Nantes 0-3 Juventus: Angel Di Maria scores hat-trick as Max Allegri’s side ease into Europa League last 16

Juventus beat Nantes 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate) thanks to an Angel Di Maria hat-trick and are through to the UEFA Europa League round of 16.

It was the perfect start for Massimiliano Allegri’s side who took the lead after just five minutes. Nicolo Fagioli played the ball out to Di Maria who curled a stunning strike into the top corner. It was a goal of the highest calibre and exactly what Juventus needed to settle the nerves.

Under 15 minutes later Nantes were dealt another crushing blow, defender Nicolas Pallois was sent off for handball and Juventus had a penalty. Di Maria slalomed down the right-hand side before jinking past the goalkeeper and flicking an effort towards goal which struck Pallois’ arm.

Di Maria stepped up to calmly fire home his and Juve’s second goal of the evening and put his side in cruise control.

The Bianconeri went close to going 3-0 up on the brink of half time when Filip Kostic rifled an effort across the goal which cannoned back off the post.

Juventus missed a hatful of chances in the second half, with Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont coming up with a couple of superb saves, first to deny Juan Cuadrado and then one to keep out Alex Sandro’s effort.

Allegri’s side finally got their third and final goal after 79 minutes when Di Maria headed home at the back post to complete his hat-trick. Lafont looked to have clawed the ball back into play but the referee pointed to his watch to indicate the ball had indeed crossed the line and Juventus had booked their place in the next round.

Nantes pushed forward in search of a late goal to make things interesting but it was too little too late and Juventus were able to see out a comfortable victory in France.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ANGEL DI MARIA (JUVENTUS)

The Argentine was simply magnificent. He opened the scoring after five minutes with a sensational goal that will be replayed over and over again. It was his trickery down the right-hand side and eventual flick towards goal which was handled by Pallois to give Juventus a penalty, which he calmly scored. In the second half he was a constant menace for the Nantes defence and he capped off his performance with a hat-trick, scoring a header with 12 minutes to go. He was a joy to watch.

TALKING POINT – A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

The UEFA Europa League presents Juventus with a real opportunity of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Without their points deduction, Juventus would be joint-second with Inter and well fancied to finish in a Champions League slot, and the Europa League might not have been top of their list of priorities. Due to the deduction, however, Juventus sit in seventh place, 12 points off the Champions League places and winning the Europa League is now Juventus’ primary objective. If they can perform like they did against Nanttes and get key men like Federico Chiesa back fit and in the side, Juventus have as good a chance as any to lift the trophy and secure their place in Europe’s elite competition next season.

PLAYER RATINGS

Nantes: Lafont 8, Centonze 6, Jean-Charles 6, Girotto 7, Pallois 4, Simon 6, Sissoko 6, Mollet 6, Chirivella 5, Delort 6, Blas 7 Subs: Traore 6, Moutoussamy 6, Mohamed 6, Ganago 6, Guessand 6

Juventus: Szczesny 7, Sandro 7, Bremer 7, Danilo 7, De Sciglio 7, Fagioli 8, Locatelli 7, Rabiot 7, Kostic 7, Di Maria 10, Kean 6 Subs: Bonucci 6, Cuadrado 7, Paredes 7, Vlahovic 6, Iling Junior N/A

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

5′ GOAL – JUVENTUS – WHAT A GOAL! The ball falls to Angel Di Maria on the right-hand side and he bends it first time with his left foot into the top corner! A sensational strike!

17′ RED CARD – NANTES Nicolas Pallois has been sent off for Nantes for handball in the penalty area and Juventus have a penalty.

20′ GOAL – JUVENTUS Di Maria converts from 12 yards and Juventus are 2-0 up and 3-1 up on aggregate! The perfect opening 20 minutes for the Italian side.

75′ GOAL – JUVENTUS It’s a hat-trick for Di Maria! He heads home, play continues after Lafont’s save but the referee points to his watch to say it crossed the line!

89′ BIG CHANCE FOR A GOAL! Guessand fires an effort towards goal but Alex Sandro does well to block it and it’s out for another corner.

KEY STAT

Juventus are the only Italian team able to be qualified for at least the last 16 phase in all of the last 11 European competitions seasons. (via Opta Paolo)