And the day came when Wembley discovered HD. Thanks to two flames by Higuain and Dybala, Juventus conquered London and qualified for the quarter-finals. An important feat that reiterates, if there were still a need, two great qualities of the black and whites: knowing how to suffer and having champions in the squad capable of deciding any match, even the most difficult one.
Yes, because in the 63rd minute the picture was decidedly gray: Juve down by a goal, outclassed by Tottenham both from the point of view of the game and from the physical-athletic point of view, unable to create noteworthy chances and with a bench reduced to bone from injuries. Then the two Argentines took the chair and the "screen", as if by magic, took on the sharpness of the latest generation HD.
“Compliments must be given to the boys – acknowledged Allegri. – It was a very difficult game but we knew how to suffer, waiting for the right moment to strike. Considering also the first leg, I believe that qualification is deserved”. Juve lackluster but cynical and ruthless: a fairly frequent leitmotif in recent times but justified by some objective data.
First of all the quality of the opponents, in a positive streak of 17 games and particularly effective within the majestic walls of Wembley, and then the numerous absences which, combined with the precarious state of form of some present, made a brilliant performance almost impossible.
Last but not least, since we are on the English subject, the sensational penalty denied by Marciniak after a few minutes (obvious foul to all, except him and his collaborators, by Vertonghen on Douglas Costa) which could upset the match and direct him towards Turin with much less effort.
From there, however, it was a Tottenham monologue, with Spurs close to scoring several times before finding it with Son, moreover on the most daring occasion of all (39 '). Qualification in great climb, with Juve forced to score at least two goals against a galvanized and confident team.
It is precisely in these moments that you see the champions, those capable of overturning matches and opponents by themselves, in defiance of any technical-tactical logic, and Allegri, fortunately for him, has several, even on the worst days. In the 63rd minute, Higuain made it 1-1 with a winger's paw on an assist from Khedira, then, three minutes later, put Dybala in front of Lloris for the qualifying goal (66') and Juve, almost without realizing it, went from yet another European failure to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
This is what matters most, in defiance of purists and critics of all kinds, ready to uncork the champagne and celebrate the Juventus de profundis. The Lady, on the other hand, remains in the running and, for the fourth time in the last 5 years, finds herself among the top 8 in Europe. Adding the Wembley scalp to her glorious history.
