Ronaldo got the glory, but Allegri deserves the credit

The performance we saw from Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday displayed the exact type of magic Juventus signed him to provide this summer.

However, the person who really deserves credit for the Juventus comeback is Massimiliano Allegri. His changes for the second leg took Juventus from looking lifeless in the first leg to lighting up one of the world’s best defenses. It couldn’t have come at a better time for Allegri either as fans were calling for him to be replaced after the first leg.

The first leg against Atletico Madrid saw Allegri start Paulo Dybala on the right wing and Mattia De Sciglio at right back, two moves that rendered the attack essentially useless. Even Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t able to provide any kind of a threat against his former crosstown rival. These two decisions by Allegri looked like they would cost Juventus their shot at the Champions League trophy they have been chasing for over 2 decades. Then he finally brought out the best version of Juve for the home leg.

I had been calling for Dybala to benched in favor of Douglas Costa or Federico Bernardeschi in big matches throughout the season. Unfortunately, Allegri wasn’t so eager to bench his young star. When he finally did start Bernardeschi on Tuesday it completely changed the Juve attack. With a natural winger on the right side Juve was suddenly able to attack consistently down both wings and flood Atletico’s box with crosses, which led directly to the first two goals. Allegri bringing Cancelo back into the starting lineup strengthened the Juve attack even further as he has essentially served as another wing for Juve this season, using his pace and creativity to open space for dangerous crosses.

Allegri’s decision to start Emre Can over Rodrigo Bentancur wasn’t one that seemed like it would make a huge difference before the match started, but Can made the move pay off. He passed the ball well as he helped Juve build their attack against the well-organized Atletico defense and also solidified the defense when he dropped back to help cover for any defenders who joined the attack. Having him to protect the back line when Cancelo, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Giorgio Chiellini made forward runs gave Juve a ton of freedom in the attack and Cancelo took advantage of it.

While it may seem like Ronaldo put in another incredible individual performance like we’ve seen

More from Champions League

• PSV Eindhoven v Rangers: Can Gers make it through to group stage?
• Manchester City win their first Champions League
• Champions League Final: Manchester City meets Internazionale in Istanbul
• Manchester City standing on the cusp of a treble
• Barcelona Femeni win their second Champions League title

from him the past, the truth is that the introductions of Can, Cancelo, and Bernardeschi paved the way for him to be able to score his decisive hat trick. That in no way takes away from what Ronaldo accomplished on Tuesday, but his headed goals wouldn’t have been possible without incredible crosses from Bernardeschi and Cancelo. Bernardeschi was also responsible for Ronaldo’s 3rd goal as Bernardeschi’s run forced the foul that gave Ronaldo his chance to step up to the penalty spot.

I have never been Allegri’s biggest fan as he has shown a tendency to make mistakes in the Champions League, but he was at his absolute best on Tuesday and deserves to have praise heaped on him this week.

Now let’s just hope he gets it right in the first leg in the quarterfinals so such heroics aren’t necessary again.