Juventus vs Atletico Madrid LIVE result: Paulo Dybala's scorcher proves the difference
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Your support makes all the difference.Paulo Dybala curled in a free kick from the unlikeliest of angles to give Juventus a 1-0 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, which left the Spaniards with a battle to secure a round-of-16 place.
Juventus, already qualified, won the free kick just outside the penalty area and near the goal-line but the narrow angle did not deter Argentine Dybala who fired his shot over the wall and in off the crossbar in the 45th minute.
The Turin side, with 13 points from five games, made sure of winning Group D with one match to spare.
Atletico Madrid, beaten 3-0 on the same ground last season when they were on the wrong end of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick, were left on seven points after their second successive defeat in the group, one ahead of Bayer Leverkusen.
Ronaldo, troubled recently by a knee problem, had a quiet game, avoided taking any free kicks and hurt himself when he kicked the corner flag trying to keep the ball in play, but did not appear to suffer an injury.
Atletico created the better chances despite having less possession.
Thomas Partey volleyed wide from outside the area and Saul Niguez headed over from close range when he should have done better, then forced Wojciech Szczesny to make a difficult save with a shot which went through a crowd of players.
Dybala, however, was a constant threat to Atletico and capped his display with a memorable goal just on the stroke of halftime.
Atletico continued to carve out chances after halftime but Matthijs de Ligt held the Juventus defence together and the Dutchman made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Angel Correa a clear shot on goal.
The Mattress Makers squandered their best chance in stoppage time when Correa sent the ball across the face of goal, but Alvaro Morata, with an open goal gaping in front of him, failed to make contact.
Reuters
What time is the game?
The game kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday 26 November.
Where can I watch it?
The game is being broadcast on BT Sport Extra 2 with coverage getting underway at 8pm.
Subscribers can also stream the game live online via the BT Sport website.
What’s the team news?
Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to win his race to be fit for tonight’s game in a huge boost to Juve.
There is worse news for Douglas Costa and Matthijs de Ligt, however, with both likely to miss out.
Diego Costa misses out for the visitors after a neck operation but Saul Niguez and Thomas Partey are back after missing the weekend clash with Granada with suspension.
Predicted XIs
Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Rugani, Bonucci, Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi; Bernardeschi; Higuain, Ronaldo
Atletico: Oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Hermoso, Lodi; Koke, Saul, Thomas, Lemar; Correa, Morata
What are the odds?
Juventus 5/4
Draw 21/10
Atletico 12/5
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
18 minutes
Lodi weaves his way towards the edge of the box and shoots on his left foot. But it's a wild effort that flies into the stand behind Szczesny's goal. The Juventus goalkeeper hasn't been troubled yet.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
19 minutes
Ronaldo is played in behind down the right, works some space to cross and drills a ball in the direction of Dybala. Felipe does well to get his head to it first and clear the danger.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
20 minutes
Chance! Saul, arriving late in the box, is picked out and has a free header from close range. But he can only guide it over the bar. There are a few concerned groans from the home supporters.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
24 minutes
Close! A good spell of pressure from Atletico ends with an effort from distance by Saul, which almost catches out Szczesny. The goalkeeper gets down low to make the save but almost spills it to the waiting Morata. He just about gathers the ball before the Spaniard can react.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
26 minutes
Atletico have defended with typical resilience and organisation so far. They're almost caught out, though, as a ball driven into the box nearly ricochets kindly for Dybala a few yards out. Ramsey tries to keep the attack alive but his ball across is blocked.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
30 minutes
Juventus enjoy a prolonged spell of possession but it's all in front of Atletico's compact defensive unit. Unsurprisingly, this is quite a cagey affair with half an hour played.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
32 minutes
Uncharacteristically wasteful from Pjanic, who sends a free kick from the right way beyond everyone waiting in the box. Dybala races after the ball, though, and is blatantly fouled by Hermoso, who goes into the book. Another set piece in a good position for Juventus.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
33 minutes
Ronaldo takes the free kick this time, laying the ball off to Pjanic on the edge of the box. The midfielder tries a first-time shot but drags his effort wide of the near post.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
35 minutes
Bentancur is the next player to go into the book for a late challenge. He's not happy with referee Anthony Taylor, clearly making the point that it was his first foul. It doesn't help his cause though.
Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid
39 minutes
Atletico are expertly frustrating Juventus at the moment. It's congested in the final third for the hosts, who can't find any way through. The impetus is still on the away side to win this game, though. Juventus have already qualified for the knockout stages and a draw here would suit them.
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