Thirteen Minutes To Victory. Lokomotiv Give In To Juventus After Two Late Goals
Lokomotiv had been extremely understaffed but still tried to keep an international formation. Idowu filled in on the left flank, Eder spearheaded attack.
It took Juventus no time to start testing our defensive strength. Dybala and Ronaldo both had a go but each time it was Corluka who cut them short. In the middle of the first half Cristiano decided to fix the opposition and had four great chances in mere six minutes. Good for us around 2,000 of our supporters came all the way from Russia to stand behind the team with its fierce backing. Thus far, it’s been the most numerous international travel for the Red-Green crowd.
In the 30th minute, Allianz Stadium hushed. Guilherme cleared deep into the pitch, Miranchuk won an aerial battle in midfield, foxed an opposition player on his way to the area and passed to Joao Mario. Szczecny saved the Portuguese’s attempt but Alexey’s follow-up left him no chance.
After the break, Lokomotiv were defending the score very well until individual mistakes made this by all other means effective tactics fail. The Railroaders had been covering each other and running away on counters until Dybala first had a couple of seconds to prepare an effective curved blast at the goal on 77 minutes, and then doubled the lead two minutes later.
After the second goal Juventus felt inspired and started creating more chances while Lokomotiv had no power to run forward. In two weeks, the teams will meet again at Cherkizovo.
Champions League. Group Stage. Group D. Round 3
Juventus – Lokomotiv - 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: Al. Miranchuk, 30 (0:1). Dybala, 77 (1:1). Dybala, 79 (2:1).
Juventus: Szczesny, de Ligt, Pjanic, Khedira (Higuain, 47), Ronaldo, Dybala (Bernardeschi, 81), Alex Sandro, Matuidi (Rabio, 64), Cuadrado, Bonucci, Bentancur
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Hoewedes, Corluka, Murilo, Idowu, Ignatyev, Barinov, Krychowiak (Kolomeytsev, 83), Joao Mario, Al. Miranchuk, Eder
Bookings: Matuidi, 18. Cuadrado, 68. Krychowiak, 71. Barinov, 90
Referee: Tasos Sidiropoulos (Greece)
October 22, 2019. Turin, Allianz Stadium
