Juventus forced to share spoils with Shakhtar

The Bianconeri failed to win the first European match at their new home as Alex Teixeira’s opener earned the visitors a Group E point.

FC Shakhtar Donetsk were unfortunate not to leave Turin with three points as the first European match at the Juventus Stadium finished 1-1.

Having overturned a 2-0 deficit to earn a draw at Chelsea FC on matchday one, Juventus fell behind again on 23 minutes when Alex Teixeira gave Shakhtar a deserved lead. The Bianconeri levelled within two minutes, Leonardo Bonucci finishing superbly, but were hanging on late in the game as Shakhtar joined Chelsea – 4-0 winners at FC Nordsjælland – on four points at the Group E summit.

Shakhtar were anything but intimidated in the early stages and went close to the breakthrough in the sixth minute when a clever back-heel by Willian allowed Răzvan Raţ to charge clear on the left. The Romanian international found Henrik Mkhitaryan at the far post with a low cross yet the in-form Armenia forward sent his shot over with just Gianluigi Buffon to beat.

It was the team in orange who were shining brightest, Alex Teixeira giving a glimpse of what was to come by dribbling past four Juventus defenders as if they were cones lined up for a training exercise. Andrea Pirlo responded by slipping Claudio Marchisio in behind the Shakthar defence with a wonderful pass, but the midfielder fired over.

The first UEFA Champions League goal at the Juventus Stadium went to the visitors from Ukraine midway through the half, the lively Willian teeing up Alex Teixeira, who found the roof of the net with a right-footed shot.

The Italian champions replied from the first meaningful attack after the goal as centre-back Bonucci connected with Pirlo’s corner and drove the ball just over the head of Raţ, stationed on the near post. Moments before the interval, Bonucci went close to scoring his second in almost identical fashion. This time goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov repelled the danger with his feet.

As the hour approached both sides had opportunities. A Willian shot whistled narrowly past Buffon’s left post after a counterattack orchestrated by Yaroslav Rakitskiy and Mkhitaryan, while Alessandro Matri could not turn in a pass from substitute Sebastian Giovinco at close range.

Shakhtar continued to have the better of the play. Srna forced Buffon into a difficult save with a well-taken free-kick before the Italy No1 looked relieved to see Mkhitaryan’s shot flash wide. Mircea Lucescu’s side continued to work chances until the end, including a Willian effort which hit the bar in added time.