Juventus deny Dortmund with last-gasp fightback in eight-goal epic
TURIN, Italy : Dusan Vlahovic and Lloyd Kelly scored in stoppage time to inspire a dramatic Juventus escape as they secured a 4-4 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, with all eight goals coming after the break.
The hosts trailed 4-2 when substitute Vlahovic grabbed his second of the night in the fourth minute of stoppage time, before he set up Kelly two minutes later to secure a point.
Man-of-the-match Vlahovic, who came on just before the hour mark, was disappointed not to have completed his hat-trick.
"To prove yourself you always need hunger. I’m never satisfied and tonight I wanted a third goal," he told Sky Sport.
"The important thing is we didn’t lose, so we keep moving forward."
The first half gave little indication of the drama to follow, with Juventus going closest when Khephren Thuram’s deflected strike forced a sharp save from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
Dortmund found the breakthrough eight minutes after the restart as Karim Adeyemi rifled a precise shot into the far corner from just outside the box.
They nearly doubled their lead when Serhou Guirassy was denied by a reflex stop from Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio.
The hosts drew level in the 63rd minute through Kenan Yildiz, who collected the ball on the edge of the area, steadied himself and bent a superb shot into the far corner to ignite the Juventus fans.
The celebrations were short-lived, however, as Felix Nmecha restored Dortmund’s advantage barely two minutes later with a crisp first-time finish from distance.
The game’s tempo showed no sign of slowing, and by the 68th minute Juventus were level once more, Vlahovic racing onto a perfectly weighted pass to slot past Kobel.
The frenzy continued in the 74th minute, when Yan Couto’s low strike squirmed between Di Gregorio and the post to put Dortmund back in front.
The visitors were awarded a penalty four minutes from time after Kelly was penalised for handball, with Ramy Bensebaini converting from the spot.
Juve launched a last-ditch offensive and deep into stoppage time, Vlahovic struck again from a well-placed cross before turning provider for Kelly, who headed in the equaliser.
A lengthy VAR review for a possible offside held up the celebrations, before the Allianz Stadium erupted once more as the equalising goal was confirmed.
Juventus scored four goals for a second straight match after their 4-3 league win over Inter Milan on Saturday, but coach Igor Tudor stressed the need for his side to tighten up defensively.
"I've already had enough of this type of match," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"We are conceding too many, at least we're scoring a lot too, but we cannot carry on like this. It was so difficult in the second half to keep the energy levels up three days after an incredibly tough match."
