Dusan Vlahovic had a dream Champions League debut, scoring within 32 seconds, but Adrien Rabiot’s error allowed Daniel Parejo to equalise for Villarreal, as the Round of 16 remains in the balance.
At least there is one bonus for Juve, which is that after two years in a row of crashing out at this stage on away goals, that rule no longer applies.
The Bianconeri were without Paulo Dybala, Federico Chiesa, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele Rugani and Federico Chiesa, while Leonardo Bonucci and Luca Pellegrini were only fit for the bench. The Yellow Submarine missed Paco Alcacer, Gerard Moreno, Francis Coquelin and Ruben Peña.
It took precisely 32 seconds for Vlahovic to open his account on his full Champions League debut. Danilo intercepted a ball in midfield and floated a pass, the Serbian chested it down with his back to goal between two defenders, in one movement spinning to place the precise angled drive into the far bottom corner from 12 yards.
Villarreal really should’ve equalised on 13 minutes, Giovani Lo Celso slipping at the crucial moment and scuffing the ball onto the upright from 10 yards.
Wojciech Szczesny also made a desperate reaction save on the cheeky Arnaut Danjuma back-heel flick that took a deflection off Danilo.
Alvaro Morata fired over from a promising position and Weston McKennie’s finish was charged down after a Mattia De Sciglio assist, while Matthijs de Ligt intercepted a dangerous Lo Celso cross-shot in the six-yard box.
Bonucci came on for the second half and Morata volleyed McKennie’s cross just wide, but Villarreal equalised when Adrien Rabiot was caught ball-watching and did not follow Dani Parejo, allowed to volley in Capoue’s floated ball over the top from 12 yards relatively undisturbed. Matthijs de Ligt was furious with his teammate.
Rabiot was fortunate to avoid VAR and a possible red card moments later, as he scraped his studs down Samu Chukwueze’s knee and only received a booking.
McKennie went off after an awkward fall and seemed to sprain his ankle, then Vlahovic almost scored out of nowhere with another quick spin and shot, Sebastian Rulli getting one strong hand down to it.
Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Vlahovic 1 (J), Parejo 66 (V)