Juve man’s European goal drought boosted to end v Lyon

In the five years that have passed since April 7 2009, Carlos Tevez has scored 92 goals for three different clubs.

Unfortunately for all three of the Argentine’s employers since that day, none of them have come in Europe.

At the earliest opportunity, the anniversary of the Argentine’s last goal in European competition – which put Manchester United ahead in an eventual 2-2 draw with Porto at Old Trafford – is being celebrated by Ladbrokes.

They’ve taken Tevez’s price to score first in Juventus’ Europa League second-leg against Lyon, originally at 10/3, and boosted it to 4/1, meaning anyone believing in romantic symmetry will receive a handsome payout should he end his drought with the first of the match.

Outside of Uefa-branded tournaments, the former Red Devil has adapted well to playing in Italy. Tevez is the joint-highest scorer in Serie A this term, level with Torino’s Ciro Immobile, with 18 strikes.

Eight of those goals have broken the game’s deadlock – another league high – while he’s found the net more often in the comfort of his home stadium than in those of his opponents.

The 30-year-old has notched 10 times at Juventus Stadium in the Italian top-flight, which puts him level with the ancient Luca Toni as the most effective goal-getter in his own surroundings.

So, the ingredients are certainly there for Tevez to end his goalless European streak and with Lyon shipping the first goal 14 times in 32 Ligue 1 games this term – as well as on six occasions in Europe – it could be that he does so with the first goal of the match.

There are many opportunities to tell “where were you when” stories in a lifetime, but few have the drama of a cash windfall added to the narrative. Should Tevez oblige in Turin, you’ll be gutted if you didn’t back it.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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