Carlos Tevez Goals Mark Beginning of Juventus' European Resurgence?

Last season, despite their utter dominance of the domestic scene, Juventus disappointingly crashed out of the Champions League at the first hurdle. Despite two excellent showings against Real Madrid, a string of poor displays against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray prevented the Turin giants from qualifying for the knockout phase.

That failure left the club’s supporters cold, unable to understand how a side that had swept all before it in Serie A could not overcome such European minnows. The early exit tainted its record-breaking campaign in 2013-14, and one player became the man chosen to shoulder much of the blame.

Like the Bianconeri, Carlos Tevez was superb in the league, netting 19 times in his debut season on the peninsula and narrowly missing out to Ciro Immobile as the division’s leading scorer. Yet he remained goalless in the Champions League, extending a scoring drought which stretched back to his time as a Manchester United player.

Having not found the back of the net since April 2009, his run of 1,003 minutes of action was held up as a knock on a player who had otherwise excelled since moving to Italy. Determined to silence those doubters, both Tevez and Juventus headed into this year’s competition eager to showcase their abilities.

As Tuesday’s meeting with Malmo began, it seemed the changes made this summer had failed to provide either with the required spark. Half-time came and went, the Swedish side repeating the kind of frustrating performance its Norwegian neighbours inflicted on the Old Lady in recent seasons.

Then, just like that, it was over.

With almost an hour on the clock, Tevez picked the ball up outside the visitor’s box and picked out an excellent run from Kwadwo Asamoah. The Ghanaian played an excellent back-heeled flick back to the Argentinian, who had burst forward into the heart of the defence.

He drilled the ball low into the corner, beating goalkeeper Robin Olsen comfortably and running off to celebrate. A robot dance inspired by his young daughter followed, matched by scenes of delight in the stands of Juventus Stadium as supporters celebrated joyously.

He had finally scored the goal his performances for the club deserved, but the 30-year-old striker was not finished yet. Shortly before full-time, the Bianconeri were awarded a free kick just outside the box after a foul on Alvaro Morata, who had come off the bench just minutes earlier.

With Andrea Pirlo missing through injury, Tevez stepped up and curled an excellent effort round the wall and beat Olsen for a second time. Sealing the points, he was taken off for Sebastian Giovinco, earning a standing ovation from his appreciative audience.

Despite waiting almost five-and-a-half years to celebrate in Europe’s elite competition, Tevez himself said the team’s success is far more important. Speaking to Sky Italia at the final whistle, the striker said (h/t GianlucaDiMarzio.com):

"

Honestly, I wasn’t missing the fact I didn’t score in Champions League for so long. I only care about Juventus winning, other things are less relevant.

I want to thank all the fans who support me: it’s always nice to wear this jersey.

"

While he downplayed the significance of his well-taken brace, his team-mates were keen to highlight his contribution. “I’m happy with myself," Asamoah told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Forza Italian Football), "but especially for Carlitos, he needed to get back to scoring in the Champions League.”

More than simply ending his barren run, the Bianconeri will hope the goals signify a collective return to prominence on the continent. The importance of the competition to the reigning Italian champions cannot be understated (a matter discussed in greater detail here), the club desperate to carry its recent success onto the grandest stage.

Without a trophy in the competition since 1996, Juventus know all too well what it is like to wait for European success. Now that Tevez has ended his wait for a goal, La Madama will hope her leading man can also bring her close to winning the Champions League.