In the live broadcast room, fans were locked in a heated debate over whether Chiellini should have committed that foul.
As play resumed, the stadium fell into a tense silence. The faces of Juventus supporters were etched with anger and concern.
Allegri made no substitutions—there wasn't a single backup center back on the bench he truly trusted.
Khedira dropped into central defense, Asamoah shifted into midfield, Dybala pulled back into the attacking midfield role, and Douglas Costa pushed higher up the pitch. Juventus reshaped into a 4-2-1-2.
"Looks like Juventus still aren't giving up—they've switched to a 4-2-1-2."
They weren't simply parking the bus. Allegri knew this was only the first leg, at home—and Liverpool already had an away goal.
"I can understand why Allegri doesn't want to abandon the attack. He wants to level the score."
"With the away goals rule, Liverpool already have one away goal in hand."
"The away goals advantage means a team can advance even if the aggregate score is level."
"For example, if the aggregate ends 3–3, but one team has two away goals and the other only one, the team with two away goals goes through."
"For Juventus, a draw is the best possible outcome right now—they can live with it. But Liverpool clearly won't be satisfied with that."
Play resumed. As expected, Juventus set up in a defensive counter approach, while Liverpool pushed forward aggressively.
Liverpool dominated ball possession, controlling both the ball and the tempo. But Juventus, as Serie A's powerhouse, showed exactly why Italian sides are renowned for their defensive discipline.
27th minute!
"Liverpool working the flanks again, moving it to the right—dynamic transitions, quick combinations!"
"Snap!" Salah receives it and lays it back.
Leo Lin takes a touch and threads it through to Arnold, who's overlapping on the right.
Arnold has acres of space for a cross. He even takes a couple of settling steps, carefully scanning the penalty area before delivering it.
"Arnold with the cross! It's a good delivery!"
"Firmino's in the middle—Barzagli gets there first with a heading clearance!"
"Khedira follows up with a long clearance to relieve the pressure."
"Juventus are combining a deep defensive block with man-to-man marking. It's one of the most effective ways to deal with crosses and wide breakthroughs."
"But it demands high individual quality—and clearly Juventus have the personnel to execute it."
Derek Rae continued, clearly impressed each time he broke down Juventus' defensive structure.
"Serie A sides are always tactically sound at the back. Juventus simply won't allow Liverpool to attack straight at goal."
"And the central area in front of goal—that's where chances are most likely to come from."
Juventus' defensive principles were executed to perfection. Every player worked toward the same objective—compact, disciplined, unshakable.
Liverpool were laying siege, but genuine clear-cut chances were hard to come by.
The game felt one-sided in terms of pressure, yet Juventus' back line stood firm like iron plating. At the same time, their players were conserving energy, waiting for the right moment to strike on the counterattack.
34th minute!
"Liverpool's center backs have pushed right up to the halfway line, compressing Juventus' shape."
"Driving forward again—it's Leo Lin orchestrating the advance."
"A quick burst past Dybala in tight space—out to the wing! Arnold arriving late!"
"A long pass—switching play all the way to the left!"
"Robertson collects—space to cross!"
"That switch of play was beautifully executed!"
"Robertson sends it toward the far post—Firmino collides with Khedira!"
"It's still alive!"
"Barzagli throws himself in—blocks Salah's follow-up!"
The ball spills to the edge of the area. Leo Lin charges onto it in long strides and unleashes another long-range shooting attempt!
Buffon springs almost from a standstill, stretching to get the faintest fingertip to the underside of the ball, just enough to tip it over the crossbar.
"Another world-class save! Buffon showing exactly why he's Italy's legendary guardian!"
"Leo Lin didn't fully commit to the power there—clearly wary of sending it over—but the shot still had real pace. The angle just wasn't sharp enough to beat Buffon."
Corner to Liverpool. Their center backs push into the box as aerial targets.
Henderson holds position near the top of the arc. Arnold and Robertson remain deeper, forming the last defensive line.
Salah swings it toward the near post—Firmino flicks it on!
Mané at the far post is about to launch into a diving header—
—but Douglas Costa beats him to it, cushioning it with his chest before immediately releasing it down the right!
Sandro gathers and drives forward. Juventus spring into a counterattack—they sense an opening!
Leo Lin sprints back desperately. Henderson has already been beaten in the middle!
Sandro surges into Liverpool's half in a flash. Drawing Arnold toward him, he slides it across to Dybala!
The Little Wizard produces something special—a no-look pass that drifts past Robertson!
Higuaín makes a reverse run, circling behind Robertson, collects the ball, and bursts into the box—clean through!
Mignolet rushes off his line. Higuaín delicately lifts a chip over him—the ball arcing toward the far post!
From its first bounce, it looks destined to land on the goal line and spin into the net.
Liverpool fans leap to their feet, clutching their heads.
Juventus supporters throw their arms up—already celebrating!
At the final, breathless instant—
"BANG!!!"
A dark figure throws himself across, crashing into the far post!
With his back, he blocks the ball at its first point of contact—
and somehow forces it away from goal!
Robertson reacts first, smashing it out for a throw-in. On the touchline, Klopp wipes cold sweat from his brow.
It's Leo Lin!
A fearless, goal-line clearance—but he can't avoid the collision that follows!
Trying to protect his teammate, Leo Lin twists his body mid-air, making sure his knee or other hard contact doesn't strike him. But Lovren, also charging back to clear, doesn't see him in time.
They slam into each other.
Derek Rae can't contain himself.
"Leo Lin!"
"Goal-line clearance!!!"
"That is massive!!!"
"That moment could crush Juventus' momentum!!!"
"What I've always admired most about him isn't his talent."
"Nor even his potential."
"It's his attitude—always giving absolutely everything for Liverpool!"
Amid the roar, Derek Rae's voice carries the same concern shared by countless Liverpool supporters.
Leo Lin lies motionless on the turf, surrounded by teammates.
Liverpool's medical staff sprint onto the pitch.
"Leo Lin…"
"He's not seriously hurt, is he?"