Lyon 1 Juventus 0: De Ligt a bloody mess as Ronaldo and Co’s Champions League hopes hang in the balance
MATTHIJS DE LIGT was left a bloody mess as Juventus head back from Lyon with their Champions League dreams bruised.
Maurizio Sarri finds his job under even more pressure as his team need a second-leg comeback following the 1-0 defeat at the Groupama Stadium.
A huge Coronavirus warning was displayed on the big screen pre-match but the visitors had no remedy for Lucas Tousart’s first-half strike.
And that must have left Cristano Ronaldo and Co. feeling sick after failing to breach a resolute home defence.
Wojciech Szczesny was beaten hands down by Karl Toko Ekambi’s header early doors but his blushes were spared by the woodwork.
Lyon continued to attack, and they got their reward just after half hour as Lucas Tousart volleyed first-time into the net from Houssem Aouar’s left-wing cross.
That breakthrough arrived with the visitors a man down as De Ligt received treatment for a nasty head cut after colliding with his team-mate Alex Sandro before returning wearing a huge bandage.
And it was almost double-trouble for Juve moments later when the hosts claimed a penalty for a Juan Cuadrado handball, only for VAR to rule against it due to it hitting his thigh first.
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Juventus were rocking and nearly gifted Lyon a second when Miralem Pjanic’s backpass played in Ekambi – but the forward blazed over the bar when clean through.
Home ‘keeper Anthony Lopes had not even had a shot to save in the opening period with Ronaldo’s best effort being a free-kick straight into the wall.
And even the introduction of Aaron Ramsey midway through the second failed to spark the Serie A giants into life, with sub Gonzalo Higuain blazing wide with their best chance late on while the hosts also survived a late penalty shout.
