UEFA Champions League Round of 16
Juventus overcame a 2-0 deficit conceded at Atletico Madrid with a 3-0 comeback.One man was the reason for the heavy favorite’s surprise comeback and it is Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese notched a hat-trick to lift his club and shutdown his former rivals of Atlético Madrid. This is the greatest comeback in Juventus‘ history and the Italian champions had never won a tie after losing the first leg 2-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the difference maker in Turin as the club moves onto the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League keeping alive Ronaldo’s potential wining streak.
Man City dismantled Schalke 7-0. Yet, City coach Pep Guardiola thinks Juventus are title favorites. Having Cristiano Ronaldo in great form shows how dangerous they are.
Coach Allegri comments on a magical night:
“The boys read the game in the best possible way – underlined the tactician – playing at a high tempo and exploiting the width of the pitch. I wanted to us play like that also in the first leg, but then I changed something and it didn’t go the right way.
This evening, on the other hand, it was a fluid, cool and calm performance. We had been waiting for this evening for a long time and we risked having a frenetic game. Instead we had to pressure them, whilst also keeping a balance and we did it.
I tried to put the players on the pitch who would find the right moments for us to open up the game. Spinazzola and Bernardeschi were very good. All the boys showed their maturity, putting in a great performance.”
Cristiano Ronaldo added:
It was always going to be a special night: and it was, not only for the goals, but for the team. This is the mentality of champions, this is the journey to follow: we enjoyed a magical night. Atletico were a difficult team, but we were strong too. We will see what will happen…”
