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Antonio Calanni
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Juventus v Man United, Champions League

Juventus hosted Man United, with Jose Mourinho’s side seeking to boost their hopes of progression from the group stages.

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Kick off for the game is at 8pm.

Juventus v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League - Group H - Juventus Stadium A Juventus fan before the game. John Walton John Walton

So who do you think will win tonight?


Poll Results:

Juventus (685)
Man United (370)
Draw (164)

We’re under way…

Juventus have largely dominated the opening stages, with a Ronaldo volley just deflected out for a corner.

United did have one promising early attack, but Ashley Young badly overhit a cross out of play.

Rodrigo Bentancur receives the ball on the edge of the area and the Uruguayan international’s shot goes narrowly wide.

Shortly thereafter, Nemanja Matic gets booked for a rash challenge on Paulo Dybala.

Juventus v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League - Group H - Juventus Stadium Manchester United's Paul Pogba (left) and Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo embrace prior to kick-off. John Walton John Walton

Jose Mourinho will probably be happy enough with how his side have started this game.

United, while not doing too much going forward, have generally looked comfortable as Juve patiently probe to find an opening.

Juventus have had 55% possession so far, but the hosts haven’t done much of note with the ball.

The Italians so far have not shown the level of dominance they clearly displayed for much of the first half and part of the second at Old Trafford.

United get a free kick in a promising position about 30 yards out.

Sanchez can only fire it into the wall, however.

Cuadrado’s shot deflects off Matic, forcing De Gea to make a good save.

Good concentration from the Spanish goalkeeper, given that he has not had much to do so far.

Juventus miss their best chance of the game so far.

A Ronaldo cross finds Sami Khedira, who scuffs his close-rang shot, which hits the post before deflecting away to safety.

The 31-year-old German international really should have scored there, while United are starting to look more vulnerable, having enjoyed a decent start to the game.

Ronaldo gets the better of Luke Shaw down the right, but there is no attacker in the correct position to capitalise on the Portuguese star’s dangerous cross.

Herrera eventually gathers the ball and clears it to safety, as United breathe another sigh of relief.

HALF-TIME: JUVENTUS 0-0 MAN UNITED

So half-time and it’s all square.

Juventus have been the better side, missing a couple of decent chances, without looking as impressive as they appeared at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture.

United, one or two nervy moments aside, have looked relatively solid at the back while rarely threatening at the other end.

As it stands, both sides will probably be happy enough. A draw would ensure Juve qualify for the next round, while it would take the Red Devils back to second in the group, ahead of Valencia on goal difference. 

Italy Soccer Champions League Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira, bottom, reacts after missing a scoring chance. Antonio Calanni Antonio Calanni

The second half has begun…

Dybala takes the ball on the edge of the box and is given far too much space by the United defence to turn and produce a lovely curling effort that comes back off the crossbar.

It’s another let-off for the visitors, as Juve hit the woodwork for the second time in this game.

Juventus are looking increasingly strong as this game develops, with United going long periods without the ball.

That said, the Italians are still struggling to create clear-cut chances.

Juventus make a change.

Sami Khadira comes off, with France international Blaise Matuidi taking his place.

Luke Shaw does well to get his head to Ronaldo’s cross just in front of the onrushing Cuadrado.

United have defended impressively this evening.

JUVENTUS 1-0 MAN UNITED (RONALDO 65)

Juventus are ahead and there are no prizes for guessing the goalscorer.

Ronaldo scores his first Champions League goal for the Italians with an absolutely phenomenal strike.

The Portuguese star latches on to Bonucci’s inch-perfect long ball and volleys an unstoppable first-time effort past De Gea.

The fact that he hit that ball so perfectly despite the difficulty in controlling it coming over the shoulder epitomises what a genius he is when it comes to goalscoring and technique.

Cuadrado tees up Pjanic, who side-foots it wide from about 12 yards out.

That all emanated from Paul Pogba losing the ball. The France international has been awful tonight.

Moments later, Cuadrado shoots just over from the edge of the box, after being set up by Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, United have reacted to that goal by bringing on Rashford for Lingard.

Pjanic almost scores another wondergoal.

The Bosnian playmaker’s strike from distance eludes the top corner by a matter of inches.

Man United make a double change as they search for an equaliser.

Mata and Fellaini replace Herrera and Sanchez.

Juventus make a change, as they attempt to see this game out.

Mattia De Sciglio is replaced by 37-year-old World Cup winner Andrea Barzagli.

JUVENTUS 1-1 MAN UNITED (MATA 86)

Out of nothing, Mata scores an equaliser, having only just come on the pitch.

He curls in a lovely free kick from the edge of the area, after Pogba had been initially fouled.

What an impact from the Spanish star!

MAN UNITED 2-1 JUVENTUS (SANDRO OWN GOAL 88)

Incredibly, United are now leading.

An Ashley Young in-swinging free kick is saved by Wojciech Szczęsny, but the rebound deflects off Bonucci and then Sandro into the back of the net.

Rashford has a chance to seal it, as he goes one-on-one with Wojciech Szczęsny.

The goalkeeper makes a good save though, to deflect it out for a corner.

FULL-TIME: JUVENTUS 1-2 MAN UNITED

So that’s that.

What a finish to the game!

United barely looked like scoring for long periods, before a late flurry got them over the line.

The substitutions were undoubtedly key. Mata and Fellaini had a big influence in the short time they were on the field, creating panic in their opponents’ defence.

The hosts, by contrast, so assured for much of the confidence, suddenly looked uncomfortable after the introduction of Andrea Barzagli and the switch of system to three at the back.

A win over Young Boys and a draw with Valencia will now see Jose Mourinho’s side go through, and you would suspect the momentum from this big win will be a huge boost to United’s Champions League campaign and their season in general.

Juventus v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League - Group H - Juventus Stadium Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (centre) cups Juventus' Paulo Dybala's (left) ear after the final whistle. John Walton John Walton

Right, that’s all from me for now, but we’ll have more reaction to follow.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

You can read our match report here.

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