Juventus launched their Champions League campaign with a breathless 4–4 draw against Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Stadium, salvaging a point in added time after trailing 2–4. Dusan Vlahovic struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time before supplying a last-gasp cross for Kelly to head the equaliser, sparking delirium among the home support once a VAR check confirmed the goal.
The first half was cagey and produced few clear chances. Despite an adventurous starting front line of David, Openda and Yildiz, Juventus were measured in possession and reluctant to over-commit, while Dortmund controlled phases of the ball without seriously testing Di Gregorio. The clearest early opening fell to the hosts when Kobel was forced into an awkward save from a long-range effort in the fourth minute, while Openda twice threatened without finding the target. At the interval, it remained goalless.
The second half exploded into life. Dortmund struck first on 52 minutes when Adeyemi arrowed a low left-foot finish across Di Gregorio. Juventus replied with style as Yildiz bent a trademark right-foot curler into the far corner on 63 minutes, only for Nmecha to restore Dortmund’s lead two minutes later with a precise drive from the edge of the area. The tempo scarcely dipped. Within another two minutes, Yildiz released substitute Vlahovic on the shoulder of the last defender and the Serbian levelled with an assured finish.
Dortmund regained control as the match became stretched. On 74 minutes, Yan Couto punished a misplaced pass, drilling past Di Gregorio at his near post, and the visitors appeared to have sealed the points when they were awarded a penalty on the counter in the 86th minute after Kelly handled a goal-bound strike. Bensebaini kept his nerve from the spot to make it 4–2.
Juventus refused to accept defeat. Vlahovic halved the deficit in the 94th minute, turning in from close range to set up a frenetic finale. Two minutes later he rose on the right and delivered an inviting cross that Kelly met with a thumping header. After a brief review upheld the onside call, the stadium erupted as Igor Tudor’s side completed an improbable comeback.
Tudor had rotated from the league win over Inter, handing starts to David and Openda with Yildiz operating between the lines, while Koopmeiners dropped into midfield and Cambiaso returned at left back. Kalulu came into defence, with Vlahovic initially held in reserve before making a decisive impact. Niko Kovac, hampered by defensive absences, redeployed full-backs Ryerson and Bensebaini in the back line, recalled Sabitzer in midfield and paired Adeyemi and Beier in support of Guirassy.
In a contest that swung wildly after the break, Juventus showed resilience and depth, while Dortmund’s attacking verve was offset by late defensive frailty. On the evidence of this thriller, both sides possess the firepower to trouble any opponent, but will look for greater control when match day two arrives.
