Juan Cuadrado and Federico Bernardeschi enjoyed a goal in each half, as Juventus conquered Olympiacos to book their place in the Champions League Last 16.
See how it all happened in this game and Roma-Qarabag on the LIVEBLOG.
Juan Cuadrado and Federico Bernardeschi enjoyed a goal in each half, as Juventus conquered Olympiacos to book their place in the Champions League Last 16.
See how it all happened in this game and Roma-Qarabag on the LIVEBLOG.
The Bianconeri knew they’d qualify with a win, but even that wouldn’t be necessary if Sporting failed to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou. Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Benedikt Howedes were injured, with Miralem Pjanic, Mario Mandzukic and Federico Bernardeschi not fully fit. Diogo Figueiras was suspended and Emmanuel Emenike sidelined for the hosts, who were guaranteed bottom place in the group with one point from five games.
The deadlock was broken with the first genuine attempt in Athens, as Alex Sandro controlled a long Blaise Matuidi ball over the top and rolled it across for Cuadrado to tap in from point-blank range.
The Colombian almost got a second, but Silvio Proto rushed off his line to smother at his feet, while Gonzalo Higuain’s effort was deflected wide following good work from Paulo Dybala.
However, Wojciech Szczesny needed a great reaction save with his foot at the back post as a corner was knocked on for the header from ex-Palermo striker Uros Djurdjevic.
Szczesny was decisive again on substitute Marko Marin in the second half after Dybala lost the ball in midfield, so the disappointing Argentine was replaced by Miralem Pjanic to bolster the midfield.
It was all Olympiacos in the second half, as Juve rested on their laurels and seemed rather sluggish. Ben Nabouhane fired a free kick into the wall, but 10 minutes from time he had a sensational chance to equalise, his diving header thumping the spot where the crossbar meets the upright.
Douglas Costa drilled off target and Federico Bernardeschi came off the bench for a late scorcher that Proto palmed off the line.
It was only a warning, as Bernardeschi found the far bottom corner moments later when cutting inside from the right flank to arrow in with his left foot.
Olympiacos 0-2 Juventus
Cuadrado 16 (J), Bernardeschi 90 (J)
Olympiacos: Proto; Elabdellaoui, Engels, Nikolao, Koutris; Romao, Tachtsidis; Pardo, Odjidja (Fortounis 61), Seba (Marin 46); Djurdjevic (Ben Nabouhane 71)
Juventus: Szczesny; De Sciglio, Benatia, Barzagli (Rugani 70), Alex Sandro; Khedira, Matuidi; Cuadrado (Bernardeschi 84), Dybala (Pjanic 62), Douglas Costa; Higuain
Ref: Fernandez Borbalan (ESP)