"This is the best player in world football!"
Allegri stood in front of the home-team bench at Juventus Stadium and shook his head with a sigh, unable to hide his bitterness.
It was nearing the eightieth minute of the second half, and the score was 3–2.
In the sixty-sixth minute of the second half, Juventus earned a penalty after Morata was tripped by Marcelo inside the box. Tevez took it and scored, helping Juventus pull one goal back.
After that, Allegri began making his move. He brought on Llorente, hoping to strengthen the attack.
But just as the Bianconeri's attack began to show signs of life, Yang Yang ruthlessly interrupted their momentum with two threatening shots on quick counterattacks, forcing the Bianconeri to commit more men to defense.
If they did not defend, who knew whether Real Madrid might score again?
Allegri was in a difficult position. He could not decide whether to throw caution to the wind and attack or steady the team and defend.
If Juventus went all-out, they might equalize—but they might also concede another goal to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid had already scored three away goals. That was more than enough. If Juventus gave them another, their trip to the Bernabéu would become even more difficult.
But if Juventus did not push forward, the second leg would be just as difficult.
It was a gamble.
Allegri had almost no cards left to play, but Ancelotti had held onto a trump card from beginning to end!
"He's far too efficient—so efficient that it makes you wonder whether he's even human," Allegri said with a bitter smile.
The assistant coach beside him also wore a helpless expression. Who could disagree?
With those chances in the first half, if it had been anyone else—even a superstar of Cristiano Ronaldo