Replacements made the difference in Bayern Munich’s 4-2 win over Juventus
Massimiliano Allegri was without mainstays Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Marchisio and Paulo Dybala, while Mario Mandzukic was not perfectly fit, so much so the Juventus tactician opted to bench the Croation front-man, preferring to start rampant Alvaro Morata.
Juventus’ replacements failed to have the same impact that players who came off from the Bavarians’ bench did. Thiago Alcantara scored the winner in the second half of extra time, while former Old Lady starlet Kingsley Coman scored the 4-2 and had previously registered one assist.
The Bavarians got the wrong approach to the game and Guardiola probably started the wrong players too, but all those hitting out at Allegri for the substitutions he did, should also remember the manager tried to defend the Bianconeri’s lead with the only reliable men at his disposal.
Stefano Sturaro’s impact was not the brilliant one he had in the first leg game, Mario Mandzukic’s precarious physical conditions influenced his fighting spirit, while Roberto Pereyra was tasked with the job of losing as much time as possible after replacing Juan Cuadrado.
Massimiliano Allegri was short of options. Sturaro and Pereyra combined had only racked up 1534 minutes in Serie A before the Allianz Arena clash.
All those criticizing Allegri should also be honest and admit that Juventus got their European consecration despite their Champions League exit. Allegri played the best men he could, nullifying the Bavarians for more than 70 minutes even playing an old-style 5-4-1 when the Bundesliga giants came into ball possession.
The only thing players can be found responsible for, is not having killed off the game when they had the chance. No secret that Bayern have benefitted from Sami Khedira’s and Alvaro Morata’s exits, even if Patrice Evra’s mistake in the 91th minute gave Pep Guariola’s lads a vital help to send the game into extra time.
Details made the difference too. Juventus should have been more clinical in front of goal and the referee definitely did not help the Old Lady. However, even if Juve would have made it through the quarter finals they should have faced a problem which have been affecting the team since the beginning of the current campaign: players are suffering way too many muscle injuries and both Allegri and the club should really think about how to put an end to the injury crisis which eventually conditioned Massimiliano Allegri’s choices at the Allianz Arena.
Nicola Balice (@NicolaBalice), translated by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
