Villarreal and Juventus shared the points in a thrilling Champions League clash that ended 2–2. Georges Mikautadze gave the hosts the lead before Juventus turned it around through Federico Gatti and Francisco Conceição, only for Renato Veiga’s late header to rescue a draw. Israel Schmidt de Azevedo breaks down the tactical battle.

Villarreal v Juventus began with the home side on the front foot, pressing high and seeking an early goal. Juventus adapted by shifting Pierre Kalulu from right centre-back into a traditional right-back role, while Gatti and Lloyd Kelly tucked inside as central defenders. Juan Cabal dropped deeper from his wing-back role to operate as a left-back. Manuel Locatelli anchored midfield, with Andrea Cambiaso drifting inside from the right and Weston McKennie pushing left. Kenan Yıldız and Teun Koopmeiners narrowed into central midfield positions, leaving Jonathan David isolated up front for counter-attacking opportunities.

Villarreal’s attacking structure rotated constantly. Georges Mikautadze switched flanks between central forward and left-sided roles, often supported by Tajon Buchanan and Nicolas Pépé as second attackers. Dani Parejo and Pape Gueye alternated central roles, with Álex Baena and Santi Comesaña providing width. Villarreal held a very high line, with the defence stationed on halfway and full-backs positioned narrow.

In the 14th minute, Pépé combined with Mikautadze, driving into the area before his shot was deflected by Gatti. The rebound fell to Gueye, but his effort lacked direction. Four minutes later, Villarreal produced a slick transition: Ilias Akhomach found Comesaña, who released Parejo. His defence-splitting pass sent Mikautadze clear, and after regaining his balance from contact, the striker finished clinically for 1–0.

The hosts almost doubled their lead when Alfonso Pedraza burst forward and struck the crossbar after Wojciech Szczęsny parried his initial shot. Juventus responded with their own pressing shape: David and Koopmeiners led the first line, supported by wide midfield roles for Yıldız and Cambiaso. Gatti and Kelly held a deeper line alongside Kalulu and Cabal.

Juventus’s best first-half chance came in the 22nd minute when McKennie surged down the right and crossed. The ball broke to Cambiaso, whose shot was blocked by Jorge Cuenca. From the rebound, McKennie headed goalwards, forcing Filip Jörgensen into a superb reflex save. Villarreal threatened again on the counter in the 43rd minute when Pépé released Gueye, whose pass reached Buchanan, but his shot was comfortably saved by Mattia Perin.

After the break, Juventus immediately looked sharper. In the 47th minute, Kalulu’s long pass released Francisco Conceição, who squared for David. Unmarked inside the box, he somehow shot wide. Just two minutes later, Juventus equalised. From a throw-in, Kelly flicked the ball into the box, and Gatti’s bicycle kick bounced awkwardly. Jörgensen misjudged it, allowing the ball to creep in for 1–1.

The turnaround was complete in the 56th minute. Parejo gave the ball away cheaply, and Conceição pounced, dribbling past two defenders before finishing past Jörgensen at the near post. Juventus had further chances, most notably in the 72nd minute when Yıldız backheeled to McKennie, whose deflected pass found David. He struck the crossbar before Conceição crossed for McKennie, who narrowly missed with a header.

Villarreal snatched a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute when Veiga rose unmarked at a corner to head home, sealing a 2–2 draw.

The first half belonged to Villarreal, who created the clearer chances and deserved their lead. Juventus improved after the interval, with Conceição’s introduction transforming the match. But just as Massimiliano Allegri’s side looked set to complete a comeback victory, defensive lapses gifted the hosts a leveller.

Written by Israel Schmidt de Azevedo