Juventus play host to mighty Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. The two clubs have undeniable European pedigree as they have played no less than 20 continental cup finals between them. The two sides have met 16 times on previous occasions, there was just one draw, eight wins for Real and 7 for Juve. Last season they met during the group stage and Real Madrid got four points out of the two encounters.
Juventus have not reached this stage of the competition since 2003, when they lost the final to fellow Italian side AC Milan. That time they had faced none other than Real Madrid in the semi-finals and managed to prevail 4-3 on aggregate. Massimiliano Allegri and his team have secured the Serie A title last weekend, their fourth consecutive crown and the 31st in club history. The Italians have been strong in defence in this season's Champions League, with just five goals conceded in ten matches. They are also unbeaten in their last 12 European matches at home. Juventus will have to do without star midfielder Paul Pogba due to a hamstring injury while Martin Caceres is also out.
Real Madrid, last season's Champions League winners, are looking to become the first club to successfully defend the coveted trophy. Such a success might be the only thing that would secure Carlo Ancelotti's job, especially if they lose the Primera Liga title to Barcelona. Real Madrid have a good record in their previous Champions League away matches, they lost just one of their last eleven and won eight. However, they haven't won any of their previous seven matches in Italy. Real will be without Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, but Gareth Bale should be available after a calf injury.
Probable line-ups:
Juventus: Buffon - Lichsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra - Pirlo, Vidal, Marchisio - Tevez, Llorente
Real Madrid: Casillas - Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo - Ramos, Kroos, James - Bale, Ronaldo, Hernandez
My prediction: 0-0 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Juventus win - 3.00 Draw - 3.25 Real Madrid win - 2.60
timidi 8 years ago
Juventus have good result before rematch in Madrid. Not perfect but good enough. They must be happy with this result because Real Madrid had a lot of chances to score second goal and if they executed some of that chances I think that things will be over. Now they are going to Madrid to defend that 2-1 from first match and...
Juventus have good result before rematch in Madrid. Not perfect but good enough. They must be happy with this result because Real Madrid had a lot of chances to score second goal and if they executed some of that chances I think that things will be over. Now they are going to Madrid to defend that 2-1 from first match and we all know how great Juventus is in defense, so I think that will be very very interesting in Madrid.
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kruno1414 8 years ago
it was a real semifinals match , Juventus started of good in the first half , with few good chances . They scored early , and after that gave the ball to Real Madrid and REal used that in the right way and scored right back . They had another great chance through James Rodriguez who really missed the imposibble . Second...
it was a real semifinals match , Juventus started of good in the first half , with few good chances . They scored early , and after that gave the ball to Real Madrid and REal used that in the right way and scored right back . They had another great chance through James Rodriguez who really missed the imposibble . Second half was more quiet but Carvajal made a terrible mistake by fouling tevez in the restricted area , and tevez converted the penalty , after this lead Juvents was all on defence but no true chances for Madrid . Llorente could finish off madrid he had a good chance in the closing minutes but casillas was on the right place . i expect a good 2nd game :)
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seculla 8 years ago
After this great match my comment seems very objective :P Great game from Juventus players, everything worked perfectly. There were two or three mistakes on their own half, and from one of them Real scored. On the other side, Ronaldo and Bale didn't get many space to run and I think that that was the main factor that don't...
After this great match my comment seems very objective :P Great game from Juventus players, everything worked perfectly. There were two or three mistakes on their own half, and from one of them Real scored. On the other side, Ronaldo and Bale didn't get many space to run and I think that that was the main factor that don't let them to make more chances for goal. Great match. Forza Juve! Fino Alla Fine!
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
Excellent football we saw last night in Turin. Two great teams are playing excellent football and in the end deserved victory for Juventus. They played well, they knew how to reach their goals and succeed in it. On the other hand, Real tried with Ronaldo and Bale in the attack, but they failed to take advantage their speed....
Excellent football we saw last night in Turin. Two great teams are playing excellent football and in the end deserved victory for Juventus. They played well, they knew how to reach their goals and succeed in it. On the other hand, Real tried with Ronaldo and Bale in the attack, but they failed to take advantage their speed.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Just like I said, Juventus is great team and you can't talk about Juventus like some underdog. They played very well and they deserved this win. It is not big advantage for rematch but I think that Juve won't go to Madrid just to play defense, they will play their game on counter attacks and i think that Real Madrid will...
Just like I said, Juventus is great team and you can't talk about Juventus like some underdog. They played very well and they deserved this win. It is not big advantage for rematch but I think that Juve won't go to Madrid just to play defense, they will play their game on counter attacks and i think that Real Madrid will have hard hard task to beat Juventus and go in the next round - Final round.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
I don't know why people think that Real Madrid will win easy and go into the final. This is Juventus we talking about, big club, a lot of supporters great defense and great attackers and I think that they can do a lot of damage to Real Madrid. I think that tonight we will see draw with no goals and in re-match will be decision...
I don't know why people think that Real Madrid will win easy and go into the final. This is Juventus we talking about, big club, a lot of supporters great defense and great attackers and I think that they can do a lot of damage to Real Madrid. I think that tonight we will see draw with no goals and in re-match will be decision who are going to finals.
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h34dhunt3r 8 years ago
People keep calling this ''less attractive match'' compared to Barcelona vs Bayern Munich. But people tend to fail aswell. I gotta feeling that this duel is gonna be highly about tactics, since we have two Italian coaches facing each other. About tonights game I'm not sure what to think. If it was 1st match in Madrid, Real...
People keep calling this ''less attractive match'' compared to Barcelona vs Bayern Munich. But people tend to fail aswell. I gotta feeling that this duel is gonna be highly about tactics, since we have two Italian coaches facing each other. About tonights game I'm not sure what to think. If it was 1st match in Madrid, Real would be favourite. But tonight, everything can happen. Juventus got history on their side, Real quality at this moment. Carlo Ancelotti switched formation specially for this match to 4-4-2. I'm gonna bet that Juve scores one goal in first half, will try my luck. My predictions: - Result: 1-1 with Juve leading during 1st half; - Man of the match: Sergio Ramos
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terrier 8 years ago
This will be a very interesting and important match for both teams. I'm convinced that Real Madrid will pas the turn if they dont lose in the 1st leg. But it will be difficult for them, Juventus deffensive are very strong and i think Real will not score more than one goal. I think an under 2.5 goals is a good bet for today's...
This will be a very interesting and important match for both teams. I'm convinced that Real Madrid will pas the turn if they dont lose in the 1st leg. But it will be difficult for them, Juventus deffensive are very strong and i think Real will not score more than one goal. I think an under 2.5 goals is a good bet for today's match.
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sharpe 8 years ago
Historically Juventus are very successful in the matches against Real Madrid and sometimes this is factor. This first game will be very important for Juve and a clean sheet could be very helpful to their cause. Real are the bookies favourite for this clash but I'm not so sure.
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seculla 8 years ago
As a true Juventus fan maybe I'll be subjective in this comment, and I will say that Real Madrid is not so big favorite in this game as they promote themselves and as their fans are thinking. Juve proved this season that they are by far the best team in Italy, and also with Max they are playing very "smart" football in...
As a true Juventus fan maybe I'll be subjective in this comment, and I will say that Real Madrid is not so big favorite in this game as they promote themselves and as their fans are thinking. Juve proved this season that they are by far the best team in Italy, and also with Max they are playing very "smart" football in Champions League. It will be hard, and I hope that I'll see Juve in the final this season. Fino Alla Fine! Forza Juve!
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mdacic 8 years ago
In this semi finals Real Madrid is big favorite and in this match too. Juventus can be happy with the fact that they are in semi finals of champions league after long time and I think that they are aware that they are the weakest team in this stage of champions league. I think that Real will win both games and there will...
In this semi finals Real Madrid is big favorite and in this match too. Juventus can be happy with the fact that they are in semi finals of champions league after long time and I think that they are aware that they are the weakest team in this stage of champions league. I think that Real will win both games and there will play against Barcelona.
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