Juve celebrated their fourth consecutive victory in Europe by winning 2-0 at Porto, with goals from Pjaca and Dani Alves, and effectively mortgaging qualification for the quarter-finals. Allegri is not affected by the exclusion of Bonucci and guesses the substitutions, even if the final result was certainly helped by the madness of the former Inter Alex Telles, sent off before the half hour for a second yellow card.
Porto starts strong, as per tradition, but Juventus creates the most dangerous opportunity in the first half hour with Dybala, who eats a goal by kicking high. The turning point of the game comes in the 27th minute, when Telles gets his second yellow card for a bad foul on Lichtsteiner (the first had been on Cuadrado just before): tough intervention and right decision. A minute later Cuadrado touches the post. Espirito Santo chooses to sacrifice the jewel André Silva, inserting Layun on the left wing and leaving Tiquinho as the only striker. Before the break, Khedira also tries with a wide header. Then a corner intervention by Casillas (not very sure) on a shot by Khedira, finally the post by Dybala after a great left foot.
The second half is a siege by Juve: after a goal disallowed by Dybala for offside (doubtful), Khedira's high shot arrives and Paulo's shot from distance again. In between is Herrera's header which frightens the Bianconeri. Porto defends itself with stubbornness and attention, Juve are less lucid and less brilliant than usual. The coach of the landlords was not satisfied either and put Corona, more offensive, in place of Neves. Allegri replies with Pjaca in place of Cuadrado. Shortly before, Higuain nearly scored a goal that could have been beautiful, but Casillas' goal seemed haunted. However, the numerical superiority helps in the long run and Allegri's substitution is a winner: in the 28th minute Pjaca takes care of it, who scores the first goal for Juventus in the most important evening. Soon after Dani Alves doubles from Alex Sandro's cross. Game over and qualification one step away.
