Bayern Munich squander two-goal lead as Juventus keep tie alive

Bayern Munich squandered a dominant position as Juventus recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 and give themselves hope in their Champions League last-16 tie.

Goals from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben had put Pep Guardiola's side into a commanding position at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday night, but second-half strikes from Paulo Dybala and substitute Stefano Sturaro enabled Max Allegri's men to restore parity in a game that had started to look like it was slipping out of their grasp.

Bayern, despite naming a starting line-up without a recognised centre-back, made much of the early running and it was little surprise when they took the lead shortly before half-time through the clinical Muller.

And the visitors' control of the tie looked to be absolute as Robben scored the most Robben goal of all time to put Bayern 2-0 up early in the second half.

But Juventus are a quality outfit and weren't willing to go down without a fight.

A Paul Pogba assist for Dybala pulled Juve back into the game and as the game wore on the unfamiliarity of the Munich backline began to show, with Juventus able to take advantage.

Pogba had become increasingly involved as the game went on, drifting in from his position out on the left wing, but it was substitute Alvaro Morata who produced the crucial cross just moments after his arrival on to the pitch, putting it on a plate for Stefano Sturaro.

Two away goals for Bayern gives them the edge in the tie, but Juve will take great encouragement from their second half showing – particularly the extent to which their star-studded forward line was able to rattle the German defence.

It's all to play for in the second leg.

How did Bayern Munich throw that away? The visitors were in complete control of this game, dominating in the manner that we’ve grown accustomed to with Pep Guardiola’s teams over the years. They were enjoying most of the ball and creating by far the better of the chances, so when Robben made it 2-0 it looked like Bayern were going to cruise into the quarter-finals. But, one small mistake in defence and Juve were back in the game. Was it the fact that Bayern have injuries in defence? Is it that Juve are actually a much better team than they showed in the first half? Or perhaps it’s that Bayern weren’t quite as dominant as the stats suggest? In reality it’s a combination of all three, but Juve’s comeback makes the second leg very tough to call.

Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich) – This was always going to be a testing evening for Vidal on his return to Juventus, but the midfielder was unbelievably good for Bayern, showing brilliant technique for an early strike and controlling the game superbly. He gave away just six of his 115 passes in a performance that showed the Italian Champions exactly what they’re missing.

Juventus: Buffon 7; Lichtsteiner 7, Barzagli 6, Bonucci 7, Evra 6; Cuadrado 6, Khedira 5, Marchisio 5, Pogba 7; Mandzukic 6, Dybala 7. Subs: Hernanes 8, Sturaro 8, Morata 8.

Bayern: Neuer 7; Lahm 7, Kimmich 4, Alaba 7, Bernat 6; Vidal 8, Thiago 8, Muller 7; Robben 8, Costa 6, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Benatia 6, Ribery 7.

12’ – MISS – What a remarkable miss! Lewandowski brilliantly drags the ball past his marker to open up space in the box and then unselfishly tees up Muller, but the ball is slightly behind the German, forcing him to take a first controlling touch, and somehow he fails to make a second contact to find the back of the net. That should have been 1-0.

43’– GOAL!Juventus0-1 Bayern: Thomas Muller opens the scoring for Bayern, passing a shot beyond Buffon after finding the sort of space in the penalty area that seems to exist only for him. 1-0!

55’ – GOAL!Juventus0-2Bayern: Arjen Robben makes it 2-0 with a sublime finish after a flowing counter-attacking move, cutting inside on to his left foot and curling a shot into the far corner.

63’ – GOAL!Juventus1-2Bayern: Out of nothing Paulo Dybala pulls one back for Juve. A sloppy touch by Kimmich at the back gifts possession to Pogba, who immediately slides a pass through for the Argentine to finish calmly beyond Neuer. Game on?

66’ – SAVE – Juventus believe. Mandzukic wins the ball and sprints deep into the Bayern half before picking out a lovely pass to find the unmarked Cuadrado. The Colombian composes himself before pulling the trigger, but Neuer stands tall and makes a decent save.

76’ – GOAL!Juventus2-2Bayern: Juventus are level as Stefano Sturaro turns home Morata's cross from close-range. Substitute assisting substitute - what an impact. It's 2-2!

Pep Guardiola has won just one of his last nine away games in the Champions League knockout stage.

Dybala’s goal was his first ever in the Champions League.

Muller has scored 13 Champions League goals since the start of last season. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more.

Philipp Lahm’s appearance made him the first German outfield player to reach 100 games in the Champions League.