The trident betrays Juve but Gatti takes care of solving the quarter-final first leg at the Stadium, against a Sporting team that didn’t eliminate Arsenal in the round of 16 by chance. Difficult match for the bianconeri in great difficulty in the first half, then in the second half Juve found the balance and Vlahovic’s entry into the field propitiated the Gatti-branded advantage: the surprise hero who last year played in Serie B with Frosinone, four years ago in Excellence. Semi-finals still to be won in Lisbon, but a fundamental victory after the crash at the Olimpico against Lazio. Allegri bets on Di Maria, Milik and Chiesa on the pitch from the first minute, but in the first half the scene is taken by the Sporting trident. First a shot from Morita, then a big blow from Coates who exalts Szczesny. Two more ideas from Goncalves and Nuno Santos, and in the most tense moment of the game, moments of fear for Szczesny too. The Pole feels ill on the pitch, bursts into tears and asks for the change. Palpitations for the Polish goalkeeper who underwent an ECG in the locker room, and he recovered immediately. Perin enters, decisive in the final with two exceptional saves with a sure blow in rapid succession on Goncalves and Bellerin, but in the meantime Juve raises the laps and the center of gravity, Allegri tries to turn it around with Vlahovic and Fagioli from the bench and succeeds. Adan’s empty exit on the Serbian’s header, rebound in the area on which Gatti pounces for Juventus 1-0. A precious advantage to protect at all costs in the final, Sporting are short of breath and Pogba (replaced) is providential in avoiding an opportunity in the Juve area. It is a dirty and sweaty victory, the success of the gregarious Juve capable of winning thanks to the decisive blows of Gatti and Perin.
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