Yahoo Sports UEFA Youth League: Young Bianconeri share spoils with Man City
Juventus Under-20’s final match of the UEFA Youth League, league phase against Manchester City ended 1-1. Both goals came in the first half: Juventus took the advantage thanks to Patryk Mazur before the visitors equalised through Lakyle Samuel. Francesco Magnanelli's team consequently qualify for the Round of 16, with 11 points thanks to three wins, two draws and one defeat.
THE MATCH REPORT
The young Bianconeri started the match excellently, and tried to impose their game plan on the English side straight from kick-off. The early stages were dominated by Juventus Under-20s, with Lorenzo Biliboc's free-kick hitting the wall and Alessio Vacca's through ball for Diego Pugno, who made his first-team debut in Lecce, being diverted behind for a corner by the City defence. It was from the resulting corner that Magnanelli's side took the lead in the 19th minute via Mazur, who took advantage of a rebound in the box following a Javier Gil Puche header to put his side ahead. Five minutes later it was Biliboc who went close to doubling their lead with a left-footed snapshot that went just wide.
In the 34th minute, however, Manchester City equalised with Samuel making a late run into the box before firing his effort just under the crossbar. Juventus U20 continued to play their game and pushed to regain the lead. However they were denied by the opposing goalkeeper, who was able to deal with Vacca’s dangerous effort from the edge of the area. The last chance of the first half fell to Ryan McAidoo, but Gil Puche made an excellent defensive block to deny the striker’s effort that seemed destined for Riccardo Radu’s net.
The first chance of the second period fell to Juve, as Adam Boufander’s header from a corner went inches from making it 2-1. At the other end, Radu was on hand to deny Farid Alfa-Ruprecht twice in quick succession to keep the scores level. Shortly after the hour mark it was again the Citizens' number 7 causing problems with his speed on the right, as he cut inside before unleashing a left-footed strike that went wide of the target. Radu had to make another great save in the 75th minute to prevent Charlie Gray’s effort from the edge of the box.
In the 86th minute a great turn of pace by Alessandro Ventre saw Juventus U20s come close to a winner, but Max Alleyne made a goal-line clearance to deny the Bianconeri. Three minutes later, Pugno latched onto a loose ball following a Man City error and struck a long-range effort on goal that was easily dealt with by Spike Brits. The last great chance came in the first minute of added time when Ventre got in behind down the right again before finding Pugno in the penalty area, who tried to direct the ball goalwards, but Stephen Mfuni was able to deal with the danger. The match between Juventus U20 and Manchester City at the Allianz Training Center in Vinovo ended in a draw.
