Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury to score his 125th Champions League goal, though Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax in the first leg of their quarter-final in Amsterdam.
After beating holders Real Madrid in the previous round, Ajax again put up a valiant effort against one of Europe’s giants and deserved the superb equaliser scored by David Neres less than a minute after half-time.
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The goal was Cristiano Ronaldo’s 125th in the Champions League
Having missed four games with a thigh injury, Ronaldo was back in the starting line-up and back among the goals, heading in the opener in the 45th minute for his eighth goal in his last five Champions League matches against Ajax.
That goal gives the Italians an advantage heading to Turin but, after Ajax’s 4-1 victory in the Bernabeu last month, Juve will know they still have work to do.
The visitors had the first attempt on goal when Federico Bernardeschi sent a strong effort over the bar in the second minute, but Ajax had most of the better chances for the rest of the first half.
Hakim Ziyech was a thorn in Juventus’ side and he produced two good shots from range before forcing Wojciech Szczesny into a fine save when he finished off a spell of pressure by curling a 20-yard effort towards the top corner.
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Andre Onana couldn’t keep out Ronaldo’s header
Donny van de Beek had an even better opening in the 25th minute when he was found by Dusan Tadic 15 yards out but his first touch was heavy and he could only drill a shot wide.
Juve had threatening moments, with Bernardeschi sending another shot wide in the 37th minute, and when a clear opportunity finally arrived inevitably it was Ronaldo who took it.
He had been largely anonymous but played the ball out to Joao Cancelo on the right and then burst all alone into the centre of the penalty area, where he directed a flying header into the net. Andre Onana got a hand to the ball but had little chance of keeping it out.
The scoreline was harsh on Ajax, but they were level straight from the restart. Neres dispossessed Cancelo on the left-hand touchline and drove into the box before curling a superb effort into the far corner.
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David Neres’ strike stunned Wojciech Szczesny
Ajax immediately went in search of a second and Nicolas Tagliafico fired into the side netting while Neres had the ball in the net again but was clearly offside.
Ronaldo appealed for a penalty in the 53rd minute after feeling he had been pulled back as he tried to get on the end of Bernardeschi’s free-kick but, after a quick VAR check, the officials were in agreement that it was not a foul.
The vast majority of the pressure was coming from Ajax, though, as they continued to demonstrate that their upset of Real was just as much about their excellence as the difficulties of their opponents.
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Juventus were the happier side at full time
Substitute Jurgen Ekkelenkamp came closest to finding a winner in the 83rd minute but could not get enough power on the effort to beat Szczesny.
Ajax then had to ride their luck as Juve substitute Douglas Costa, returning from two months out with a thigh injury, raced into the area and crashed a shot against the far post.
Ronaldo heads crucial away goal to put Juventus in pole
Ajax 1-1 Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo heads crucial away goal to put Italians in pole position. The Portuguese star put Juve one up before David Neres equalised early in the second half. juventus - TalkSport 2:19pm PDT - April 10th, 2019
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Cristiano Ronaldo's away goal put Juventus in pole position in their tie with Ajax AFP David Neres celebrates his equaliser just before half-time at Amsterdam Arena Getty Having missed four games with a thigh injury, Ronaldo was back in the starting line-up and back among the goals, heading in the opener in the 45th minute for his eighth goal
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Ajax 1-1 Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo heads crucial away goal to put Italians in pole position The Portuguese star put Juve one up before David Neres equalised early in the second half By talkSPORT
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Ajax 1-1 Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo heads crucial away goal to put Italians in pole position Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 11, 2019 Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury to score his 125th Champions League goal, though Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax in the first leg of their quarter-final in Amsterdam.
Cristiano Ronaldo away goal gives Juventus the first-leg edge
Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury to score his 125th Champions League goal, though Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax in the first leg of their quarter-final in Amsterdam. After beating holders Real Madrid in the previous round, Ajax again put up a valiant effort against one of Europe's giants and deserved the superb equaliser
Ajax 1-1 Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo heads crucial away goal
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