Cristiano Ronaldo helps Juventus inflict Champions League reality check on Manchester United
Manchester United were given a Champions League reality check by a dominant Juventus side on Tuesday night as Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed another victorious return to Old Trafford.
The Italian giants exerted near-total control throughout the match and took an early lead through Paulo Dybala, who pounced on a deflected cross to calmly guide the ball past David de Gea.
United eventually rallied late in the match, sparked by a long-range effort from Paul Pogba – playing against his old club for the first time – but ultimately were well beaten on a night that offered few positives.
JUVENTUS LAY DOWN MARKER
It is easy to see why Juventus are favourites to win the Champions League, even ahead of the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Theyve picked up 25 points out of a possible 27 in Serie A, and continued that same dominance on the pitch at Old Trafford; you would have been forgiven for thinking Juve were the home side in the first half as they controlled the midfield and rained down efforts on De Geas goal.
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United did not have a shot on target from open play until the 90th minute, with the side lacking any kind of cohesion on the rare opportunities they were given the ball. Juves three-man midfield provided the perfect balance between creativity and solidity, while their attack pulsated with pace and ferocity, both of which were built on a customarily resolute back-line. There was an organised precision to everything they did, whereas United just looked chaotic.
As much as Mourinho can be guilty of looking for excuses, it is on nights like this that the gulf in class between United and Europes elite becomes really evident. Even with Mario Mandzukic left behind in Turin, Max Allegri had Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi on the bench if he needed a game-changer. Mourinho had the 18-year-old Tahith Chong. Juve were just too strong, too experienced and too savvy.
RONALDO RETURNS TO OLD TRAFFORD
Ronaldo may have been keen to pay tribute to the United fans before the match, but as soon as the whistle was blown he activated his usual ice-cold killer mode. As well as bringing his customary goal threat, he tracked back, linked play and worked extremely hard – harder than he has done for a long time – and played a key role in Dybalas goal in what was an excellent all-round display, even if De Geas reflexes denied him the goal he deserved.
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It was interesting, too, to see how fluid the Juve attack have already become in moving to facilitate their star mans meanderings. He lined up on both flanks in the first half, swapping sides with Juan Cuadrado, and on the occasions when he perched himself through the middle, Dybala would drop into the hole while Blaise Matuidi shifted across to cover out wide. While United looked out of ideas, every Juve player knew exactly what they were doing.
ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK?
Perhaps Uniteds biggest problem right now is the extent to which their attacking venom is drawn from momentum; from going behind in matches and having to rally, rather than structured methodical build-up play. Its a trait that stretches back to last season, in the Manchester derby, and which was evident at Stamford Bridge just a few days ago.
But that moment never really came against Juve. The Italians were too good at taking the sting out of the match, and the closest an expectant and willing crowd came to getting up off their seats was when Paul Pogba hit the post from long range. In truth this was an attacking display that lacked any kind of bite, with Uniteds front three particularly poor.
It is easy to see why Mourinho finds Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial so frustrating when they are this wasteful, though Romelu Lukaku offered little support; he was easily out-thought and out-muscled by Juves defence and never provided an out ball. He did not touch the ball in the oppositions box until the 84th minute and has now gone eight games without a goal. Meanwhile, it will not have gone unnoticed that rivals Manchester City racked up 24 shots in a dominant win away to Shakhtar Donestk. United are miles behind Europes best.
More: Manchester United FC
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