14 March 2022
The return leg of the Champions League Round of 16, with Juventus and Villareal tied 1-1 after the opening 90 minutes, looms large on the horizon.
Dusan Vlahovic struck just 32 seconds after kick-off in the first leg at the Estadio de la Ceramica, the fastest ever goal by a player on his debut as a starter in the Champions League. By taking the shortest time to score his first goal in Europe’s premier tournament for Juventus, considering both the Champions League and its predecessor, the European Cup, DV7 claimed his place beside some vaunted company in Bianconeri history.
1958-59: OMAR SIVORI
On 24 September 1958, Juventus took to the stage of the European Cup for the first time. And the first goal could only be scored by a champion of the pedigree of Omar Sivori, who required just two minutes for his tried and trusted left foot to do the business against Austrian outfit Wiener Sk.
2012-13: FABIO QUAGLIARELLA
Fabio Quagliarella took 5 minutes from coming on to celebrating his debut Champions League goal. His finish completed a Bianconeri comeback against the then-defending European champions Chelsea. Despite the impressive 2-2 result at Stamford Bridge, there was a tinge of disappointment due to Quagliarella smashing a shot against the crossbar minutes after having equalised.
1995-96: ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO
Another historic and memorable evening was when Juventus played their first match in the recently unveiled Champions League. In Dortmund the start was shocking, after just 37 seconds former Bianconeri midfielder Andrea Möller gave the Germans the lead. But the Bianconeri displayed the spirit that would eventually lead them to go on and win the tournament. And after Michele Padovano - also on his debut - pulled the Lady level, it was the turn of Alex Del Piero to take centre stage. 37 minutes into his first appearance, Alex invented one of those goals that would become his trademark and amaze Europe for years to come.
1982-83: MICHEL PLATINI
The highest of expectations surrounded Michel Platini, who had arrived to bolster the Bianconeri’s bid to win the Champions Cup in 1982-83. For his European debut in the black and white stripes, Juventus travelled to Denmark to take on Hvidovre. The Lady strode to a 4-1 success with the number 10 putting his name on the scoresheet one minute from the half-time whistle, earning himself an editorial from Vladimiro Caminiti in Hurrà Juventus which captured the collective admiration for Le Roi.
2015-16: MARIO MANDZUKIC
The Champions League had already become his natural habitat when with Bayern Munich he scored in the 2013 final. Three seasons later, Mario Mandzukic made his European debut with Juve at Manchester City. A comeback victory was launched by the Croatian forward on 70 minutes when he finished off a move that was a masterpiece in construction and implementation.
