JUVE FIGHT BACK TO THWART PEP
NOT the first and it won’t be the last, but here was a tantalising glimpse of what might be from Manchester City’s next manager. Thrillingly fluent football with an air of danger performed by confident attacking players, two away goals and a good sniff of the last eight of the Champions League — despite the disappearance of a two-goal lead. Pep Guardiola could yet finish his red period with a flourish but three years in Munich will be defined by success in this competition. When they raise their frothy Bavarian ales in May will it be to bid good riddance to the one-man-brand who never bought into their ways? Or to salute the sharp-dressed Calatan who delivered a sixth European title? Bayern were irresistible for an hour in Turin, storming into a two-goal lead against a team who rolled into the tie on the back of 13 wins and a draw. Thomas Muller pounced before half-time and Arjen Robben added the second before the Italian champions summoned a stirring if belated response against Bayern’s makeshift defence. Paulo Dybala hauled the first one back and substitute Stefano Sturaro levelled 14 minutes from time. Juventus charged forward in search of a late winner. Manuel Neuer saved from Leonardo Bonucci in a frantic closing phase, far removed from the cool order of Bayern’s early dominance. With an absence of fit centre-halves and a healthy fear of Juve’s aerial power, Guardiola’s tactics rested heavily on keeping the ball out of harm’s way. Bayern ought to have been ahead before they finally made the breakthrough in the 43rd minute. From somewhere near the penalty spot, Muller arrowed a low first-time shot through a crowded goalmouth after Andrea Barzagli struggled to clear. Robben made it two with a trademark goal. Cutting right to left across the penalty box, cocking his left boot, searching for a gap before unleashing a fierce drive which flashed inside the post. It seemed as if the Germans might settle it in one sitting, but Juventus did eventually respond. They were aided by a mistake by Joshua Kimmich who gave the ball to Dybala, who smashed it past Neuer. Guardiola tried to protect the 21-year-old midfielder, who has been forced to cover in central defence. ‘Joshua was perfect,’ said the Bayern boss. ‘I am satisfied. Of course a win would have been better but we were playing against last year’s finalists.’ Late changes by Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri had the desired effect: two substitutes combined for the second when a header down by Alvaro Morata was converted by Sturaro. ‘The important thing is to go to Munich convinced we can go through,’ said Allegri. ‘I’m not worried or disappointed. We have to work to improve what happened in the first half, but the second half gave us the belief we can face the other greats of Europe.’