Champions League, Juventus with Cristiano Ronaldo and Dybala (photo Ansa)
ROME – Joys and sorrows for Italian teams on the third day of the Champions League group stage. Juve won in comeback against Lokomotiv, thanks to an extraordinary Dybala, and mortgaged qualification to the knockout stages while Atalanta was crashed by Manchester City and is virtually out of the Champions League after three consecutive defeats.
Juve suffered against Lokomotiv because it went under for an episode and then struggled to eradicate the defensive wall of the Russians. The Moscow team had taken the lead with Miranchuk after a rejection of Szczesny on a net goal by former Inter Joao Mario.
In the second half, Sarri tried everything with the trident Dybala, Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo and with the inclusion of a fantasy footballer like Rabiot. After a first blocked part, Dybala thought with two flashes within three minutes.
At 76 ', he beat the opposing goalkeeper with a long-range fireball, at 79' he picked up a rebound by the extreme Russian defender on a powerful conclusion by Alex Sandro to bag from two steps with a left razor. This result allows Juve to mortgage the qualification because it is first together with Atletico at 7 points a plus 4 on Lokomotiv Moscow and more 7 on Bayer Leverkusen.
If Juve laughs, Atalanta licks its wounds. The Bergamo team, with thousands of fans in tow, dreamed for 34 minutes but then was overwhelmed by Guardiola's team, one of the favorites to win the Champions League.
In the first half hour of play, Atalanta managed to take the lead thanks to a penalty kick by Malinovskyi and wasted other chances on the net. Then came Aguero's draw on Sterling's invention. This net has cut Atalanta's legs, which has practically disappeared from the field. Shortly afterwards, Aguero completed the comeback on a penalty earned by Sterling.
In the second half Sterling, who had already played a sumptuous first half with an assist and a penalty gained, also removed the whim of scoring a hat-trick. Game over for Atalanta which, except for miracles, is out of both the Champions League and the consolation called Europa League. In this way he will be able to concentrate all his energy for the fight in fourth place in the championship.
Champions League, Juventus-Lokomotiv Moscow 2-1, goal: Miranchuk at 30 ′, Paulo Dybala at 76 ′ and 79 ′.
Ranking: Atletico 7, Juventus 7, Lokomotiv 3 and Bayer Leverkusen 0.
Juventus took the field with Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi; Bentancur; Dybala and Ronaldo . Sarri preferred Dybala to Higuain.
Lokomotiv Moscow responds with Guillerme; Ignatyev, Corluka, Höwedes, Idowu; Joao Mario, Barinov, Murilo, Krychowiak, Al. Miranchuk and Eder.
After thirty minutes of substantial balance, Lokomotiv Moscow took the lead thanks to an invention by Joao Mario. The former Inter midfielder kicked into the net, Szczesny rejected his conclusion serving a convenient "assist" for Miranchuk's goal. The first half ended with Lokomotiv ahead of a goal in Turin.
In the second half, Juve reaped the fruits of its attacks at 76 '. Dybala beat the opposing goalkeeper with a powerful left from outside the penalty area. His shot ended under the crossing of the poles. Nothing to do for the Russian goalkeeper. At 79 ', Dybala completes the comeback by signing his double goal.
The Russian goalkeeper has repulsed a powerful conclusion of Alex Sandro, the ball has arrived to Dybala that has marked with a razor of left making to explode the Stadium. It's over, Juventus beat Lokomotiv and hooked Atletico in first place, reaching four more over the Russians.
Champions League, Manchester City-Atalanta 5-1, goals: Malinovskyi on penalty at 27 ′, Sergio Aguero at 34 ′ and at 39 ′ on penalty, Sterling at 58 ′, 64 ′ and 71 ′.
Ranking: Manchester City 9, Dinamo Zagreb 4, Shakhtar Donetsk 4 and Atalanta 0.
The Atalanta will play the historic match on the City field with Gollini; Toloi, Djimsiti, Masiello; Chestnuts, de Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Malinovskyi; Gomez and Ilicic.
Pep Guardiola responds with Ederson; Walker, Rodri, Fernandinho, Mendy; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Foden; Mahrez, Aguero and Sterling. The Spanish technician rejected Stones and Otamendi, choosing to play without role defenders.
Aguero close to scoring at 25 '. The Argentina national center striker fired a shot that was deflected into a corner by Gollini with a miraculous parade. At 27 ′, Aguero was served by Foden but he shot high from close range.
Atalanta took the lead on a penalty kick at 27 '. The eleven-meter shot, awarded for a foul by Fernandinho against Ilicic, was coldly transformed by Malinovskyi. City's draw to 34 ', Sterling has crossed from the left, Aguero has escaped from the marking of Djimsiti and bagged under the legs of Gollini.
Rimonta City at 39 '. Sterling was laid down by Masiello, from eleven meters he didn't miss Aguero. Two for the Kun. The first half ended with the City over two to one on Atalanta.
At 58 ', Sterling, author of an extraordinary performance with an assist and a penalty earned, closed the games on an assist from Foden. Still Sterling, double of the English striker at 64 ', Goddess out of the match. Atalanta has disappeared from the field, Sterling scores the hat-trick on an assist from Mahrez. The hosts closed the match in ten men for the expulsion of Foden. It's over, City poker at Atalanta.
The Dybala article extends the Lokomotiv, Juve flies into the Champions League. Atalanta overwhelmed by the City seems to be the first on daily Blitz .
Source: Blitz Quotidiano