Neuer: Alaba strike stunned Juve

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says David Alaba’s early goal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg left Juventus shocked.

Alaba beat Gianluigi Buffon with a deflected long-range strike to put Bayern 1-0 ahead inside the first minute at the Allianz Arena.

Thomas Mueller made it two after the break to help Bayern take a major step toward the semi-finals.

“I wasn’t expecting us to score such an early goal and I doubt Juve did either. It was a bit of a shock for them but obviously good for us,” Neuer told the UEFA website.

“Buffon is a superb goalkeeper and if you look at the flight of the ball, it was a really difficult one for him. I know how David shoots – they’re dangerous balls to deal with.

“You can’t afford to make any mistakes in the Champions League. You could see from the start that we were trying to keep hold of the ball in our build-up play, making sure every pass arrived at its destination.

“We didn’t want to risk opening ourselves up to any counterattacks, or to allow them any chances, and I think we managed to do that very well.”

The return leg in Turin takes place on April 10.