Valencia 0-2 Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo sent off but Italians still win
- Published
Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for the first time in 154 Champions League games
A tearful Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially sent off as Juventus claimed a hard-fought win at Valencia.
The Portuguese forward, making his Champions League debut for Juve, appeared to grab Valencia defender Jeison Murillo's hair as they tangled off the ball midway through the first half and referee Felix Brych consulted his assistant behind the goal before showing the five-time Champions League winner a straight red card.
Ten-man Juve rallied and took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Miralem Pjanic scored from the penalty spot, and shortly after the break, the Bosnian midfielder stroked home another spot-kick.
Valencia were then awarded a penalty in stoppage time but Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Daniel Parejo to preserve the Italians' clean sheet.
Tears for Ronaldo
Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win the Champions League in four of the past five seasons
It was an unhappy return to Spain for Ronaldo, who moved to Juve from Real Madrid for £99.2m in the summer.
His influence on the game was growing when he tried to latch onto a cross and was blocked off by a tumbling Murillo. He gesticulated to Murillo to get up and appeared to pull the defender's hair before turning away in frustration.
Amid a hostile atmosphere, opposing players clashed in the box and the referee spoke with his assistant at length before producing a red card.
The Champions League's record goalscorer was visibly furious, protesting his innocence but finally leaving the pitch in tears.
It was his first sending off in 154 Champions League appearances and he now faces at least a one-game ban.
Never write off Juventus
Juventus have won Serie A seven years in a row and they used all their experience to silence the raucous Valencia fans and close out the win.
Manager Massimo Allegri signed Ronaldo to help make the difference in this competition but they were comfortable even without their big summer signing.
They should have been ahead before Ronaldo's sending off and finally pulled in front with Pjanic's first penalty shortly before half-time after Parejo fouled Joao Cancelo in the box.
Pjanic is the first player to score two penalties in the same Champions League match since Ronaldo for Real Madrid in September 2015
In the second half, Murillo wrestled Leonardo Bonucci to the ground from a corner and Pjanic stepped up to beat goalkeeper Neto once more.
Although Valencia were handed a penalty in injury time after late substitute Daniele Rugani fouled Gabriel, Parejo's weak effort was saved by Szczesny.
On this evidence, the Italian champions look a good bet for another strong campaign after reaching the 2016-17 final.
Their defensive resilience is unparalleled and they once again demonstrated their uncanny ability to grind out a result.
Once Ronaldo is up and running, they will be well placed to chase a first Champions League title since 1996.
Another red card for Juve - match stats
Juventus have received 26 red cards in the Champions League, at least seven more than any other side in the competition.
Juve have received a red card in three straight Champions League matches (three reds in total) for the second time in the club's history, having also done so between October 2000 and September 2001 (five reds in total).
They have also won their opening match to a Champions League campaign for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign (2-1 v Manchester City), drawing one and losing one of their last two such games.
Following a run of nine home Champions League matches without defeat (W6 D3), Valencia have now lost four of their last five such games, conceding 10 goals.
What's next?
Valencia face Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday (15:15 BST), before Juventus go to Serie A new boys Frosinone Calcio (19:30 BST).
Valencia visit Manchester United in their next Champions League game while a Ronaldo-less Juventus host Young Boys, with both fixtures on Tuesday, 2 October (20:00 BST).