Juventus vs Benfica: Juventus suffers a big 2-1 loss at home: With goals from Joao Mario and David Neres on Wednesday, Benfica, the two-time champions of Europe, rallied to defeat Juventus 2-1 and keep their pristine record in Group H of the Champions League.
Juventus had a terrible night as they lost three consecutive matches in Europe’s top club competition for the first time in 50 years and dropped their first two games of the Champions League group stage.
“I already told the team these moments happen in football, we need to emerge from them as a team, with a sense of responsibility,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
“We have an important game coming up against Monza and after that we can think about Europe. It will certainly be difficult, but not all is lost.”
When Arkadiusz Milik headed the ball from a Leandro Paredes corner kick into the bottom left corner in the fourth minute, Juventus took the lead.
The early goal appeared to catch Benfica off guard because Juventus controlled the first 25 minutes of the game and forced the Portuguese team to go on the defensive.
After 27 minutes, Neres crossed for Goncalo Ramos, who managed to head the ball right at Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin for Benfica’s first serious opportunity.
As half-time approached, Benfica began to gain more control and possession as the pressure from Juventus eased.
The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute following a VAR check after Juventus midfielder Fabio Miretti fouled Ramos inside the box and Mario equalised from the spot.
Juventus vs Benfica: Football is difficult to explain
Benfica maintained their momentum in the second half with Neres putting them ahead in the 55th minute, firing home on the volley after Rafa Silva’s shot had been parried into his path by Perin.
Juventus pressed forward in the last 10 minutes, with substitute Angel Di Maria leading the charge on his return from a muscle injury.
Bremer failed to convert an opportunity to equalise for Juventus in the 88th minute as the Italians slumped to defeat.
“I don’t criticise the team, I understand the psychological situation. We’ve had some difficult moments and reacted, but conceding that penalty on the stroke of half-time, that was a real blow to morale,” Allegri said.
“Football is difficult to explain, all we can say is that after going 2-1 down the game was over, we risked conceding 3-1 and 4-1.”
Benfica are second in Group H with six points, level with Paris St Germain, who won 3-1 at Maccabi Haifa.
Benfica host Paris Saint-Germain next on Oct. 5, when Juventus will play Maccabi Haifa.
