14 September 2022
Benfica came from behind to collect three Champions League points at the Allianz Stadium. Arek Milik had given the Bianconeri a flying start with a goal inside the opening five minutes. However, a penalty on the stroke of half time converted by Joao Mario levelled the score before David Neves completed the turnaround 10 minutes into the second half. Moise Kean struck the post, Dušan Vlahović had a goal disallowed for offside and Bremer lashed a shot over the bar as Juve pushed for an equaliser that did not arrive.
AREK OFF TO A FLYER
Juventus came out of the blocks in determined fashion and took an early lead. A Leandro Paredes free-kick was met by Milik, who glanced his header into the far corner. Four minutes on the clock and Juve were in front. Not satisfied, the Bianconeri pushed on in search of a second. Filip Kostić saw his close-range volley deflected wide, while Fabio Miretti delivered a dangerous cross into the Benfica penalty area, which Milik was inches away from knocking home.
However, after all the early pressure, the scoreline remained just 1-0 as the visitors came more into the match.
JOAO MARIO FROM THE SPOT
The first scare in the Juve goal came on 27' when a Gonçalo Ramos header was stopped on his line by Mattia Perin. The same two players were involved again nine minutes later the striker's low drive was well held. The Juve keeper had his post to thank, however, with five minutes of the first half remaining when Rafa Silva was given time to shoot from the edge of the area. In the final minutes of the first half the equaliser did arrive. The referee consulted VAR after Fabio Miretti had made contact with Ramos at the bye-line. From the penalty kick, João Mario shot high past Perin.
COMEBACK COMPLETE
Juve appeared to have regained their shape after the interval. The first chance of the second half fell to Milik, whose deflected shot was saved by Odisseas Vlachodimos. Benfica responded and took the lead on 55'. Neres finished off the move that had seen Perin block Rafa Silva's shot. The Juve fans tried to rally their side, but Benfica continued to dominate possession.
SUPER PERIN!
Perin made three saves in quick succession, once to deny Rafa Silva, and twice against Neres. Three saves that kept Juve still in contention.
CHANCES SLIP AWAY
Moise Kean came off the bench and almost made an immediate impact, but his effort was deflected off the far post. The ball was in the Benfica net when Vlahović tapped home a De Sciglio cross, but the full-back was in an offside position as he played the across the face of goal. The final chance fell to Bremer, who from the edge of the six-yard box lashed his shot over the bar.
It wasn't to be as Benfica held on for a 2-1 win.
JUVENTUS 1-2 BENFICA (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: 4’ Milik (J), 43’ pen. João Mario (B), 55’ Neres (B).
Juventus: Perin; Bremer, Bonucci, Danilo; Cuadrado (58’ De Sciglio), McKennie, Paredes, Miretti (58’ Di Maria), Kostic (70’ Kean); Milik (70’ Fagioli), Vlahovic.
Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Garofani, Gatti, Rugani, Soulé, Barbieri.
Coach: Allegri.
Benfica: Vlachodimos; Bah, António Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Florentino Luís, Fernandez (81’ Aursnes); Neres (81’ Chiquinho), Rafa Silva (86’ Gonçalves), João Mario (86’ Draxler); Gonçalo Ramos (82’ Musa).
Subs not used: Leite, Gilberto, Rodrigo Pinho, Ristić, Brooks, Henrique Araújo, Paulo Bernardo.
Coach: Schmidt.
Referee: Zwayer
Assistants: Lupp, Achmüller
Fourth official: Jablonski.
VAR: Dankert, Fritz.
Bookings: 26’ Bah, 42’ Miretti, 45’ João Mario, 45’ Perin, 73’ Kean, 86’ Florentino
