So disappointing, considering how much better they played in the second half. Let's hop we can hold them at home.
Still very much 50/50. The score could have been anything given the chances both teams had at the end. Benfica were clinical and took their chances capitalizing on Juve's two defensive lapses. Second was a nice play, but Bonucci was caught watching a bit there.
I am incredibly disappointed in this team, we're never gonna get anywhere making these silly mistakes
The 3-5-2 is a great defensive formation but when you have idiots playing you could play any formation out there and they will still screw up. Just look at my Napoli we bitched about formation for so long yet our players are still ********ing up.
so disappointed in Conte. He cannot figure out Europe and he cannot figure out how to make best use of his players.
the 3-5-2 against this quick counter attacking team with fast wingers leaves us too exposed on the flanks
Yep, Conte is shit. Juve played against a "no name" team (who played the EL final and dominated Chelski last season?) tonight and has definitely no realistic chance to reach the home final. Get a life! The second goal from Benfica was against the run of play and therefore totally unnecessary (even though a similar great goal like that of Tevez) ... nevertheless, I think that the crucial away goal has opened the door to the home final. The Juventus Arena will be on fire in the 2nd leg. http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-carlos-tevez-juventus-1-1-v-benfica/ His last goal in Europe was against ... hmm, against another Portuguese team ... so I'm not suprised he finally scored tonight. Great goal!
If you look at the UEFA charts you will see that Portugal can move ahead of Italy in the coefficients to start the 2014/15 season. A Juve win would keep the Serie A ahead, but only slightly. If Juve lose and Benfica goes on to win the EL championship, then the Serie A is the 5th best league in Europe.
http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method4/crank2015.html All calcio fans should be yelling "FORZA JUVE".
2-1 away loss? There are worse results in Europe. Juve should smash Benfica at home. Don't say cat until its in the bag Benfica fans!
Oh I have no doubt we'll get it done at home, but we need to improve on those brain farts defensively
I don't think this loss was due to formation, but a result of a few moments breaking their way instead of Juve's. The game was evenly balanced for the most part, despite some weak performances by individuals. The 3-5-2, although it did expose Juve to the counter on two or three occasions, allowed them to control the tempo for long spells. The problem was the formation since it kept shifting although the 3-5-2 was the base. Chiellini and Caceres were playing as LB/RB whenever Lichtsteiner or Asamoah pushed up. At times it looked like a 4-4-2. Even in looking at Pogba's possession down the right side in the first half would suggest that he was only a nominal CM as he was playing as a RM. Then at times Marchisio would push high and form a 3-4-3 with Pogba and Pirlo playing in the center (especially in the second half). What let Juve down was more that certain individuals didn't play well. Vucinic who rarely has featured in an injury plagued year was poor. Bonucci was certainly at fault for the first goal also deserved blame for the second. Aside from safe lateral passes, his passing was not very good either. Asamoah also didn't have the best game, but it seems like he has played so many games in a row that it's understandable as he is probably feeling the effects of that. They definitely need quality depth there (but that's been brought up ad nauseam). Juve showed more than enough today to suggest that they can win the tie at home. An away loss vs a quality Benfica side who haven't lost at home since October 2012 (vs Barca) isn't that bad.
Juve dominated the game. The biggest mistake I saw was Conte not putting on Llorente and having Pogba push up more offensively to use both their height advantages for headers. I really don't understand why it was not done. Regardless, Benfica got very lucky Juve didn't score more goals. Marchisio missed one that would have made it 2-2.
The first goal was scored from a corner kick. Damn that 3-5-2. No way that Garay would have put away that corner if we were playing a 4-4-2. Where did Lima come from on his goal? From the middle and if we played a 4-4-2, Pirlo is still in that position anyway. If people want to make criticisms, make it logical. Have some basis for the criticism. Also give some credit to the other side. That second goal was hit perfectly.
the 3-5-2 allows you guys to play with Pirlo it gives him support any other formation would not have the same affect.
I agree. Besides the formation wasn't a static 3-5-2. It kept changing mid game. Given the post game comments it seems like they understand that this loss was a result of mental lapses. Lichtsteiner: “Unfortunately we conceded a silly goal after two minutes which was avoidable. On the second goal we were all lined up in defence, but weren’t focused enough and at this level that gets punished." Conte: “It’s a shame, as at that moment we were pushing for our second goal. We fell asleep at the back. We fell asleep. Let’s say we were caught napping there." "We conceded two goals due to errors, but played well overall. We are Juve, so we have to do even more." It seems unfair to suggest that the team played very poorly when both goals were a result of predominately one player making mistakes. Bonucci didn't even make an attempt on the corner. On the second goal he is too close to Caceres who is marking another player. It was a brilliant play by the Benfica player who let the ball run before Lima struck it very well. Pirlo certainly didn't help by not interfering with Lima, but Bonucci runs away from Lima rather than toward him. It's odd how Juve players seem to have such mental lapses during European ties yet hardly do so in Serie A. This comeback and loss felt very much like the Galatasaray home leg draw.
Tbe second goal falls on Pirlo actually. Lima ran behind him and if Pirlo was marking him instead, he may not had such a good shot. Bonucci was not able to close in on Lima but he was not his mark.