Juventus 2-1 Borussia Dortmund: Five Talking Points

Juventus take a crucial lead into the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash against Borussia Dortmund after a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. The home side, who haven't lost in their 46 previous home games, took the lead thanks to Carlos Tevez in the 13th minute. But a slip by Giorgio Chiellini gave Dortmund an opportunity to get back into the game, which Marco Reus duly took to level the scores just five minutes later.Although the visitors dominated the ball for the rest of the half, it was the home side that went into the break with a lead, after Alvaro Morata slotted home from close range from a Paul Pogba cross from the left flank. Juventus had a few more chances to extend their lead in the second half, but didn't take them.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#5 No happy homecoming for Dortmund\'s strikers

Having come through the ranks at Juventus, it was certainly an emotional homecoming for Ciro Immobile. The striker, who joined Dortmund from Torino last summer was hoping to catch the manager's eye in front of a packed crowd at the Juventus Stadium.

Instead, Dortmund's failure to create too many chances meant that he was substituted in the second half, without ever getting a real opportunity to announce his return to Turin. Immobile's usual partner in crime up front, Aubameyang started on the right flank.

The Gabon international left AC Milan in 2012 without making a single Serie A appearance in five years, was looking to prove the Rossoneri wrong on his return to Italy. But all the 25-year-old proved was that he isn't a winger and is a much bigger threat, when he plays down the middle, where he can use his pace and ability to run in behind defenders.

#4 Will Juventus be made to pay for not taking their chances?

A win at home in the first leg of the Champions League is a must, if you harbour any hopes of going through. So Juventus' 2-1 win over an ever-improving Dortmund side is surely a good result, even if they let in an away goal.

But what will certain concern Allegri is his side's failure to take their chances. Although they were lucky to go into the break 2-1 up, the Bianconeri were certainly the better side in the second half, as they created quite a few chances, but failed to take any of them.

Chiellini, had two good opportunities from set-pieces, but Roberto Pereyra's miss just before full time, when he was sent through on goal after some excellent work by Marchisio and Morata, meant that Juventus go into the second with just a one-goal lead instead of two.

#3 Visitors fail to capitalise on Juve\'s faults

Whenever you think of Dortmund, you think of fast and furious attacking football. Rapid interchange of play, whether through the middle or on the flanks, high pressing and an ability to always capitalise on the opponent's weakness. But the one thing they did not do on Tuesday, aside from struggle creatively, was not make use of the advantage they were afforded.

For all the talk of Juventus' miserly defence, in Patrice Evra, they have a fullback, who is vulnerable against fast wingers. This coupled with the fact that the home side were playing a narrow diamond in midfield should have meant that Dortmund enjoy a lot of success in the flanks.

But although Aubameyang played out wide, he was unable to use his pace and get the better of the Frenchman and the visitors struggled to make good use of their advantage on the flanks.

#2 Juventus carve Dortmund open on the counter

Juventus have no doubt, been the most dominant side in Italy for the past few years. But when you speak on their style of play, you would think that it is based on possession and carving out openings with pinpoint accuracy.

But on Tuesday, the Turin side showed they can not only pass, but can also break at pace. With Morata and Tevez up front, the home side had plenty of pace to burn and throughout the game, they made sure that they used it to their advantage.

Although Dortmund pressed high up the pitch, Juventus' ability to hold onto the ball meant that they were able to get through the press and were thus up against a vulnerable defence, which they could attack at pace. And attack, they surely did.

#1 A game of two contrasting halves

When the draw for the two sides came out, many were predicting a tight encounter, particularly given the contrast in how both sides play. So it wasn't surprising to see that Dortmund started their pressing game early on. What was surprising was the home side's ability to break quickly.

Not only did the first half have three goals, it was breathless, entertaining, winner takes all football, that you wouldn't normally expect in the first leg of a Champions League game. And the second half, was completely the opposite as Massimiliano Allegri's side seemed content to hold onto their lead and the visitors' pressing game wore off.

Tackles were much more prevalent and both sides seemed content to let the game drift for large parts of the second half. Although the two halves were so contrasting, the result now sets up a fascinating second leg in Germany.