Leverkusen slip to defeat at Juve

JUVENTUS 3-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Goals: 1-0 Higuain (17'), 0-2 Bernardeschi (62'), 0-3 Ronaldo (88')

FULL TIME

It's all over in Turin. Shame for Leverkusen, who deserved better.

88' RONALDO GETS HIS GOAL

Substitute Dybala threads a nice ball into the Portuguese forward, who makes no mistake from close range.

82' PROMISING FROM AMIRI

The Leverkusen midfielder jinks around the edge of the Juventus box, skipping past a couple of challenges before getting a shot off. It's deflected wide for a corner, from which Tah heads just over.

Moments later Dybala comes on for Dybala.

80' LAST CHANGE FROM LEVERKUSEN

Sinkgraven takes Aranguiz's place in midfield.

78' PAULINHO JUST OVER

Leverkusen's best chance of the half falls to Paulinho as he races on to a long ball over the top, slightly out to the right. Szczesny sprints off his line to close him down, but Paulinho gets there first and lifts the ball over his head towards goal. For a moment it looks like it might drop in, but it ends up just over.

77' NEXT JUVE SUB

On comes Ramsey for goalscorer Bernardeschi.

74' HRADECKY 3-0 RONALDO

Another brilliant save from Hradecky and once again it's Ronaldo he denies. Higuain finds space wide on the left and plays a brilliant ball into the box, where Ronaldo has escaped Wendell's attentions. He takes it first time, 12 yards out, but Hradecky pulls off a great stop.

73' FIRST CHANGE FOR JUVE

Khedira is taken off and is replaced by Bentacur.

70' HRADECKY PLAYING WITH FIRE

The Leverkusen goalkeeper miscontrols a back pass from Wendell and almost Cruyff-turns the ball into his own net. He scrambles back and stops it on the line but is immediately closed down by two Juventus forwards. He somehow manages to get the ball out of danger, though.

68' PAULINHO ON

Bosz brings on Paulinho for Alario in a bid to give his attack some fresh impetus. Can the youngster sprinkle some Brazilian magic on Leverkusen's forward forays?

65' JUVE BUOYED

That second goal has obviously given Juve an extra boost and they're now playing with greater ease, cheered on by their home support. Leverkusen need to settle again quickly if they're to mount a comeback.

62' BERNARDESCHI STRIKES

A tough task just got that bit harder for Leverkusen as Higuain evades a tackle on the left-hand side of the box and pulls the ball back to Bernardeschi, who sweeps the ball in from close range.

57' RONALDO AGAIN!

A strong run from Cuadrado down the right and the Colombian cuts inside and plays a square ball to Ronaldo. He's all by himself about 15 yards out with only Hradecky to beat. He must score... but Hradecy makes a brilliant save to keep the ball out!

56' RONALDO ON THE CHARGE

The Juve attacker collects the ball on the left and quickly cuts inside onto his right foot. He's shaping to shoot but is charged down by a last-ditch tackle.

53' VOLLAND LASHES OVER

Weiser pings a brilliant ball from the right over to Volland, just inside the Juve penalty area. His first touch is brilliant, setting himself up for a shot, but as he's closed down by a defender he snatches at his shot and it sails way over the bar.

51' MATUIDI DENIED

The Frenchman collects a lofted ball over the top of the defence and goes one-on-one with Hradecky. The Leverkusen goalkeeper makes a good save - but any goal wouldn't have counted anyway as Matuidi is pulled back for offside.

48' ARANGUIZ JUST WIDE

Havertz sprints forward down the right and wins a corner off Bonucci. Amiri whips a ball in from the right, deep towards the back post where the unmarked Aranguiz is lurking. His first-time volley is deflected wide by Sandro, but the referee didn't see his decisive touch and a goal kick is given.

SECOND HALF - AMIRI ON FOR DEMIRBAY

We're under way again in Turin. Leverkusen have made one change at the break, with Germany U21 international Nadiem Amiri coming on in midfield for Demirbay.

HALF-TIME!

Leverkusen can't be faulted for their effort or bravery, taking the game to Juve on their own patch with a bold possession-based style. They've looked good for long spells, but apart from a half-chance for Alario early on they haven't really opened up the home defence. Juve have been far more clinical, with Higuain ruthlessly punishing a mistake in the visiting rearguard.

39' HUGE SAVE FROM HRADECKY

The Leverkusen goalkeeper keepers his side in the game with an outstanding stop. The ball is worked over to the left-hand side of the penalty area, where the unmarked Higauin tries to curl a ball into the far corner. Hradecky's anticipated it though, and pulls off a flying stop.

34' DECENT POSSESSION FROM LEVERKUSEN

The visitors have a sustained period on the ball, pinging it around the pitch as Juve are happy to sit back and let them have it. The hosts are only really closing them down when they get near to the edge of their penalty area- No way through for Bayer as yet.

30' LEVERKUSEN STICKING TO THEIR GUNS

Juve are not being as overrun as they were in the first quarter of an hour, but Leverkusen deserve credit for sticking to their game plan of working their way forward with short, quick passes. Now they just need an end product.

26' HAVERTZ TEES UP VOLLAND

Brilliant from Havertz, whose cushioned pass from a long ball from the right falls right into the path of Volland. The striker is in the inside-left channel of the penalty area, but his vicious shot towards the near post is blocked by Bonucci.

21' WASTED FREE-KICK

Wendell up-ends Khedira in midfield, around 35 yards from goal. It's a promising position for the hosts, but the delivery is poor and Leverkusen are able to clear.

17' HIGUAIN BREAKS THE DEADLOCK

Such a shame for Leverkusen, who have been the better team so far. Tah's attempted clearance of a cross from the right falls straight at the feet of Higuain on the edge of the box. The striker takes a touch and drills a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.

16' VOLLAND TEASING

Leverkusen respond with almost a carbon copy as Volland skips down the left and smashes an inviting ball across the six-yard box. Nobody's there for Leverkusen, though.

14' DANGEROUS FROM JUVE

The hosts have their first real attack of the game as Pjanic plays a brilliant ball on the turn out wide to Cuadrado on the right. He charges into the space left by Wendell, who had pushed up, and delivers a teasing ball across the face of goal. It's begging for a touch, but neither Ronaldo nor Higuain have anticipated the cross and Leverkusen can clear.

11' LEVERKUSEN ON TOP

The stats back up the general impression of Bayer enjoying the better start: they've had 62% of possession so far, with Juve struggling to string passes together at present.

8' DEMIRBAY HAS A POP

This is a great start from Leverkusen. Their one-touch passing in defence suddenly allows them to open up gaps in midfield and all at once Demirbay is breaking forward in Juventus' half. Volland's run is well covered though, so he takes an ambitious shot himself, aiming to curl a left-footed effort from the left into the top-right corner. It's well struck but curls just over.

5' FIRST GLIMPSE OF RONALDO

The Portuguese superstar gets on the ball for the first time and immediately looks to make something happen, but Weiser - starting in place of Lars Bender, who pulled out of the warm-up with a thigh injury - is there to cover with a brilliant sliding tackle to concede a corner.

3' FIRST CHANCE FOR ALARIO

The first opening of the game falls to the visitors, who get forward well down the right. The ball is played in low towards Havertz, whose dummy opens up space for Alario to shoot. It's slightly behind the Argentinian though, and he's leaning back as he takes aim and ultimately blazes over.

2' BOLD START FROM LEVERKUSEN

Juventus are pressing high up the pitch, but there's no sign of nerves from the visitors as they immediately show great confidence to ping one and two-touch passes around in a bid to work their way forward.

KICK-OFF!

Here we go! Leverkusen get the ball rolling in Turin!

ALMOST THERE!

The teams are out on the pitch and the Champions League anthem is blaring out. It's almost go time!

5 REASONS LEVERKUSEN CAN WIN

The hosts may be the favourites on paper here given their European pedigree, but Leverkusen are not in Italy without cause for optimism of their own. From Havertz's brilliance, Volland's finishing to the absence of the 'BBC', we take a look at five reasons why Bosz's side can win.

NO RAMSEY FOR JUVE

Juventus coach Sarri has sprung one mild surprise by fielding Federico Bernardeschi in place of the in-form Aaron Ramsey.

The former Arsenal man forms part of a strong bench that also includes Gianluigi Buffon and Paulo Dybala.

LEVERKUSEN AS EXPECTED

Bayer coach Bosz has gone with his tried and trusted first XI, with Lucas Alario filling in for the injured Leon Bailey in attack. Karim Bellarabi was touch and go for this one, but the winger has been ruled out due to illness.

As such, any fresh attacking impetus needed by the visitors is likely to arrive in the form of Diaby, Amiri or Paulinho.

HIGH SPIRITS

Die Werkself warmed up for this clash with a confidence-boosting 3-0 win away to Augsburg on Saturday, with Havertz and Volland both on target in what was their fifth victory in eight competitive games so far this season.

MUST WIN FOR BAYER

Despite playing brilliantly in the Bundesliga at the start of the season, Peter Bosz's side were a splash off-colour in their Champions League opener at home to Lokomotiv Moscow on 18 September, slipping to a disappointing 2-1 defeat that has left them bottom of Group D.

As such, they need to get off the mark sooner rather than later, especially with back-to-back fixtures against Atletico Madrid next on their European calendar. Can Havertz, Kevin Volland and Co. deliver the goods in Turin?

WELCOME

Stay tuned for all the build-up and live coverage of Leverkusen's mouth-watering clash away to Juventus. It's sure to be a cracker!

Line-ups

Juventus: Szczesny – Cuadrado, Bonucci (c), de Ligt, Sandro – Khedira (Bentancur 74'), Pjanic, Matuidi – Bernardeschi (Ramsey 78') – Higuain (Dybala 83'), Ronaldo
Subs: Buffon, Rugani, Demiral, Rabiot
Out: Can (not in squad), Chiellini (cruciate ligament), Danilo (thigh), Mandzukic (not in squad), Perin (not in squad), Pjaca (not in squad), Costa (thigh), De Sciglio (thigh)
Coach: Maurizio Sarri

Leverkusen: Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell – Demirbay (Amiri 46'), Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz (Sinkgraven 80') – Havertz, Alario (Paulinho 68'), Volland
Subs: Özcan, Dragovic, Diaby
Out: Bailey (muscle tear), Bellarabi (ill), Pohjanpalo (match fitness), L. Bender (thigh)
Coach: Peter Bosz

Watch: Havertz's attacking masterclass unlocked

• Havertz is just six games away from a century of Bundesliga appearances with Leverkusen. The 20-year-old made his Champions League debut when he was 17.
• Leverkusen beat Juventus 3-1 the last time the teams met – a game in which goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt scored from the spot – on their run to the 2001/02 final, which they lost 1-0 to Real Madrid.
• Die Werkself have reached the knock-out stages in seven of their last eight Champions League campaigns.
• Leverkusen have only lost three of their last 12 away games in Europe, scoring 10 goals in that time.
• Bayer coach Peter Bosz handed Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt his professional debut when the pair were together at Ajax in 2016.
• Juventus are undefeated so far this season, and were previously without a win over a German club in four games stretching back to February 2015.