As Juventus came within seconds of emulating Roma’s Champions League ‘remontada’, ultimately going out to a Real Madrid penalty, Football Italia rates the efforts of those in Bianconero…
Words: Ciro Di Brita
Gianluigi Buffon – 5
Made his best save of the match on Isco’s low drive, which was heading for the bottom corner, before being sent off for bustling into the referee when remonstrating about the penalty decision.
As Juventus came within seconds of emulating Roma’s Champions League ‘remontada’, ultimately going out to a Real Madrid penalty, Football Italia rates the efforts of those in Bianconero…
Words: Ciro Di Brita
Gianluigi Buffon – 5
Made his best save of the match on Isco’s low drive, which was heading for the bottom corner, before being sent off for bustling into the referee when remonstrating about the penalty decision.
Mattia Di Sciglio – 5
Was taken off after just 17 minutes with a knock.
Medhi Benatia – 6
Defended well until the last few minutes, when he lost his head and started chopping down players in midfield. Gave away the last-gasp penalty, which threw away the game.
Giorgio Chiellini – 7
Made a number of vital interceptions and blocks. Had a solid game all-round solid.
Alex Sandro – 5
A poor game from the Brazilian, who didn’t offer much going forward, while his crossing was substandard.
Miralem Pjanic – 6
Booked for pulling back Isco right under the referee’s nose early in the game and suffered from being on the yellow for the remainder of the match.
Sami Khedira – 7
Picked out Mandzukic with a perfectly-lofted cross for the opening goal and started brightly before fading due to tiredness.
Douglas Costa – 7
Some good work down right led to Juve' first goal and showed glimpses of skill but probably didn’t get involved as much as he could have.
Blaise Matuidi – 8
Had another solid game in the midfield and made some good tackles, before stepping up to pounce on Keylor Navas’ huge mistake and make it 0-3 on the night.
Gonzalo Higuain – 6
Couldn’t make the most of his early chance in front of goal and then went on to disappear from the game completely.
Mario Mandzukic – 8.5
Headed his side into the lead in the first minute and almost grabbed a second from a corner but just couldn’t turn the ball over the line. The Croat eventually did bag his brace, when he headed home Lichtsteiner’s cross.
Substitutes:
Stephan Lichtsteiner– 6
Replaced Di Sciglio early in the first half and got well acquainted with the turf at the Bernabeu by rolling around on it a couple of times. Booked for foul on Ronaldo but managed to find Mandzukic at the back post for Juve’s second goal.
Wojciech Szczesny– N/A
Came on for Higuaín right at the death to keep goal for Cristiano Ronaldo’s tie-winning penalty but couldn’t get near it.