Italian football giants Juventus took a step towards the Europa League semi-finals as they secured a 1-0 victory over Sporting Club de Portugal in the first leg of their quarter-final on Thursday. The match saw Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri change his formation to a more attacking one with three forwards, but the team’s chances were limited throughout the game. Sporting dominated much of the match and had chances to score in the first half, with captain Sebastian Coates and Nuno Santos coming close to scoring.
Szczesny’s health scare adds to Juventus’ injury concerns
Juventus faced further difficulties with injury as goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was replaced shortly before the break due to feeling unwell. He was later confirmed to have suffered no serious health issues, but his replacement, Mattia Perin, stepped up to make a crucial double save in stoppage time to secure the victory for Juventus.
Sporting will be looking to turn things around
The second leg of the quarter-final will take place in Lisbon next week, with the winner set to face either Sevilla or Manchester United in the semi-final.
Despite the narrow advantage gained by Juventus, Sporting will be looking to turn things around in the return leg and secure a place in the next stage of the competition.
Overall, the match highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability in football, as Juventus struggled with injuries and a change in formation but managed to secure a crucial victory.
With the semi-finals within reach, the team will be looking to build on this result and continue their pursuit of European success.
