Analysis: Juventus

Juventus employed a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Miralem Pjanic sitting behind the midfield line of four, switching to 5-4-1 in defence. The front line of Gonzalo Higuain, supported mainly by Douglas Costa and Mario Mandzukic, channelled Tottenham through the centre to try and stifle their attacking game. The home side lost their defensive dominance after the first half-hour, however, when Spurs started to find better routes through their defence, rather than relying solely on the flanks.

The hosts kept a tight defensive line, conscious of the threat of the visitors when they got in behind. They did struggle to contain Spurs beyond the opening period, however, as Dele Alli and Harry Kane in particular were able to exploit the gaps left between the lines or in the space left between Mattia De Sciglio and Medhi Benatia.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men found it difficult to advance too far up the pitch due to an effective Tottenham high press. This forced Gianluigi Buffon and the back four to play directly into Higuain, who found it difficult to get the better of aerial battles against Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez. Juve were at their most dangerous through fast-paced attacks and counter-attacks featuring the likes of Douglas Costa, Federico Bernardeschi, substitute Rodrigo Bentancur or Mandzukic. The Turin side missed the injured Paolo Dybala, both in the penalty area and in midfield, where Sami Kherida ran out of ideas.

Juventus looked to exploit the areas left by the Spurs defence out wide, from where Douglas Costa and Bernardeschi in particular were able to play crosses into the penalty area. They also tried to use the pace of their attack to get in behind the back four as much as possible.

On the counter-attack, the home side looked for direct passes into Douglas Costa, Bernardeschi or, later in the game, Bentancur. If they started from a more defensive position, they looked for a breakaway run from Higuain.