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A two away goal advantage was not enough to save Tottenham from crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, as they were defeated 1-2 at home (3-4 on aggregate) to a rejuvenated Juventus side.
Despite going 1-0 up in the first half, Spurs failed to capitalize on it. It was far from a 'bottling' job, but it wasn't what you'd expect of a team that beat Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the group stage.
It was characteristic of the Spurs side that has drawn praise and criticism in equal proportions over the last couple of years - all show but no substance in the end.
#5 Allegri's timely substitutions
There is simply no denying the fact that it was the substitutes who decided the game in Juventus' favor. For the first hour, Juventus looked nothing like the team they were rumored to be - misplaced passes, a non-existent midfield and a shaky defense.
It was only when Lichtsteiner and Asamoah came in, thereby Juventus switching from four at the back to their preferred three at the back that they started to threaten. Lichtsteiner was the man responsible for their first goal - his run down the right wing before finding Khedira paved the way for victory.
Lichtsteiner also completed 2 dribbles while Asamoah managed one and Asamoah also won 2 crucial aerial duels. More than the numbers, it was the way in which they changed the dynamic of the whole game that mattered. Juventus transformed from a side that had no idea going forward into a team that scored twice in the space of three minutes after their arrival.
To quote the man himself; "In the second half, I decided that we needed fresh legs on the flanks, so I put Asamoah and Lichtsteiner in. I'm happy it paid off". Who knew managers could win you games?
#4 Pocchetino's lack of substitutions
On the other side of the spectrum lay Mauricio Pocchetino's stubborn refusal to make substitutions. The two managers could not have been more contrasting in this respect.
In Pocchetino's defense, he did everything right until they went behind. Son's goal was just the cherry on top of a pleasing Tottenham performance - Dembele and Dier effectively neutralised Pjanic, Khedira and Matuidi; Son found a lot of space on the flanks which he made ample use of; Sanchez and Vertonghen commanded the air with confidence; Everything was alright and nothing hurt.
It was only after going behind, only after Pocchetino got under pressure, that his demeanor resembled that of a man who was clueless. It took him too long to make his subs - Lamela didn't come in till the 73rd minute and Llorente got only 5 minutes to get the equaliser.
Where was Wanyama? He should have been utilised in midfield after the first goal to compensate the new 5-man midfield of Juventus. He could have brought in Danny Rose to get some fresh legs in defense. Pocchetino completely dropped the ball on this and this is something he should seek to improve on.
#3 Need for VAR
This match was yet another example of why VAR needs to come soon to the elite footballing competitions, be it the national leagues or European cups.
On several occassions, the referees missed crucial fouls - Juventus should have had a penalty earlier in the first half when Vertonghen fouled Alex Sandro in the box, but was turned a blind eye too - and on other occassions, blatant dives resulted in yellow cards for the opposition.
Dele Alli's reputation as a serial diver was only reinforced further, as he repeatedly threw himself to the floor at the slightest of touches and no repercussions came his way.
During the dying moments of the game, Kane's header hit the post and threatened to go into the goal before it was cleared away, but the play should never have stood - Kane was clearly offside as the replays suggested.
With the current technologies we have at hand, these should not even be issues; even if they aren't perfect, they should be employed and continually refined with time.
#2 Harry Kane's no show
At no point during the match did Harry Kane present the image of someone who could bend destiny to his will and at no point during the match did he present the image of Tottenham's savior.
If Harry Kane is the man England expects to help them win the World Cup, these were the kind of matches he should have stepped up in. Yes, it is not his job to create stuff as he is the primary finisher in the team but he certainly could have done better.
Aside hitting the woodwork, his lone shot on target in the game was a weak attempt that was far from troubling to Buffon and he was dispossesed five times during the game. Juventus did an excellent job of keeping him under wraps, and Kane had no way of shining.
It is still early in his career and he has everything he needs to become one of the best in the world, and Kane should understand that the process also entails being the best when you are not being allowed to be.
#1 Chiellini's masterclass
If there is one person who can go away from this game with absolute satisfaction, it has to be Giorgio Chiellini. Even then, he would regret the one goal they conceded. That's why Chiellini deserves to be praised.
He started the game rather shakey but as time went on, Chiellini grew larger and more confident and it showed. He bossed the game for the last 20 minutes, and along with Barzagli and Sandro, dove in front of every ball that had a chance of going towards the goal.
Chiellini's stats prove the same: 4 tackles, 2 interceptions, 13 clearances, 4 aerial duels won and 51 completed passes (59 attempted passes). It was a performance worthy of Man of the Match and rightly awarded so.
As Juventus proceed further into the UCL, Chiellini will become much more important to the team - it will fall to him to shut out the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool if they get drawn together.
