24-year-old midfielder Federico Gatti scored the only goal to help Juventus beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on the evening of April 13.
Final result Juventus vs Sporting Lisbon (1-0)
Score: Gatti (73′)
In Turin, Juventus failed to create an overwhelming position when controlling the ball 41%, finishing nine times with three shots on target, compared to 15 and 6 for the opponent. But “Old lady” made better use of it and found the decisive goal in the 73rd minute. From Angel Di Maria’s cross on the right, Dusan Vlahovic’s header from near the wall was saved by Sebastian Coates before the rush line. But Gatti hit the back stone into an empty net, scoring his first goal in a Juventus shirt.
After the match, Gatti dedicated the goal to him – who passed away in December 2022. The Italian said he burst into tears of pride when he signed for Juventus, so this first goal is something he has been looking forward to.
Yesterday, Juventus were slightly better in the first half, while Sporting put great pressure in the second half, especially at the end of the game. In the 89th minute, Hector Bellerin crossed from the right to Hidemasa Morita’s header to miss the post. In injury time, substitute goalkeeper Mattia Perin shined when he pushed Pedro Goncalves’ buffer and Bellerin’s back-kick.
The match in Turin was interrupted for a few minutes at the end of the first half, when Wojciech Szczesny repeatedly touched his chest and spoke to teammate Gleison Bremer, who then urged medical staff to come on. After a few minutes, Szczesny informed Coach Allegri that he could not continue playing and left the field in tears.
After the match, the Polish goalkeeper revealed that he had undergone the necessary medical checks and everything was fine. Szczesny said he cried because he felt very scared and worried when he had never experienced a similar situation.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper also joked to break the anxiety and praised Perin – who stood next to him in the interview. “I knew in advance that Perin would have a double save in injury time. Oh no, Sporting players always hit Perin,” Szczesny said. “It’s a pity that Carlo Pinsoglio didn’t come on, otherwise he would have saved a hat-trick. Perin is better said, I’m just handsome.”
Perin went on to refer to number three goalkeeper Pinsoglio when he said: “We have this great synergy and Pinsoglio helps us unite and improve. We joke around, but are serious and professional when needed. “.
This weekend, Juventus will be Sassuolo’s guest in the 30th round of Serie A, while Sporting will play Arouca in the 28th round of the Portuguese league, before a rematch at the Jose Alvalade stadium on April 20.
Juventus vs Sporting Lisbon Line-ups
Juventus: Szczesny; (Perin 41); Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cuadrado, Locatelli (Paredes 85), Rabiot, Kostic (Fagioli 63); Di Maria (Pogba 85), Chiesa; Milik (Vlahovic 63).
Sporting: Adan; St.Juste (Diomande 45), Inacio, Coates; Esgaio (Bellerin 77), Gonçalves, Morita, Nuno Santos (Reis 63); Edwards (Issahaku 77), Chermiti (Gomes 63), Trincao.