Champions League

DUSAN VLAHOVIC made a dream start to his Champions League debut in Spain, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory for Juventus.The Serb fired Juve ahead at Villarreal with a cool finish after just 31 seconds.
But Villarreal equalised in the second half after Dani Parejo latched on to a brilliant ball from former Watford star Etienne Capoue.
Away goals do NOT count in this tie following a change in Uefa rules.
That’s all from Estadio de la Cerámica
Nothing splits these two sides as they head into the second leg of this Champions League round-of-16 fixture.
Juventus and Villarreal will meet again in Turin on March 16 to determine who will progress to the quarter-finals.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Dusan Vlahovic reacts
“It was huge to score on my debut, it was very emotional.
“However, I cannot be 100% satisfied because we have not won the game. We have to keep working hard.
“We played a good game and we could have won. There are some regrets but we must just focus on the next game.
“We tried to play well also in the second half but sometimes the opponents do not allow you to do what you want to do so congratulations to them for equalising.
“Personally, I have already forgotten this game and I’m focused on the next.”
Massimiliano Allegri reacts
“We made a bad mistake on their equaliser.”
“We perfectly knew that they were trying that move and we still allowed them to score.
“However, the team played a good game in general. We made a few mistakes also in attack, straying offside when we had good chances on the counter attack.
“In general, I’m quite satisfied with the performance.”
Injury woes continue
Juventus’ injury list continues to grow.
Weston McKennie was forced off late in the game with what looked to be a serious ankle injury.
Paulo Dybala, Federico Chiesa, Daniele Rugani, Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Bernardeschi were all absent this evening.
McKennie’s knock adds to Allegri’s list of concerns.
Credit: EPA
History Maker
Dusan Vlahovic has broken the record for the fastest goal ever scored on a Champions League debut.
It took him 32 seconds to open the scoring.
He has beaten Andreas Moller’s time of 38 seconds, recorded in 1995.
Credit: Getty
Full Time – Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Villarreal dominated possession throughout the game.
During the first half they failed to do anything effective with it, but they turned things around after half time.
The Yellow Submarine continued to press high throughout the second half, forcing Juventus onto the back foot.
They also did a fantastic job in capitalising on the mistakes of the opposition and creating goalscoring opportunities from them.
Villarreal will certainly be approaching the second leg with some confidence as they travel to Turin.
Credit: AFP
Full Time – Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Juventus had a positive start with Vlahovic scoring in the opening minute.
But, they lacked the cutting edge in front of goal whilst they were on top, preventing them from taking a comfortable lead.
Some sloppy play during the second half turned the game around, putting the Old Lady on the back foot.
They were lucky not to go down to 10 men after Rabiot went in with a dangerous high challenge on Chukwueze.
Credit: Reuters
Full Time – Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
An early goal from Vlahovic was cancelled out by Parejo to make the score 1-1.
Villarreal dominated the second half of the game and could be considered unlucky to only come away with a draw.
Credit: AP
90+4. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Pino looks energetic as he breaks into the box.
He attempts to send the ball across goal but Cuadrado is there to head it away.
90. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Villarreal make two more changes.
Groeneveld is replaced by Dia.
Chukwueze is replaced by Pino.
Four minutes will be added on…
87. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Juventus make another change.
De Sciglio is forced off and replaced by Pellegrini.
84. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Vlahovic receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area.
The Villarreal defence close him down quickly but he somehow manages to get the shot away.
Rulli does well to make the save.
Credit: Getty
81. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Juventus make another change.
Mckennie is forced off with an ankle injury and is replaced by Zakaria.
78. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Villarreal make two changes.
Moreno limps off and is replaced by Trigueros.
Alfonso is replaced by Estupinan.
73. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Rabiot is booked for a dangerous challenge on on Chukwueze.
The Villarreal players believe it should be a red and Rulli is booked for a confrontation with the referee.
The challenge is not reviewed by VAR, much to the frustration of the home side.
Credit: AFP
71. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Juventus make another substitution.
Arthur comes on to replace Locatelli.
67. Villarreal 1-1 Juventus
Capoue sends the ball through to Parejo in the box.
He is completely unmarked and can simply place the ball into the bottom left corner to level the score!
A deserved goal for Villarreal.
Credit: AFP
66. GOOOAAAAAALLLLL VILLARREALLLLL!!!!!!!
Parejo levels the score!!!
65. Villarreal 0-1 Juventus
Juventus have been sloppy in possession so far in this second half.
Emery’s side are not afraid to capitalise on loose passes – they look like they could get the equaliser soon.
57. Villarreal 0-1 Juventus
Lo Celso does well to capitalise on a loose ball.
He breaks forward before unleashing it to Pedraza who squares it to Moreno, but he cannot get the shot on target.
Villarreal are throwing everything at their opponents right now.
54. Villarreal 0-1 Juventus
Parejo sends a free kick into the box.
Bonucci does well to head it behind for a corner, but nothing comes of it for the Yellow Submarine.
50. Villarreal 0-1 Juventus
Cuadrado does well to break into the penalty area before sending the ball to Mckennie on the edge of the six-yard box.
Foyth does just enough to make the crucial tackle before the danger is cleared.
47. Villarreal 0-1 Juventus
Juventus have come out all guns blazing!
Cuadrado sends a fantastic pass over to Morata, who is left in acres of space.
He attempts to volley it towards goal but his effort heads wide.
Credit: AP
Kick Off – Villarreal 0-1 Juventus
We’re back underway!
Juventus have made their first substitution.
Bonucci has come on to replace Sandro.
Half Time – Villarreal 0-1 Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic has become the second youngest player to score on their Champions League debut for Juventus.
What a signing!
2 – Dušan Vlahović (22 years, 25 days) is the second youngest player to score on their Champions League debut for Juventus after Alessandro Del Piero (20 years 308 days). Arrival. pic.twitter.com/XieQ5Anqbc— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 22, 2022

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CHELSEA have won the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash with Lille.Kai Havertz headed the Blues in front unmarked after just eight minutes before Christian Pulisic scored a second after a brilliant run from N’Golo Kante.
But Thomas Tuchel’s men have suffered a blow with Hakim Ziyech being forced off injured, leaving a doubt for the Carabao Cup final.
There are no away goals in this season’s Champions League after the rule was scrapped.
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That’s all from the Bridge
It’s advantage Chelsea in the Champions League Round of 16 after the holders got the better of Lille on Tuesday night.
The Londoners made it three wins from three for English sides in the knockout stage so far, and attention will now turn to Manchester United tomorrow as they visit Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, these two sides will meet again for the second leg at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in three weeks time, but before then the Blues have the small matter of the League Cup final to negotiate.
Join us on Sunday to see whether Thomas Tuchel’s team can get their hands on even more silverware as they face Liverpool.
Goodnight.
Boss Tuchel regrets Kovacic injury
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel faces an anxious wait on Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech to see if they are available for Sunday’s League Cup final.
The two Chelsea players were both substituted in the second half after picking up knocks, but Tuchel has revealed that he wishes he had replaced the Croatian at half-time when an issue first became apparent.
Instead, Kovacic was given the opportunity to run the complaint off, only to pull up minutes after the restart.
However, Tuchel believes there is plenty of time between now and the final for his players to recover, and for other key tactical decisions to be made.
I should have substituted [Mateo Kovacic] at half-time so we could have saved one more change. I did not speak to the doctor yet about Hakim [Ziyech], I hope it is not too much. It is the story of the season, we only make substitutions because of injuries. Today is Tuesday, there are a lot of days to recover until Sunday.”
Kai makes role his own
Kai Havertz will surely lead the line for Chelsea in Sunday’s League Cup final against Liverpool.
In for Romelu Lukaku tonight after the Belgian’s seven-touch nightmare at Crystal Palace, the German was a menace from the off.
Havertz opened the scoring with just eight minutes on the clock, registered four attempts at goal, and touched the ball on 46 occasions.

Ed a safe pair of hands
With Edouard Mendy back between the sticks, Chelsea have tonight become the first English team in the history of either the European Cup or Champions League to win five consecutive home matches without conceding a goal.
The Senegalese international has kept as astonishing 14 clean sheets in his 18 Champions League appearances.
And to think there were some wondering if he’d reclaim his place on returning from the African Cup of Nations.
Credit: @OptaJoe Twitter
Match stats from Stamford Bridge
Chelsea scored with half of their shots on target as they fought their way to a first leg lead in their Last 16 Champions League tie with Lille.

Full time – Chelsea 2-0 Lille
A professional performance, a routine win, and Chelsea will take a two-goal lead to Lille in three weeks time.
Goals in either half from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic have the European champions with one foot in the quarter-finals, and it’s now on to the League Cup final on Sunday.
The only downside to tonight’s performance were the injuries suffered by Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech with both players now in a race against time to be fit for the weekend’s Wembley encounter with Liverpool.

Chelsea 2-0 Lille
90+5. Just as the home fans relax in the knowledge of a job well done, Mendy presents them with one final moment of panic.
The Chelsea goalkeeper completely slices at a free-kick out by the corner flag, and almost – almost – presents Yilmaz with an open goal.
Thankfully for Mendy and most inside Stamford Bridge, the striker fails to control and the opportunity passes. Phew.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
90+4. The short answer is no.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
90. The fourth official puts up the board to signal five minutes of stoppage time.
Is there a twist in this contest yet?
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
88. Chelsea are heading for an important first leg lead.
Tonight’s performance may not have been as impressive or spectacular as Manchester City’s in Lisbon, or Liverpool’s in Milan, but it is the kind of professional display that ended with the Blues becoming European champions last year.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille – Ben Arfa yellow card
86. The second corner is somewhat less successful.
Ben Arfa is slow to react as the attack breaks down, and then finds himself well off the pace as he chases back after Werner.
In the end, all there is to do is bring down the German, and the subsequent caution is an inevitability.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
85. Away goals may not count in this competition anymore, but Lille are pushing to find one in the final few minutes.
Les Dogues win a corner on the right that ends up falling nicely for Ben Arfa to strike. The substitute’s volley cannons off a Chelsea defender and goes behind.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille – Loftus-Cheek yellow card
83. The first yellow card of the night is shown to Chelsea substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The midfielder was late to react as he dived in on Bamba, catching the Little midfielder on the instep.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille – Lille substitutions
81. Another two changes, but they include an interesting introduction.
Jonathan David and Renato Sanches make way with Edon Zhegrova and former Newcastle ace Hatem Ben Arfa on in their place.
Ben Arfa, now 34-years-old, was recently picked up on a free transfer following the end of his contract with Bordeaux.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille – Chelsea substitutions
80. A double substitution by Thomas Tuchel brings Timo Werner and Malang Sarr into the game.
Off for a breather go Christian Pulisic and Marcos Alonso.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille – Lille substitution
78. Lille make a change that sees Swedish defender Gabriel Gudmundsson on in place of Tiago Djalo.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
77. Havertz is good to continue but he may not get much longer with the Chelsea bench preparing a double change.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
76. A firm but fair challenge from Botman puts Havertz knee-first into the electronic advertising hoardings. Ouch!
Another injury is definitely not what’s needed at this stage.

Chelsea 2-0 Lille
74. Buoyed by his goal, Pulisic tracks all the way back to his own touchline to block Sanches’ path to goal.
The home crowd appreciate what they see, and chants of “USA! USA!” go up from the Shed End.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
72. The Blues have slipped into a 3-5-2 formation since Saul’s introduction.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
71. Christian Pulisic’s goal was the sixth goal scored in the Champions League knockout stages by an American.
The Chelsea man is responsible for three of those six, but who got the others? Answers on a postcard…
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
68. Chelsea fans are now suggesting that Thomas Tuchel should utilise more of his bench with five substitutions at his disposal tonight, and the League Cup final on the horizon.
But a two-goal lead can quickly be halved, and with 90 minutes in France still to face, this quarter of the game could yet prove crucial.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille – Lille substitution
65. The Ligue 1 side respond to that second Chelsea goal by making their first change.
Thirty-six-year-old striker Burak Yilmaz is on up front, replacing midfielder Amadou Onana.
Chelsea 2-0 Lille
62. Breathing space for the Blues!
It’s a beautifully worked goal involving two beautiful players in Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante.
The Brazilian helps to break up a move deep in the Chelsea half, and picks out the French midfielder with a crisp pass.
It’s then over to Kante to do what he does so well. Accelerating away from Xeka, he drives forward over the halfway line and towards the Lille box.
Backing off and backing off, the visiting defenders finally make a move towards Kante, who chooses that precise moment to slip a pass through for Chrisian Pulisic to slide home.

Goal! Pulisic makes it two!
Chelsea double their lead at the Bridge!
Christian Pulisic has his fourth of the season!
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