Juventus avoids meeting big teams in knockout round thanks to comeback win over Sevilla

The 3-1 victory at Sevilla on November 22 helped the Serie A representative qualify for the Champions League group stage with one match early.

Sevilla entered the fifth round of the group stage as group H winners and needed only a result to secure a place in the next round with one game left to play. But Juventus did not spoil the beautiful scenario that the Andalusian team was waiting for.

After falling behind early, Juventus managed to equalise 1-1 just before half-time, setting the stage for an explosive end-of-the-match display. Bonucci marked his selection as a candidate for the UEFA Team of the Year 2016 with a strike to make it 2-1 in the 84th minute. In the fourth minute of injury time in the second half, striker Mandzukic dribbled past both defenders and goalkeeper, neatly finishing off a quick counter-attack, sealing a 3-1 victory for the Serie A giants.

Sevilla failed to maintain the advantage they had early on.

With 11 points after five matches, Juventus became the first team in Group H to qualify. Not only that, they also have a huge advantage to take the top spot in the group, avoiding meeting the big teams in the knockout round, because in the last round, coach Allegri and his team will play at home and only have to face the bottom team in the group - Dinamo Zagreb.

Sevilla, who have a wide chance of advancing, will have to fight a decisive match at Lyon in the final round. But with three more points than the French representative, the Europa League champions' task becomes easier, as they only need a draw. Lyon must win at all costs, even by two goals to overcome Sevilla and qualify for the next round.

The turning point of yesterday's match at the Sanchez Pizjuan came in the 36th minute, when the home side's Franco Vazquez was sent off for an indirect red card. Before that, things had been going well for Sevilla when centre-back Nicolas Pareja stepped up to take part in a corner kick, volleying accurately past Buffon in the 9th minute.

In a 10 vs 11 situation, Sevilla gradually lost the advantage, and lost the lead in the second minute of injury time in the first half. Their defender Gabriel Mercado pulled down Bonucci in the 16m50 area and from the 11m mark, Machisio made no mistake when facing goalkeeper Rico, creating a very favorable psychological premise for Juventus in the second half.

However, despite pressing after the break, the "Old Lady" had to wait until the 84th minute to score a second goal and take the lead. Bonucci joined the attack and seized the opportunity to finish neatly after home defender Mercado failed to clear the ball from Dani Alves' free kick from the right.

Bonucci increased the score to 2-1, giving Juventus the advantage to win. Photo: EPA.

The second goal forced Sevilla to stretch themselves to find an equalizer, but not only did they fail to achieve their goal, they were also hit back in the last minute of injury time. From Marchisio's pass, Mandzukic ran up to break the offside trap, face and trick goalkeeper Rico, ending all hopes of Sevilla getting a point.

According to VNE