Daniel Parejo cancelled out Dušan Vlahović’s opener after 33 seconds to rescue the hosts.
Dušan Vlahović marked his much-anticipated UEFA Champions League debut with a goal after just 33 seconds for Juventus, but Daniel Parejo hit back in the second half to leave this round of 16 tie delicately poised.
Key moments
1′ Vlahović scores on Champions League debut
13′ Lo Celso hits the woodwork
66′ Parejo turns in the equaliser
It took just over half a minute for Vlahović to silence the home crowd, as the 22-year-old Juventus striker lived up to his billing, expertly bringing a long ball under control before squeezing it into Gerónimo Rulli’s far corner.
Advantage Juve and their January signing could pride himself on recording the quickest ever Champions League goal from a starting debutant – and becoming the first player born this century to score for the Bianconeri in the knockout phase.
Villarreal appeared shaken, and when Giovani Lo Celso found the ball at his feet inside the danger zone in the 13th minute, the Argentinian could only strike the post.
Even so, Unai Emery’s side began to recoup possession, as Massimiliano Allegri’s men set up to sit deep and fend off the hosts’ endeavours.
The black-and-white defensive blockade was eventually breached midway through the second period when Parejo sprung from deep to meet Étienne Capoue’s perfectly weighted ball and swept home to set up a fascinating second leg in Turin.
Reaction
Dusan Vlahović, Juventus striker: “It was huge to score on my debut; it was very emotional. However, I cannot be 100% satisfied because we have not won the game. We have to keep working hard. We played a good game and we could have won. There are some regrets, but we must just focus on the next game.”
Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus coach: “We made a bad mistake on their equaliser; we knew perfectly that they were trying that move and we still allowed them to score. However, the team played a good game in general. We also made a few mistakes in attack, straying offside when we had good chances on the counterattack. In general, I’m quite satisfied with the performance.”
Unai Emery, Villarreal coach: “We didn’t get scared and we showed our maturity. We could’ve drawn level in the first half but got what we deserved in the second. We conceded, but the side bounced back, drew level and we wanted to win. We need to go to Turin and win.”
Daniel Parejo, Villarreal midfielder: “I thought we were dominant in the first half and in general, we deserved to win, given how the game went and that we were the better side. I’m not entirely happy because we played well and went toe to toe with them, and if one side deserved to win it was Villarreal.”
