two goals in the first half. Why? Because the coach realised that BVB's compact style of play meant that if they wanted to push forward, they would be forced to take risks at the back. Those risks would be punished by his leading man on the night, Alvaro Morata.

Juventus, at times, overcame the tough pressing game intelligently, sending quick balls through the middle to allow Carlos Tevez to revel in the space and Morata to show off his pace and skills. Swallow pressure, then attack, that was the Bianconeri strategy.

This season, Borussia Dortmund have been forced to possess the ball more often than they have in the past four seasons in the German Bundesliga. Many have pointed out that their inability to show off their perfect reactive game and the lack of a true marksman up top are some of the key reasons behind their domestic collapse this term. As such, why not give them the ball and see what their front-line can do?

Many believe that a giant like Juve should always look to dominate matches and play a proactive style of play, especially at home and that is precisely why they have been hindered in this competition in recent years. A positive result, however it is achieved, is all that matters and the preconceived notion that some teams should be too proud to play a reactive game is damaging for a side still finding its feet in this competition.

It was time for the Bianconeri to realise their limitations and play with their heads and not their hearts, embracing their faults and finding ways to show off their strengths. If Giorgio Chiellini didn't slip, it would have been a perfect night. Then again, Klopp always knew a mistake could be provoked and that's why his strategy also resulted in an important away goal. It's all about the tactics.

Sadly, as one has come to expect from Juventus, they missed several chances to extend their lead to make life that much easier for themselves in the away fixture. Compact and determined, the Bianconeri were barely disturbed by their opponents, who had eased off in the second half. Roberto Pereyra impressed with his bursts forward even if his finishing nearly killed hopeful onlookers, while Claudio Marchisio deserves bountiful praise for his work ethic and tactical versatility.

Leonardo Bonucci proved monstrous at the back and almost punished BVB's poor defending from set-pieces, but one still cannot help but wonder why Pogba isn't delighting in these matches. He produced certain moments of magic, such as his lovely assist for Juve's second goal but his impact was infrequent. These are the games he needs to show fight and greater determination, using his strength and technique to get to the balls quicker and provide the team with his skills in both phases of the game. Thankfully he wasn't given the yellow card he so richly deserved, which means he will be given another opportunity to demonstrate his importance to the side at Westfalenstadion.

It's still all to play for at this point, but Dortmund's defensive inadequacies should give Juve hope they can score in the return leg.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Juventus 2-1 Borussia Dortmund: Carlos Tévez,
Álvaro Morata give Juve slender lead in close-fought tie

Bianconeri recover from Giorgio Chiellini's error to take
narrow advantage to Signal Iduna Park in two weeks’ time.

Feb 25, 2014

Well, that was intense, wasn't it?

Borussia Dortmund were pretty much what we expected — quick, skillful, aggressive (a little too aggressive for my liking) and at times defensively shaky. For Juventus, Max Allegri took an unfamiliar approach — but not unexpected — by mainly ceding possession to Dortmund, giving them little space and trying to hit them on quick counter attacks. This was the first time in this season's Champions League that we've had less possession than our opponents.

"We prepared this tactic, to invite Borussia forward, clog the midfield and therefore create spaces behind them. At this level you can't try to dominate your opponents, so we aimed to make the most of their defensive weaknesses" said Allegri after the game. It worked pretty well, as apart from the goal — which came as a result of an unforced error — Dortmund did not have many dangerous opportunities. This was in part helped by Jürgen Klopp's strange decision to play their in-form striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out wide on the right; it's fair to say that Ciro Immobile was much less of a threat up front.

Two complaints I have from this game. Firstly, Juve again wasted too many chances to get a third or even fourth goal. The most upsetting of these was Roberto Pereyra's in the 85th minute. Great pass first by Claudio Marchisio to Man of the Match Álvaro Morata, who then played the Vidal wannabe through, only for him to scuff his shot (despite Dortmund keeper Roman Wiedenfeller being poorly positioned). When, oh when, are we going to improve in this area?

Secondly, why were Juve trying to play the ball out from defence and midfield so often, given how aggressively Dortmund were pressing us? Juventus gave the ball away too many times like that. As even Michael Cox (of Zonalmarking.net) noted, Allegri's men were much more effective when either quickly playing out of or bypassing the midfield all together - as was the case on both of our goals.

One other thing; While the game was not dirty by any means, I did feel like the referee let Dortmund get away with a lot of their aggressive play at times. Juve definitely should have had more fouls.

I hope the Juventus players have learned from the few mistakes they made Tuesday night, and work towards not repeating these. The second leg is going to be extremely difficult, and Signal Iduna will give Dortmund a big lift. I'm still only 50 percent confident that Juve can knock out Dortmund (as there's more to winning than just having great players). But in the first leg, Juve showed that they can step it up against the top teams in Europe. In two weeks, they'll have the opportunity to show that they belong on this stage by knocking one of them out.


MATCH SUMMARY

Dortmund made a bright start to this game, with some quick passes in midfield leading to Immobile shooting over from just outside the box. Dortmund had the best of the early exchanges, but Juventus took the lead in the 13th minute with a great counter attack. Morata and Carlos Tévez exchanged passes on the half-line before the young Spaniard sprinted down the left on Dortmund's goal, cut back and had what seemed a weak shot/cross. However, Wiedenfeller spilled this right into the path of Tevez for El Apache to tap into an open net. A brilliant start for Juve!

Alas, our dream start soon turned sour. Under no pressure, Chiellini goes to control a ball and inexplicably slips and presents Marco Reus with a one-on-one opportunity and the German international coolly sent Buffon the wrong way to equalize for Dortmund. It was the all-important away goal that we desperately wanted to avoid conceding, and it was extremely disappointing to concede via an unforced error.

Dortmund continued to press and were definitely on top after this and Juve looked to be struggling to contain them, but they still had their chances. On 21 minutes, Juve created a half chance with Tévez hooking a cross back from the goal line for Morata, who headed wide from around the penalty spot. A few minutes later, Juve had another chance, this time from an Andrea Pirlo free kick which met Leonardo Bonucci at the far post for him to head high and wide. A late challenge on Dortmund right back Lukasz Piszczek by Paul Pogba resulted in the former being substituted for Matthias Ginter.

Five minutes later, Juventus were forced into a change of their own, with Pirlo having to come off with a calf injury. Pereyra was his replacement. This did not turn out to be a detrimental loss, as a further five minutes after that, Juve retook the lead. A long pass from the back by Bonucci found Tevez, who spread the ball out wide for Pogba, who in turn played a one-time pass into the middle for the wide open Morata to side foot into the bottom corner. A goal and an assist for Juve's most in-form player at the moment.

The first chance of the second half fell to Dortmund and Immobile; after Juve failed to clear their lines, the ex-Juve man spun but fired straight at Buffon. On 61 minutes, quick passing and movement up front by Juve led to a Lichtsteiner cross for Morata to flick on, which eventually fell for Tevez who lashed over from 12 yards out.

While Dortmund had the majority of the possession, Juve were still creating chances. Pogba played in Marchisio, who layed off to Tevez, who then somehow wriggled free amidst a sea of Dortmund legs to get a shot on goal which was deflected wide for a corner. Tevez then took advantage of a slip by Ginter in the Dortmund defence to unleash a strike on goal, which Wiedenfeller pushed out for a corner. Chiellini headed over on the corner. On 80 minutes, Juve failed to clear a Dortmund free kick, and Blaszczkowski whipped in a cross from the right which Hummels headed over.

The last chance of the game fell to Juve. On 86 minutes, Marchisio played in Morata who controlled and then slid a pass through to the onrushing Pereyra who got into a great position in the box but then scuffed his shot wide. It was a great chance and would have given us that much desired two goal cushion going into the second leg.


PLAYER RATINGS

Buffon: 6.5 Another solid performance by old reliable. An assured performance deserved of a clean sheet.

Lichtsteiner: 6 Performed admirably against one of the best players in Europe, with Reus overall being menacing rather than outright dangerous. Got forward well when the opportunity arose.

Bonucci: 6.5 Was back to his solid self as he has been for most of the season so far. Started the play which led to Juve's second goal, and late in the game made a key interception when Aubameyang would have been clean through.

Chiellini: 5 Still can't get over that slip. Yes, I know, these things happen, but why did it have to happen tonight? Sigh. He did very well subsequent to that however, but being solely at fault for Dortmund's goal can't get him above a 5. Hopefully he makes up for it by getting the winning goal in the second leg.

Evra: 6 Solid performance by the veteran Frenchman, who is now looking like the player who was a stalwart for Man United for so many years. Was caught out of position on a few occasions, but nothing particularly noteworthy.
Marchisio: 6.5
 Our best midfielder on the night. Made some key interceptions to win back possession and was involved in most of our chances created in the second half.

Pirlo: 5 Unfortunate that our maestro went off after 35 minutes. He played some good passes out of midfield to help alleviate pressure, but he also lost the ball a few times. Thankfully we did not miss him.

Pogba: 6 Assisted on Morata's goal and showed some flashy touches, but was not as effective as we would have liked.

Vidal: 5.5 An aggressive performance by Vidal, which resulted in a yellow card. Could maybe have had a penalty when tripped in the box late on, otherwise did not do much offensively. Lost the ball in midfield a few times as well when trying to play out from midfield.

Morata: 7 A goal and an assist, another man of the match performance by Morata. Would have had two assists if Pereyra had finished his great chance — again, how could he not score there?

Tevez: 6.5 Performed the way we would expect from Tevez. Notched up his 4th goal in this season's Champions League and was also involved in our second goal. Since Conte took over, Juve's forwards have always had chemistry. But the Tevez-Morata partnership seems to be the best we've had since then to now, as they are both so quick and tricky. Long may it continue!

 

Subs

Pereyra: 5 Did a lot of running and was generally busy, but missed the best chance to give Juve that two goal cushion we desperately hoped for by scuffing his shot wide.

Padoin: N/A Came on for Vidal late on and made no real impression.

Coman: N/A Came on to give Tevez a much needed break. Gave up a chance to Dortmund by taking too long on the ball, but thankfully nothing came of it.


Coach

Allegri: 6.5 Set up the team pretty much as expected, and in my opinion, took the right approach. Can't be blame for the goal conceded which we know he really wanted to avoid. He will have his work cut out in the second leg, however.

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - BORUSSIA D.

2 - 1

Carlos Tévez (13')

Marco Reus (18')

Álvaro Morata (42')

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Morata: Juve will go to Dortmund
all guns blazing

The ex-Real Madrid striker scored the winner as Massimiliano Allegri's men
won the first leg but he is aware how tough it will be to reach the last eight.

Feb 25, 2014

Alvaro Morata has promised that Juventus will go to Borussia Dortmund with all guns blazing after they edged a 2-1 triumph in the home leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday.

After Carlos Tevez's opener had been cancelled out by Marco Reus, the Spanish forward put the Scudetto holders back into the lead in Turin and ensured they have a narrow advantage ahead of next month's second leg.

Morata, who joined Juve from Real Madrid last summer, is under no illusions about how tough it will be for the Bianconeri at Signal Iduna Park but insists they will throw everything they have at Jurgen Klopp's side.

"I think we played well, but it was very difficult," he told Sky Sport. "Borussia Dortmund might not have be doing well in the Bundesliga, but we all know they are strong in the Champions League.

"The second leg will be extremely difficult in a fervid stadium, but Juve will go there with everything we’ve got. Tonight we won and I am happy."

Morata's strike at the Juventus Stadium against Dortmund was his eighth of the season for Massimiliano Allegri's men.

The 22-year-old has scored in his last three starts for Juve, who can go 12 points clear in Serie A with a victory over second-placed Roma on Monday.