Manchester United 2-1 Juventus: 5 Talking Points & Analysis

#3 Juventus wasteful on either side of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal

The joy of Ronaldo's goal didn't last long

Manchester United’s backline wasn’t particularly tested or troubled for a consistent stretch of time throughout the course of the game. There were spells of incessant pressure by Juventus but United seemed to find out a way from these situations on every occasion.

Luckily for the visitors, the Serie A Champions did not capitalize well on their set-piece opportunities either. Pjanic’s corners failed to clear the first man or simply did not have the required depth in them to result into an assist.

Though Paulo Dybala took better corner kicks later in the game, there was an innate calm in United’s box as each player stuck to their role and did not create a panicky situation like they often do. Sami Khedira hit the post as he was afforded too much space in the first half. The German international should definitely have done better.

Similarly, Pjanic and Juan Cuadrado were unable to hit the target from relatively easier chances that they were presented with on either side of Ronaldo’s goal. Well, a perfect long ball from Leonardo Bonnucci released Ronaldo who timed his run to perfection, accordingly avoiding the offside trap and unleashed a powerful volley which left David de Gea with no chance to save the shot.

Ronaldo’s shot just oozed class, finesse and finishing prowess of the highest order as he left a mark in the game with an astutely created goal from their veteran Italian defender.

In his run towards the goal, Ronaldo even managed to get one above Lindelof who was having a near-perfect match until then.

The Swede couldn’t trace the Portuguese international down and allowed him space and time to exploit and notch one above his former team. However, Khedira, Pjanic and Cuadrado’s missed chances would rue Juventus who were unable to breach De Gea and add more goals to the tally.