Real Madrid travelled to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday knowing that three points would secure their spot in the knockout round of the competition.
The home side deservedly led at the interval courtesy of a penalty from their Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal.
Madrid were level early in the second period when Cristiano Ronaldo found the bottom corner, before Gareth Bale made it 2-1 on the hour mark.
Juventus were level five minutes later, however, when Fernando Llorente headed past Iker Casillas from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Champions League coverage continues this evening as Juventus welcome Real Madrid to Turin. Madrid are in a comfortable position in Group B – currently leading the way having collected nine points from their three matches thus far. However, Juventus have picked up just two points from a possible nine thus far.
As mentioned, the two sides met in the Bernabeu in the reverse group match last time out. In truth, Juventus were in the match for long periods, but their task was made harder when Giorgio Chiellini was dismissed in the second period. It was Madrid that claimed all three points in a 2-1 win, courtesy of a double from Cristiano Ronaldo.
TEAMS:
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Caceres, Barzagli, Bonucci, Asamoah; Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba; Marchisio, Llorente, Tevez
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Alonso, Khedira, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
So there we have it. Martin Cacares comes into the Juve defence in place of the suspended Chiellini, with Angelo Ogbonna left on the bench. It also appears that Arturo Vidal will operate in a wide area for the home side. Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, meanwhile, start in attack. Real Madrid recall Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso to their starting XI, while Karim Benzema starts as the lone forward for the Spanish outfit.
Juventus also have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Giovinco, Isla and Quagliarella. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have the likes of Angel di Maria, Jese Rodriguez and Isco in reserve. No particular surprises in either XI this evening. One thing is for certain, both have been set up to have a go at the opposition.
Incredibly, none of the previous 15 European matches between the two sides have ended as a draw. Meanwhile, those particular fixtures have averaged two goals per game, which suggests that a 1-0 score could be on the cards this evening. However, in football, especially in the Champions League, the unexpected should always be expected.
Home advantage has proved key in meetings between Juventus and Real Madrid. Madrid’s home record against their European rivals is won five and lost two, while Juventus have won five of their six matches against Madrid on their own turf. Put simply, Juve cannot afford to lose this evening or their Champions League campaign will be in serious doubt.
Before this season, the two sides also met in the group stages of the 2008-09 campaign. Juventus won both home and away during that particular season with a 2-1 win in Turin followed by a 2-0 victory in the Bernabeu, when Alessandro del Piero scored twice in a famous victory. What Juventus would give to be able to call upon their former striker this time around.
The two sides also met in the 1998 final, when a strike from Predrag Mijatovic secured the trophy for Madrid, ending their 32-year wait for their seventh European crown in the process. Much has changed at both clubs since then, but their drive for silverware has not. Carlo Ancelotti will be expected to deliver a 10th European Cup for Madrid this season.
Juventus have managed just seven goals in their last eight European matches against Spanish opposition, but victory is paramount this evening. The Italian opened their campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw in Copenhagen, before drawing 2-2 with Galatasaray in Turkey. Defeat in the Bernabeu last time out has left them in third position in the group.
Should Galatasaray pick up all three points in Copenhagen this evening, the Turkish outfit would move onto seven points. Defeat for Juve would leave them on two points, meaning that they would need a miracle in their last two matches to book their spot in the knockout rounds. That is an indication of the seriousness of this particular match.
However, Madrid’s record in Italy will hand Juve confidence. The Spanish outfit have not won on their last six visits to Italy, with their last success coming in a 3-0 win over Roma in the 2004-05 campaign. Their overall record against Serie A sides is played 28, won four, drawn seven and lost 17. Juve will hope that reads lost 18 come the end of the evening.
As mentioned, Madrid have won both of their Group B matches this season. They opened with a thumping 6-1 win in Galatasaray, before putting four past Danish outfit Copenhagen at home. Victory over Juventus last time out moved them onto nine points and clear at the top of the table. Even if they lose this evening, they will be confident of making the latter stages.
The Spanish outfit have also scored in all their last 19 Champions League away fixtures, losing only four times in the process. What’s more, in Cristiano Ronaldo, they have a player that has scored seven goals in his three Champions League matches this season. The Portuguese has also scored in nine of his last 10 appearances in the competition.
Taking that a bit further, Ronaldo has scored 20 times in all competitions for Madrid this season. His total of seven goals in this competition is more than 26 teams have managed in total, including Barcelona. Overall, Ronaldo has scored 58 times in the competition and 28 times in his last 22 matches in Europe. Quite sensational.
In terms of domestic form, Juventus enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over Parma at the weekend. The Italian champions currently sit third in the table having won nine, drawn one and lost one of their 11 fixtures to date. That record is only enough to see them third, however, with Napoli (who are also on 28 points) ahead on goal difference and Roma leading the way with 31 points.
Madrid, meanwhile, also sit third in La Liga. They have won nine, drawn one and lost two of their 12 matches, with a total of 28 points leaving them five behind Atletico Madrid and six behind leaders Barcelona, who they lost to in the Camp Nou last month. Goals have not been a problem in recent weeks with 10 strikes in their last two matches.
Juve boss Antonio Conte, speaking at a pre-match press conference, has called on the fans to help their team this evening. He told reporters: “I hope the Juventus Stadium is going to be a boiling cauldron on Tuesday night, so that the fans can push us to victory. We have already shown in Madrid what we can do.”
PREDICTION: Madrid have also scored in each of their last 28 matches in the competition, a run that stretches back until April 2011, when they failed to find the back of the net against Barcelona, which suggests that Juventus will have to score at least once to take something from the match. I believe that will be the case and therefore I am backing a 1-1 draw in Turin.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. It will come as no surprise that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as that famous Champions League tune erupts. The importance of this match cannot be understated. Let's hope for a match full of goals in Italy.
The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Plenty of serious faces among both sets of players this evening. Will it be Tevez that comes to the forefront for Juve? Or will Ronaldo heap more pain on the Italian champions? Be sure to remain with us for the entirety as Madrid get the action underway on this mild evening in Turin.
Juve are in their normal black and white stripes this evening, while Madrid are in orange. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. Tevez attacks down the left almost immediately, but it runs out of play at the final moment. Deafening noise inside the stadium in the opening couple of moments in Turin.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park thus far with the challenges arriving from both teams. Pirlo attempts to create something for the home side, but Khedira clears, before Benzema loses possession down the other end. Neither side has really been allowed to settle thus far with each exchanging periods with the ball.
A poor pass from Khedira almost hands Juve the chance to break, but Tevez just loses control at the vital moment, allowing Varane across to clear the danger. Pogba is allowed to stretch his legs moments later before attempting to feed Llorente, but once more the danger is cleared. No real chances for either side with six minutes on the clock in Turin.
Again it's sloppy from Madrid as Casillas kicks straight out of play under pressure from Tevez, but the following attack comes to nothing. Ronaldo has a half-chance down the other end moments later as he drives into the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Plenty of threat on the counter from Madrid thus far.
The whistles erupt around the stadium as the away side enjoy a period of possession, but Ronaldo loses control at the final moment, allowing Vidal the chance to clear. Khedira take matters into his own hands moments later with a run through midfield, but again the danger is quelled. Extremely tight opening 11 minutes of football in Turin.
Tevez wants a penalty as the Argentine hits the deck inside the box, but the referee is not interested and rightly so. Another poor pass from Khedira hands Llorente a half-chance outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Pepe. Not too much from the likes of Bale and Benzema thus far in Italy.
CHANCE! Bale is finally involved for the away side as he picks the pocket of Caceres inside the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Buffon is down to make the save. Good strength from the Welshman. That is the first attempt that either side has had on goal thus far.
Measured approach from Juventus as they continue to pass and probe outside the Madrid box, but Khedira and Alonso are screening their back four impressively in the early stages. Although the former has been suspect in possession. Vidal has the ball in a wide area moments later, but Marcelo manages to clear. Still goalless with 16 minutes on the clock in this Champions League Group B encounter.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Pogba collects possession in a wide area before threading a low cross into the box, it is almost turned into his own net by Pepe, but Casillas makes the save. Tevez has a half-chance moments later, but a combination of Ramos and Casillas clear. Pogba has been exceptional in the early stages of this contest.
Not too much from Madrid in the last couple of moments as Juventus continue to dominate possession in the final third. However, that was indeed the case in the reverse match, but Madrid were devastating on the counter. You just get the feeling that the home side need to score during this period of the match. Not too much from Madrid aside from a Bale effort.
Half-chance for Ronaldo as the Portuguese collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Juve take control of the possession moments later, but clear chances have been few and far between as Varane clears under the nose of Pogba.
Vidal tries his luck for the home side after collecting a loose ball outside the box, but it is a comfortable save for Casillas. Juve continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the box, but Vidal heads wide before Ramos presents Casillas with a poor back-pass. No question that the away side have looked shaky in the opening 25 minutes.
Another half-chance for the home side as Tevez works the ball to Pirlo, who attempts to curl one into the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The one-way traffic remains as Pogba continues to boss proceedings in midfield. However, Madrid remain a threat on the counter with the pace and power of Ronaldo and Bale.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a wonderful save from Casillas. Tevez puts it on a plate for Llorente, who beats Marcelo in the air, but the Madrid stopper makes a point-blank save. The resulting corner also causes problems inside the Madrid box, but Varane clears. Another chance comes and goes for the home side.
Juventus call for another penalty as Llorente goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Madrid simply cannot keep the ball at the moment as the pressure continues. However, the score remains goalless in Turin. In truth, this type of match is set up perfectly for Madrid on the counter. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
The pressure continues as Llorente wins a header inside the box, allowing Vidal the chance to test Casillas, but his effort is straight into the ground. Madrid break down the other end with Benzema, but the Frenchman loses possession. The away side's midfield is all over the place at the moment. Still goalless with 34 minutes on the clock.
Bale attempts to find the top corner for the away side as he curls one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the crossbar. Juve waste no time in getting the ball down the other end, but Vidal's cross is headed clear by Varane. Just a couple of signs that the away side are starting to warm to the task in Italy. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Juve's tempo just dropping in the final third. Caceres remains a threat down the right, but his crossing has been poor thus far. Pogba strikes one from outside the box moments later, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the home side as Vidal tests Casillas from outside the box, with the Madrid stopper parrying into his own box, but the danger is hooked clear. Marchisio tries his luck moments later, but it deflects behind for another corner, which Bonucci hooks over the crossbar.
PENALTY TO JUVENTUS!
Juventus are awarded a penalty as Varane fells Pogba inside the box. That is a certain spot kick. What a chance for the home side.
GOAL! Juventus 1-0 Real Madrid (Vidal)
Juventus take the lead in Turin as Vidal strokes his penalty into the top corner. It is no more than they deserved. Little over three minutes of the first period remaining.
You just got the feeling that Juventus needed to score during this first period and that is indeed the case. The home supporters are in wonderful voice as we approach the latter stages of the first period. Much work to do for Madrid in the second 45 minutes there is no question about that.
A dangerous free kick from Alonso threatens Juve down the other end, but Barzagli manages to clear at the vital moment. Another opportunity arrives for Madrid moments later, but Ronaldo fires high of the target. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Juventus 1-0 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Juve leading 1-0 at the interval. The decisive moment came after 42 minutes, when Varane felled Pogba inside the box. Vidal stepped up to send a perfect penalty into the top corner. The home side deserve their lead at the interval.
STATISTICS: Juventus have had 52% of the possession in the first period, while they have had 12 attempts to Real Madrid's five. The away side have had their moments through Bale and Ronaldo, but Juve have been on top in the opening 45 minutes. Howard Webb, meanwhile, has been forced to issue three yellow cards in a high-tempo 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH: Juventus also have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Giovinco, Isla and Quagliarella. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have the likes of Angel di Maria, Jese Rodriguez and Isco in reserve. It is the type of match that could be decided from the sidelines. Di Maria would be the obvious change for the away side.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. In Group B's other fixture, Copenhagen are leading Galatasaray 1-0 at the interval, which would throw this group wide open if that remains the case. Sensational noise inside the stadium as the home side get the second half underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. Oh to be a fly on the wall in that Madrid dressing room. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - could be crucial. Bale has a half-chance for the away side as he strikes one from outside the box, but it just moves wide of the post.
Benzema attempts to force the issue for the away side as he collects possession outside the box before driving towards Vidal, but the Juventus goalscorer makes a fine challenge. Seems to be a slight problem for Ronaldo moments later after the Portuguese clashes with Barzagli. However, both players return to their feet.
Chance for Ronaldo to open his legs as he collects a pass from Marcelo, but Caceres is across to make a fine challenge. Tevez has possession down the other end moments later, but Ramos clears the danger at the final moment. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the second period of this Champions League clash.
GOAL! Juventus 1-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Horror mistake from Caceres as the Juventus defender presents the ball to Benzema, who finds Ronaldo inside the box and the Portuguese makes no mistake as he slides into the back of the net. That is his eighth goal in the competition this season.
Ronaldo has now scored 21 goals in his 16 matches for Real Madrid this season. Just stunning. That goal has certainly harmed the atmosphere inside the stadium, with Real Madrid starting to take control of proceedings. Just a reminder that three points for the away side would book their spot in the next round of the competition.
CROSSBAR! Stunning effort from Alonso as the Spaniard meets a bouncing ball outside the box, but his strike smashes off the crossbar. Juventus have not come out for the second period. Madrid are in control of proceedings with little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Turin.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Juventus to take the lead as Pogba's low cross finds Marchisio, but Casillas is on hand to make a fine save. The danger remains inside the box, but Ramos manages to clear. Chances at both ends with 60 minutes on the clock in Turin.
Another half-chance for the home side as Tevez finds some space outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It would not be a surprise to see Juventus boss Conte think about a change in the next five minutes or so.
GOAL! Juventus 1-2 Real Madrid (Bale)
Stunning from Bale as the Welshman collects a pass from Ronaldo before striking a powerful effort into the bottom corner. That is why they paid the money for the former Spurs man. Wow.
As it stands, Real Madrid will win the group. However, you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Juventus break down the other end with Tevez, but he asks too much from Vidal and Casillas is on hand to clear the danger. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in the second period.
Another half-chance for the away side as Ronaldo carries possession into the Juventus box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Buffon is on hand to make the save. Madrid look devastating on the counter at the moment with the pace and movement of Ronaldo and Bale.
GOAL! Juventus 2-2 Real Madrid (Llorente)
Juventus level! It's brilliant from Llorente as the Spaniard wriggles free inside the box before planting his header into the bottom corner. Game on in Turin!
Have we seen the last of the goals? I doubt it. Madrid are down the other end moments later with Bale, but his effort is cleared by Bonucci. It is a surprise that changes have not been made at this point in the second period. The noise inside the stadium is just sensational as we approach the final 20 minutes of action.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Benzema to send Madrid into the lead as he drives into the Juventus box following good work from Modric, but his effort is just wide of the post. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as the chances continue to arrive.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to commit players in the final third. Neither team is prepared to settle for a point, which is not much of a surprise. Madrid make their first change of the match moments later as Illarramendi replaces Alonso, who has tired in the second period.
Poor challenge from Bonucci as the Juventus defender fouls Ramos outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Ronaldo, but his effort is straight into the wall, before he fires high and wide moments later. You just get the feeling that there will be some late drama here. Juventus need to win it is as simple as that.
Another half-chance for Bale as the Welshman finds some space inside the box before attempting to find the back of the net, but Bonucci is across to make a fine challenge. Ronaldo picks up the pieces moments later, but the danger is cleared. Not too much from the home side in the last couple of moments. Another change for Madrid, meanwhile, as Di Maria replaces Bale.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Real Madrid keeping hold of the possession in the final third. Meanwhile, Howard Webb is forced into action to deal with a number of challenges in the middle of the park. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining with the two sides still level at 2-2.
Tevez has a half-chance moments later as he strikes one from outside the box, but Casillas is on hand to make a fine save. Modric attempts to find Di Maria down the other end moments later, but Asamoah clears the danger. Once more the match is opening up with 82 minutes on the clock.
Real Madrid make their third and final change of the match as Benzema is replaced by Jese for the final five minutes of action. Half-chance for Ronaldo moments before after the Portuguese had delivered a low cross into the box, but Bonucci cleared. Juve follow with a change moments later as Tevez departs for Quagilarella.
Shots at either end as Quagilarella tests Casillas, before Jese fires high and wide for Real Madrid moments later. Just a few signs that Madrid have started to settle for a point, but Juve must go for the win in the latter stages. Little over three minutes of football remaining in Turin.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Juve make their final change moments later as Giovinco replaces Llorente. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
Madrid continue to keep hold of the possession in the latter stages as the clock continues to move closer to the final whistle. In truth, a draw is just about a fair reflection of what we have seen this evening. Juventus dominated the first period, but Madrid have been impressive in the second.
FULL-TIME: Juventus 2-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with the scores finishing level at 2-2. It keeps Juventus' hopes of qualification alive, but they will have to do it the hard way. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more Champions League football tomorrow. Until then!
