Manchester United 0-1 Juventus
Juventus stretched their lead at the top of Champions League Group H after a calm and clinical display saw the Bianconeri beat Manchester United thanks to a Paulo Dybala goal.
Max Allegri’s team was in control throughout, and Dybala’s first-half strike was enough to secure the three points, though Paul Pogba did give the Old Lady a brief fright after hitting the post-mid-way through the second half.
There was only one name on the lips of fans streaming into the Theatre of Dreams tonight, the great Cristiano Ronaldo; he received the sort of ovation reserved only for the Manchester United legends. He was always going to be the big Champions League tonight, and he was at the centre of much of Juventus’ dominance.
Take a look at the Champions League and, on this evidence, keep your eye on the Bianconeri.
Highlights of the game
Mario Mandzukic was ruled out with an ankle injury, and that made room for Paulo Dybala in the Juventus attack. He already had three Champions League goals and made it four on 18 minutes. Ronaldo was involved, of course, whipping in a cross which Chris Smalling failed to deal with at the near post, and Dybala was on hand to stab the ball home.
The goal had been coming and Juventus continued to dominate, coming close to making it 2-0 when David de Gea saved a fierce shot from Joao Cancelo.
Anthony Martial scored a brace as Manchester United returned to form with a fine performance to earn a point at Stamford Bridge, and he made a start alongside Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku up front. But the three of them saw little of the ball in the opening half, and Martial lost control when he did have a chance to attack as the ball ran out of play.
The Old Lady’s front line was rather more threatening, and De Gea was again called on to make a double save, first from a Ronaldo free-kick and then from Blaise Matuidi on the follow-up. Dybala came close with a curling shot which flew narrowly wide.
The Bianconeri’s defensive rock, Leonardo Bonucci, turned down a move to Old Trafford to return to Juventus in the summer, and with 70 per cent possession and ten shots to one in the first half, I’d say he made the right decision. At the start of the second half, he showed United just what they are missing when he put in a sublime tackle to stop Martial, just as the striker was about to shoot.
Then it fell to De Gea to keep the Red Devils in the game, stretching to tip over an effort from Ronaldo which was destined for the top corner.
The hosts were still in the hunt and saw a little more of the ball as the game progressed, but Juventus continued to look the more inventive up front and more comfortable in possession. And then, completely against the run of play, United were almost level. Paul Pogba controlled brilliantly on the edge of the box and curled a shot off the inside of the post, which then hit Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny before bouncing to safety.
But that was the only scare for Juve, and Bonucci came closest to adding a goal with a blistering shot which flew just over.
Key Statistics
This was a big game for SBOBET Champions League fans, and it didn’t disappoint the Italian corner of Old Trafford. The Bianconeri were a class above their hosts, with 14 shots to six, and using the ball well with 89 per cent pass accuracy compared with the Red Devils’ 81 per cent.
Juventus only lost two of their last 24 Champions League group games and have seven wins in eight, in all competitions; Meanwhile, Manchester United have won just two in the last eight.
The Old Lady nudged ahead in the match-ups between the two sides at six to five, and Paulo Dybala has now scored five goals in his last four Champions League games.
What’s next?
A 1-1 draw between Young Boys and Valencia means the Red Devils stay second in Group H while the Bianconeri go five points clear at the top.
It’s back to Premier league pressures for Manchester United with a tricky test at home to Everton on Sunday. Marco Silva’s side is packed with attacking talents, such as Theo Walcott and Gylfi Sigurdsson, and has won its last three league games to move ahead of the Red Devils to eighth place.
Juventus travel to Empoli to take on the 18th-placed club with the aim of getting the winning habit back after dropping their first Serie A points to Genoa last week.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
