Lyon 1-0 Juventus: Lucas Tousart secures victory for Ligue 1 side

Lyon 1-0 Juventus: Serie A giants BEATEN in Champions League last-16 first leg as Lucas Tousart hits winner to leave Cristiano Ronaldo and Co facing uphill task to qualify after failing to record a single shot on target

Juventus avoided defeat by Lyon in Champions League last-16 first leg clash
Lucas Tousart struck after half hour to open the scoring at Groupama Stadium
Juventus did not register a single shot on target throughout the entire game
Lyon are only the second team all season to prevent Juventus scoring a goal

Lyon secured an impressive Champions League last-16 first-leg victory at home to Juventus thanks to Lucas Tousart’s first-half goal.

The Ligue 1 side went ahead when the midfielder stole into the box to turn home Houssem Aouar’s left-wing cross.

Lyon then produced a defensive masterclass to prevent their opponents manufacturing a clear chance, although they did survive several penalty shouts and a Juventus goal disallowed for offside.

Lyon took the lead on the half-hour mark through midfielder Lucas Tousart’s close range strike

Tousart was lurking unmarked inside the six-yard box to turn home Houssem Aouar’s cross

This was Lyon’s first-ever win over Juventus and ensured they would travel to Turin on March 17 for the second leg with an advantage to defend.

The defeat also brought to an end Maurizio Sarri’s run of 22 games unbeaten across all European competitions after leading Chelsea to Europa League glory last season.

The Serie A champions started well but failed to provide a meaningful threat after falling behind and when Paulo Dybala saw his strike ruled out their chances of adding a vluable away goal vanished.

Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot tries to win the ball in midfield in a tussle with goalscorer Tousart

Juventus’ Wojciech Szczesny is left helpless as Karl Toko Ekambi hits the bar with a header

Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo attempts to get his side moving forward in France

About 2,700 Juventus fans travelled from Piedmont, a region neighbouring the coronavirus-hit Lombardy, as the game went ahead as planned despite concern over the virus.

After a cagey start, Lyon made a clear chance when Karl Toko-Ekambi’s header at the near post from Houssem Aouar’s corner hit the crossbar.

The Portuguese was left frustrated with Juventus unable to hit the target in the first 80 minutes

Szczesny rises to gather the ball as it in delivered into the box by a Lyon attacker

MATCH FACTS

LYON: Lopes, Denayer, Marcelo, Marcal, Dubois (Tete 77), Tousart, Aouar, Guimaraes, Toko Ekambi (Terrier 66), Cornet (Andersen 80), Dembele

GOAL: Tousart 31

BOOKED: Marcelo, Cornet

SUBS NOT USED: Traore, Mendes, Caqueret, Tatarusanu

JUVENTUS: Szczezny, Danilo, Bonucci, de Ligt, Alex Sandro, Bentancur, Pjanic (Ramsey 62), Rabiot (Bernadeschi 77), Cuadrado (Giguain 70), Dybala, Ronaldo

SUBS NOT USED: De Sciglio, Matuidi, Rugani, Buffon

Aouar then burst into the area and delivered a cutback that Tousart placed into the top corner from close range to put the French side ahead after 31 minutes.

Juve were at the time down to 10 men as Mathias De Ligt was getting treatment for blood on his head after being accidentally stamped on by team mate Alex Sandro.

The visitors threatened through Ronaldo but the Portuguese shot just wide at the end of a counter-attack as Juve looked short on confidence.

The Italian side increased the pressure after the interval as Lyon tried to sit back and hope to hurt Maurizio Sarri’s team on the break.

Paulo Dybala went close for Juve with a volley, substitute Gonzalo Higuain wasted a couple of chances and Dybala had a goal ruled out for offside as Lyon held firm.