Monday, May 4, 2015
Can the Italian champions move a step closer to their first Champions League final in over a decade?
The last time Juventus met Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout stages was exactly a decade ago, when the bianconeri overturned an away defeat to progress into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 aggregate win. They'll be looking to repeat the feat in 2015, only this tie has much more riding on it: a win would mean Juve making the final of this tournament for the first time since they were beaten on penalties by AC Milan back in 2003.
Stop weeping, Serie A.
Massimiliano Allegri's side are undoubtedly underdogs heading into this pair of games, with Carlo Ancelotti (who led Milan to said success back in 2003) boasting much more star quality in his Madrid side. However, Juve can take some hope from history: no team has defended their crown in this tournament since Milan a quarter of a century ago.
Team news
Juventus will still be without their star midfielder Paul Pogba courtesy of a thigh injury, while an ankle problem is likely to keep versatile defender Martín Cáceres on the sidelines. Backups Kwadwo Asamoah, Luca Marrone and Romulo are also out. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have left-back Marcelo available after a one-game suspension, though Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema will likely again miss out with knee problems. Gareth Bale is back from injury, but it's not clear if Ancelotti is going to ask him to go 90 minutes.
Key Matchups
The wide battle - Juventus' lack of wingers means they invariably shape up very narrow in attack, but that can leave them a little short-handed in the wide areas when they're out of possession. In this game, they'll have to work hard to ensure Stephan Lichtsteiner is given a helping hand when up against Cristiano Ronaldo, while midfield shuttlers Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio must also ensure full-backs Marcelo and Dani Carvajal aren't able to venture forward completely unguarded.
Juve's back three vs. Juve's back four - The big selection decision for Juventus heading into this game is whether they'll play with a 4-3-1-2 or a 3-5-2, with coach Allegri having alternated between the two throughout the season so far. The latter is a more negative approach and one that is probably more risky due to its tendency to invite pressure from the opponents. If you invite too much against Real Madrid, it'll surely come back to haunt you. Bianconeri fans should be hoping for a back four.
Isco vs. Andrea Pirlo - Andrea Pirlo's passing range and dead-ball abilities mean he's still a big part of the bianconeri's game plan, though he can be a passenger when Juve are out of possession. That could open up pockets of space in which Isco or James, whoever plays as Madrid's most advanced midfielder, can do damage, so Vidal and Marchisio will have to be sure to give their veteran midfield counterpart a hand defensively.
Prediction
Juve are pretty good defensively, and have upset the odds to reach it to this late stage. However, Real Madrid are simply the better team, and we think the Spaniards will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg.
