(Football news) Juventus got a narrow 1-0 win over Sporting in the 1st leg of the Europa quarter finals as they took a small step towards the last four of the Europa League. Federico Gatti’s goal in the second half gave the hosts a 1-0 victory as Massimiliano Allegri changed his entire formation after their 2-1 loss to Lazio in Serie A on Saturday. Allegri opted for a more attacking formation, one with three forwards, but they still created very few chances.
The first proper chance for Juve fell to Federico Chiesa as he fired a shot from an acute angle from inside the box which Antonio Adan easily parried away the shot. Sporting dominated possession the entire match and had plenty of opportunities to score in the first half. The Uruguayan international Sebastian Coates had a header saved by Wojciech Szczesny before Bremer cleared a Nuno Santos shot off the line.
Juve’s injury woes struck again as Szczesny was replaced shortly before the break. The Poland international seemed unwell and held his chest as he was replaced by second choice goalkeeper Mattia Perin. Szczesny took himself out as it looked like a genuine health scare. Dusan Vlahovic helped turn their fortunes after the 73rd minute with a header which was blocked by Coates but the youngster Gatti bundled the rebound in from close range.
Paul Pogba made his first appearance in the Europa League this season when he came on to replace Angel Di Maria. Perin then turned hero as he produced a superb double save in stoppage time. The result continued Sporting’s winless run in Italy as their four of their 16 games here have resulted in draws, while 12 have ended in defeat. But despite the loss Sporting can be confident of winning the second leg next Thursday at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.
“I am fine, I was a little anxious, but we did all the tests and everything is fine,” Szczesny told Sky Sport Italia. “I was scared, it had never happened to me before, I was struggling to breathe and it really worried me.”
Also read: Europa League: Manchester United squander two goal lead to draw 2-2 against Sevilla
