Europa League: Juventus advance to the semi-finals

• Sporting CP hosted Juventus in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals 
• Juventus headed into the match with a 1-0 advantage after a victory in Turin a week ago
• A 1-1 draw meant Juventus advanced to the semi-finals thanks to a 2-1 aggregate victory

Juventus advanced to the Europa League semi-finals after a 1-1 draw against Sporting CP at Estadio Jose Alvalade clinching a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Adrien Rabiot scored early in the second leg to double Juve’s lead in the tie after Federico Gatti had given them a slender advantage in last week’s reverse fixture at Allianz Stadium, buoyed by the news that their 15-point deduction in Serie A for financial breaches had been suspended.

Sporting’s Marcus Edwards immediately equalized from the penalty spot following Rabiot’s foul on Manuel Ugarte, but the Bianconeri held firm.

Juventus will compete in a European semi-final for the first time since the 2016-17 season and will face Sevilla for a place in the final after Sevilla eliminated Manchester United.

Rabiot was quickest to a loose ball in the area from a corner and hammered it into the bottom left corner, giving Juve the lead after only nine minutes.

When Rabiot pulled down Ugarte in the area, referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot, and Edwards fired the ball right down the middle as Wojciech Szczesny dived to his left, Sporting were given a chance to draw the game.

The hosts came close to tying the game on aggregate when Ousmane Diomande nodded just wide before halftime, and they came even closer after the break when Dusan Vlahovic failed to get his header on target.

Courage display sees Juventus advance in the Europa League

Juventus players celebrate after Adrien Rabiot scored against Sporting CP in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals second leg on Thursday, April 20 2023. | PHOTO: UEFA |

Sporting pushed for a goal to force extra time and nearly got one when Ricardo Esgaio fired just over the crossbar, but Massimiliano Allegri’s men held on to advance to the last four.

With only a one-goal advantage and facing a Sporting squad that was unbeaten in six home games in all competitions, Juve could have fallen in front of a raucous home crowd.

But Rabiot’s goal eased the nerves, and despite Edwards’ goal and some nervous moments late on, Juventus deserved to advance after limiting the Portuguese side to just two shots on goal.

It capped a bright day for Juve, who climbed to third in Serie A after regaining their 15 points, albeit the FIGC Federal Court of Appeal will re-examine the case, meaning the Turin giants might still face a penalty.

Having played for Sporting’s rivals Porto between 2011 and 2015, veteran full-back Alex Sandro had a great game on his return to Portugal.

No Juve player had more successful tackles (two), interceptions (two) and clearances (eight) than him, helping his side to see the game out.