Arda Turan's late goal handed Atletico Madrid all three points in their Champions League Group A clash with Italian champions Juventus on Wednesday evening.
Both sides struggled to create opportunities in what was a close-fought encounter, but Turan's effort 15 minutes from time secured all the points for last season's finalists.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two European rivals.
Match statistics
Atletico
Shots: 8
On target: 2
Possession: 38%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 21
Juventus
Shots: 5
On target: 0
Possession: 62%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 28
Was the result fair?
In truth, it was not a brilliant spectacle at the Calderon. Both sides really struggled to create openings, but credit must be given to both defences, who certainly came out on top in the battle against the attacking personnel on display. There was little to choose between the two teams in the first period, but Juventus did have more of the ball.
It was a similar story in the second 45 minutes, but the longer the match went on, the more likely Atletico looked to claim all the points. There would have been few complaints if the match ended goalless, but Atletico just about shaded the contest overall.
Atletico's performance
It has been a mixed bag for Atletico this season, with a clutch of new signings still settling into the team and head coach Diego Simeone recently returning from a touchline suspension. Mario Mandzukic is also carrying a facial injury and struggled to get the best of the Juventus defence this evening.
That said, defensively Atletico were just superb. Much of their success last season was built on a solid unit at the back and Diego Godin and Miranda were back to their very best this evening. Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez have started the season in good form for Juve, but neither got a sniff tonight. As touched upon, there was little to separate the two teams in general play and neither attack played particularly well, but Atletico started to force the issue in the final third of the contest and got their reward late on.
Juventus's performance
Juve entered the match sitting top of the Italian league and having not conceded a single goal this season. Like Atletico, the Serie A champions were brilliant defensively this evening, but they really struggled in the final third. In their usual 3-5-2 formation, wing-backs Patrice Evra and Stephan Lichtsteiner both failed to offer a threat in attack, while Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal were also disappointing in the middle of the park.
Llorente and Tevez had some brief moments in the final third, but the attacking pair could not get the best of a brilliant Atletico defence. The away side still had time to secure an equaliser after conceding with 15 minutes remaining, but they never really offered the impression that they could level late on. They are the dominant force in Italy, but really need to improve their performances in the Champions League.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Miranda: In truth, this could easily have gone to Miranda's defensive partner Godin, with both centre-backs sensational for the home side this evening. Miranda just shades it, however, due to his overall performance. Llorente is one of the most difficult strikers to mark in European football due to his size and power, but Miranda never afforded the frontman any space in the Spanish capital. When needed, he was also prepared to bring the play forward from the back. It was just about a faultless defensive performance from the Brazilian.
Biggest gaffe
There isn't really one single moment that stands out, but Juventus's inability to push forward in the latter stages was disappointing. It wasn't as if Atletico were desperately holding onto their lead in the final moments, with Juve almost accepting the one-goal defeat. Overall, it was a poor attacking display from the Italian side.
Referee performance
To suggest that it was a tough match for referee Felix Brych to officiate would be the understatement of the century. The contest was littered with late challenges and clashes between both sets of players, but the German did well to calm proceedings when needed. He awarded just the one yellow card in a feisty first period, but had to get his card out seven more times in the second half. It was an untidy match in terms of free kicks and fouls, but Brych cannot really be criticised for his part in the match.
What next?
Atletico: The Spanish champions return to league action with a trip to Valencia on Saturday. Their next Champions League clash is against Malmo on October 22.
Juventus: Juve also return to domestic action this weekend with the eagerly-anticipated clash against Roma on Sunday evening. They also return to Champions League action on October 22 with a trip to Olympiacos.
Matt Law
