Juventus fought back valiantly from 2 goals down to force visitors Bayern Munich into a share of the spoils with a 2-2 draw and keep the tie finely poised heading into the second leg in three week’s time.
Strikes each from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben looked set to put Pep Guardiola’s side virtually into the next round, but the Bianconeri made a late comeback into the game as goals from Paulo Dybala and Stefano Sturaro pegged the Bavarians back.
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The return at the Allianz Arena on March 16 would a game to watch out for the tie is now widen open. Let’s see how the players from both sides performed last night.
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 7
The veteran custodian made a few crucial saves in the game that prevented a greater damage to Juventus and also cut a composed figure at the back. However, Buffon was rendered helpless in each of the Bayern goals.
Stefan Lichsteiner - 6.5
The Swiss international was unable to contribute much in the attack as he was kept busy at the back by the pace and trickey of Douglas Costa.
Andrea Barzagli – 6.5
Juventus left-back Andrea Barzagli could do nothing to stop Arjen Robben from scoring the second goal and was harrowed by the Dutchman on the night with his darting runs.
Patrice Evra – 6.5
The Frenchman too had his hands full at the back by Robben and was also overlapped by Philipp Lahm in the build-up to the second goal. Evra, nonetheless, grew into the game after the break.
Leonardo Bonucci - 7.5
Arguably the best man in the Juve defence, Bonucci put on a great shift at the back for the hosts as the centre-back cleared the dangers during waves of Bayern’s attacks and remained calm and composed even under pressure.
Sami Khedira – 6
The German was disappointing in midfield as he failed to obstruct Bayern’s passes from the centre and was completely run over by the visiting midfield. Khedira was eventually put out of his misery after getting substituted 20 minutes from time.
Claudio Marchisio – 7
The calf problem was the only blot on an otherwise pristine copybook that Marchisio maintained for the evening as he made several crucial interceptions and also provided a defensive shield to the backline.
Paul Pogba – 7.5
Pogba couldn't be among the goals but yet had a huge say in the game for Juve as he showed tremendous work-rate both on and off the ball and delivered some excellent crosses into the box.
Juan Cuadrado – 7
The Colombian was seen more in the defence than in the attack, as he came to the support of Lichsteiner time and again, which thereby limited his attacking prowess.
Mario Mandzukic – 7.5
The ex-Bayern striker played an excellent through-ball for Dybala to halve the deficit and also made a fine pass out wide in the build-up to Juve’s equaliser.
Paulo Dybala – 8
Dybala was the only shining light for the hosts in a sloppy first half show and laid a composed finish past Manuel Neuer to ignite the comeback.
Substitutes
Hernanes – 8
Came into the game late, but Hernanes made an immediate impact in the match as his arrival bolstered the midfield. By closing down the gaps and winning the ball at regular intervals, Hernanes was an upgrade to the desolate Khedira.
Stefano Sturaro – 7.5
The saviour for Bianconeri, Sturaro pulled things level for the hosts with a searing shot into the roof of the net and also strained every sinew in search of the unlikely winner.
Alvaro Morata – 7.5
Morata came off the bench to set up Sturaro with an impeccable headed pass.
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 7.5
The German shot-stopper had little to do for a large part of the game, but could do nothing when Juventus pumped in the goals. Yet, Neuer was impressive in front of the net.
David Alaba - 7.5
Alaba was central to all the good things at the back for the visitors and was also involved heavily in the attack.
Philipp Lahm – 7.5
The Bayern skipper had excellent vision of the game and got into dangerous positions to create scoring opportunities for his side.
Joshua Kimmich – 5.5
Very evidently the lowest light of the visitors, Kimmich made a costly blunder in the defence that led to Juve's build-up to the opener and was also caught napping by Sturaro for the second goal.
Juan Bernat – 7.5
Bernat showed the better side of his with an impressive performance down the left. He closed the gaps from the left flank and also did his best to frustrate Cuadrado.
Douglas Costa – 8
The dynamic Brazilian was terrific down the left, bombing forward at will and putting up some crosses into the area. Costa also brilliantly set-up Muller for the opener.
Thiago Alcantara – 8
Alcantara pulled the strings in the midfield with great aplomb and also recycled the ball for the visitors, time to time.
Arjen Robben - 8
The burly winger was one of the better players going forward and doubled Bayern's lead with a stupendous effort from the left. Not to mention his long range pass on top the right for Costa in the build-up to Muller’s opening goal.
Arturo Vidal - 8
The Chilean had a memorable homecoming. Spraying the ball up wide and nipping Juve's attack on the counter, Vidal was stepped up to the plate against his former colleagues.
Thomas Muller – 8
The Bayern forward opened the scoring with a neat finish just before the break and also made some excellent off-the-ball movements.
Robert Lewandowski – 7.5
The Polish talisman couldn’t get on the scoresheet, but that still did not discourage him from making vital contributions in the attack. Lewa picked out Robben for Bayern's second and also helped his side in the defence by winning the ball back.
Substitutes
Mehdi Benatia – 7.5
The Moroccan made the most of his towering stature as he was a threat in the air and also made some crucial interventions after coming on.
Franck Ribery – 7
Ribery proved a great threat from the flank even in the limited time given to him and made some fine deliveries into the area.
