Allegri Pleased with Juventus’ Victory Over Dortmund in Champions League
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri expressed satisfaction with his team’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, but acknowledged there were missed opportunities.
Speaking to Sky Sport after the match, Allegri was full of praise for his side’s performance, but noted they could have secured a more comfortable lead ahead of the return leg in Germany.
“I’m happy with the victory, we passed an important test against a great team,” Allegri said. “The result is fair, but it could have been better. We had several chances, especially in the second half, where we played well. We played the game we had to play.”
The Serie A giants had to dig deep against a Dortmund side known for their technical prowess and rapid passing game. Allegri’s men controlled much of the match, but their dominance was not reflected in the scoreline until the second half.
“The Champions League round of 16 matches are always difficult,” Allegri continued. “We knew the qualities of this team—technical, fast, and quick in its passing game. We tried to stay compact and restrict their space. When you face such a team, you have to press when necessary and exploit the spaces that appear.”
One of the key moments in the match came after Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini slipped in the first half, allowing Dortmund to create a dangerous chance. However, Allegri credited his team’s mental resilience, particularly after the setback, for staying focused and securing the win.
“We also needed mental strength after the episode with Chiellini’s slip,” he added. “I come out of this match with certainties. We showed our character and focus in key moments.”
Despite Dortmund’s attacking intent, Juventus kept their composure and were clinical in front of goal, putting them in a strong position for the second leg at the Signal Iduna Park.
With Juventus now holding the advantage, Allegri will be hopeful of finishing the job in Germany as they aim to progress to the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier competition.
