DYBALA DOUBLE RESCUES JUVENTUS AGAINST LOKOMOTIV
TURIN, Italy: Maurizio Sarri praised Juventus for not losing their heads as Paulo Dybala’s quick- fire second- half double rescued a come- from- behind 2- 1 win over Lokomotiv Moscow in their Champions League Group D clash in Turin on Tuesday ( Wednesday in Manila).
The Italian champions had trailed the Russians with 13 minutes to go in the Allianz Stadium after Aleksei Miranchuk had put the visitors ahead after half an hour.
But Dybala pulled the hosts level on 77 minutes and added a second two minutes later to keep Juventus on course in Group D with seven points after three games.
Sarri’s side had drawn with Atletico Madrid and beaten Bayer Leverkusen 3- 0 in the last two games.
Atletico also have seven points, after beating Leverkusen 1- 0 in Spain on Tuesday, with Lokomotiv third with three points.
“It became a difficult match when we conceded this goal,” said former Chelsea boss Sarri.
“But we did well not to lose our heads. We knew we could get back into the match.
“We had 25 shots on goal, we established a record for possession, so we played well.
“It wasn’t an exceptional day, we play every three days, so a less brilliant day.”
Cristiano Ronaldo missed the chance for another record of scoring against a 34th different Champions League club.
The Portuguese star drew a blank in Turin, firing over from a Juan Cuadrado cross early as, despite dominating possession, Juventus struggled to break down the Russians.
Lokomotiv broke through with their first clear chance.
Miranchuk shrugged off Leonardo Bonucci and the Juventus defense to find on- loan Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario whose effort was cleared by Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny into the path of the Russian forward who finished.
“It was a tough game,” said Miranchuk.
“We got tired closer to the end and lost focus. Juve are a dangerous team and punished us for that.”