UEFA Champions League Remains Out Of Reach For Juventus

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Cristiano Ronaldo will no longer feature in this season’s UEFA Champions League as Juventus succumbed in their round-of-16 tie against Porto. Porto had gone down to 10-men but their away goals made the difference at Turin. Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo remained confident that his work at Juventus is far from over after the result.

Juventus managed to win the second tie of the UEFA Champions League 3-2. The Italian side had managed to squeeze in the winner in extra time. However, Porto won the tie on an aggregate score of 4-4. Porto had scored 2 away goals while Juventus had only managed 1.

Juventus’ Struggling Quest For The UEFA Champions League

It is to the Portuguese side’s credit that Mehdi Taremi being sent off a little before the hour mark did not break their spirit in the face of the Italian giants. This is the second consecutive time Juventus is knocked out in the round of 16. Last season, it was to French side Lyon. Last season, they had been knocked out on the basis of away goals as well. That was the damning nail in the coffin for former manager Maurizio Sarri.

Juventus continues to fail to find European success, even when they are running rampant in the domestic circuit. They have a tally of two European Cups whereas domestic rivals AC Milan has seven to their name. They are desperate for the UEFA Champions League crown.

Porto had taken the lead through a Sergio Oliviera effort. Federico Chiesa scored one before and after Taremi’s dismissal to raise hopes for Juve’s progression. However, they were not clinical enough to get the third goal in time as Oliveira scored once more from a set-piece in extra-time. The consolation goal came from Adrien Rabot immediately after.

Andrea Pirlo said that the exit from the UEFA Champions League is a bitter pill to swallow. However, they hope to come back stronger with the young batch of players they have.