Coach Massimiliano Allegri
said he was hopeful Juventus can reach the Champions League
quarterfinals after a thrilling comeback earned them a 2-2 draw
in the home leg of their last-16 tie against Bayern Munich.
The Serie A champions appeared out of their depth for
much of Tuesday's match in Turin, with Bayern hogging possession
and frequently causing panic in the home side's defence.
The German giants went 2-0 up thanks to goals by Thomas
Mueller and Arjen Robben either side of half time and Juve
looked to be staring at elimination from Europe's premier
competition.
But rather than capitulating, Juve showed fantastic
character to come back with strikes by Paulo Dybala, who notched
his first Champions League goal, and substitute midfielder
Stefano Sturaro.
The hosts even had a chance to grab a late winner, with
Paul Pogba coming close.
"Sometimes it's difficult to get words out," Allegri said
on his Twitter account, @OfficialAllegri, ahead of the return
leg in Munich on March 16.
"The emotion of the night, our never-ending heart... You
know what i say? #Ibelieve! (#iocicredo!)".
Although Bayern looked on a different level for much of
the match, Juventus can consider themselves unlucky with some of
the referee's decisions.
They should have been awarded a penalty in the first
half, when the score was still 0-0, for handball by Bayern's
former Juve midfielder Arturo Vidal.
And Robben's goal was tainted by a foul in the build-up
that led to it.
"We showed the pride of a great team who had taken a lot
of punishment and reacted fantastically," Juve's Italy defender
Leonardo Bonucci said on his Facebook page.
"We must continue from the second half. We need to have
the same attitude in Germany.
"We put ourselves back in contention to qualify.
"There'll be suffering in the return leg, but we can do
it".
Juve can now divert their attention back to the domestic
championship.
The Turin side, who are aiming for a fifth consecutive
Serie A, are one point ahead of second-placed Napoli ahead of
Sunday's home game against fifth-placed Inter.
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