Juventus vs Atletico Madrid: Five things we learned as Cristiano Ronaldo strikes and Antoine Griezmann flounders

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick was enough for Juventus to complete a stunning come back to knock out Atletico Madrid and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick was enough for Juventus to complete a stunning come back to knock out Atletico Madrid and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Following a 2-0 defeat in Madrid, Ronaldo rose highest to head home on two occasions before scoring a penalty late on. Having barely threatened all game, Atleti threw bodies forwards in search of a goal in added time that would save their place in the competition, but Juve kept their composure to hold out.

As Allegri’s team progress, here are five things we learned from a thrilling encounter in Turin:

Ronaldo isn’t going anywhere just yet

He was on the receiving end of a fair bit of criticism after the first leg. Having only scored once so far in the tournament, some speculated whether he still had it in him to be the difference maker in the Champions League. Two crucial headers and a winning penalty later, the Ronaldo in Europe we always knew is back. His goalscoring form hasn’t been quite on the levels of previous seasons, but one thing remains constant. Cristiano Ronaldo always produces on the big occasion.

Spinazzola is an extremely useful squad player

Primarily a left midfielder, but he made the unenviable task of stepping into Alex Sandro’s shoes look like a walk in the park. Leonardo Spinazzola was a constant threat, running directly at Arias, putting crosses in the box and helping to stretch Atleti’s back four. He did all of this on his Champions League debut. Ronaldo will claim the plaudits as he always does, but from Juve fans Spinazzola deserves special commendation.

Griezmann needs creative support

The Frenchman is always going to be the talisman for Atleti, but in a game where just one away goal would have left the hosts a mountain to climb, he really could have done with support. The World Cup winner was more effective defending his own goal tonight, tracking back relentlessly to make tackles for his side. But going towards goal he was a lonely figure. Thomas Lemar, Saul Niguez and Koke were saddled with defensive obligations as we expected they would be, but Los Rojiblancos could have done with threatening more on the break. Instead, they surrendered possession quickly, and gave Juve the chance to dictate the temp of the game.

Atleti just aren’t good enough

For Simeone and his side, it just isn’t meant to be. The way they’ve defied expectations year after year deserves a lot of admiration, but tonight showed they just haven’t got the quality to breach the very best in Europe. Worse yet, the band of brothers that have played together for so long may be about to disperse. Diego Godin looks destined to go to Inter, Filipe Luis looks set to go, Juanfran isn’t getting any younger and Diego Costa’s peak has been and gone. They were the best defensive side in Europe, but if Atletico are to win their first Champions League, it will have to happen with some new faces.

Juventus are surely favourites now

We thought it was mission impossible. Atleti don’t concede one very often let alone three, but Allegri’s side believed and overcame. This victory is the biggest statement of the tournament so far, and with the field so closely matched, having Cristiano Ronaldo on your side is an asset only matched by having the presence of Lionel Messi. Motivated by two recent final defeats, Juve want it more than anyone else.