ANALYSIS: HOW 10 MAN PORTO KNOCKED OUT JUVENTUS AND SHOCKED THE FOOTBALLING WORLD

Featured Image Credit: The Guardian

After an embarrassing 2-1 defeat in the first leg, Juventus needed a big performance in Turin to turn their fortunes around.

The Bianconeri dominated the game from kick off, but there were warning signs early on of Porto’s threat.

Sergio Conceicao’s side were set up to play on the break, and it was this strategy which got them a penalty in the 18th minute, which was then coolly slotted away by Sergio Oliveira.

Not many will have heard of Oliveira before the game, but they certainly know who he is now.

The Portuguese has been excellent in the Primera Liga this year, with 14 goal involvements in 21 league games.

But his performance against Juventus will go down as the best performance of his career yet.

After Porto scored Juventus tried furiously to score before the break, but to no avail.

Their persistence paid off after half time, when Federico Chiesa slotted the ball into the top corner from a Ronaldo lay-off.

Andrea Pirlo’s side now had the momentum and must have thought the tie was over when Mehdi Taremi was sent off in the 53rd minute for Porto after receiving a second yellow card for stupid behaviour.

Porto though dug in, with Pepe putting in a stunning performance at the back. His 18 clearances were by far the most of any defender on the pitch.

It was the 38-year-old who managed to put off Chiesa in the 55th minute to stop the Italian putting the ball into an open net, his savviness and knowledge proving to be priceless to the Portuguese side.

Despite their best-efforts Porto conceded again, this time from a Chiesa header in the 62nd minuet after a brilliant cross from Juan Cuadrado, bringing the tie level on aggerate.

The Bianconeri failed to get another goal before 90 minutes though, sending the tie into extra time.

Juventus’s dominance continued, with Porto having little in terms of chances until they won a free kick in the 114th minute.

Oliveira brilliantly struck the ball low under the Juventus wall and into the bottom corner, putting Porto ahead on away goals. Juventus now needed two goals to send them through.

Adrien Rabiot scored a header from a corner to give Pirlo’s side some hope, but it was too little too late.

Analysis

For Juventus going out in the round of 16 is unacceptable and puts further pressure on Andrea Pirlo.

His side sit third in Serie A, 10 points off leaders Inter Milan, with reports in Italy suggesting the Italian could lose his job before the end of the season.

The Juventus board do not take failure lightly, they even sacked Maurizio Sarri last season even though he won the Italian title, because of his sides lack of progress in Europe.

For Porto the tie will go down as one of their best performances of recent years, and will bring some much needed joy to the fanbase.

The Portuguese side currently sit just third in the Primera Liga, and haven’t won the title since 2018.

This victory will give the fans some hope that they can compete for trophies soon, though this years Champions league will surely be beyond them.

One thing is for sure though, after putting in the most courageous Champions League performance of the season, nobody will want them in the next round.