UEFA Champions League
Result: Ajax Amsterdam 1-1 Juventus
Date: 10 April 2019
Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena
Cristiano Ronaldo netted a vital away goal on his return for Juventus, who drew 1-1 with Ajax Amsterdam in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Bianconeri made four changes from their victory over AC Milan in their last outing, as Ronaldo returned to the side alongside Joao Cancelo, Miralem Pjanic and Blaise Matuidi. The Dutch side dominatd possession in the early stages and they almost opened the scoring through Hakim Ziyech in the 18th minute whose curling strike towards the top left corner was parried away by Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The Old Lady's first real opportunity came on the half-hour mark after biding their time before venturing forward with Ronaldo, who went close with a first-time volley. Massimiliano Allegri's ended the half on a stronger note, which culminated in the opening goal as Ronaldo found the back of the net with a thumping header following a good cross in the area by Cancelo. However, David Neres produced a moment of brilliance inside the first minute of the second stanza, after sending a left-footed strike into the top right corner, giving Szczesny no chance. Allegri responded with his first change on the hour-mark as Mario Mandzukic made way for Douglas Costa, with Ronaldo taking a more central role. The Juve boss was forced to make his second change with 15 minutes remaining as Matuidi succumbed to injury and had to make for Paulo Dybala. With five minutes remaining, Costa almost snatched the winner after charging his way into the box and unleashed a low strike that against crashed the far post as the encounter ended all square.
