Am I crazy to suggest that outside of Barcelona, Juventus represent the next best shot at lifting this season’s Champions League? The bookies must think I am, ranking them fifth favourite for the world’s biggest club tournament which resumes this week.
Juventus successfully negotiated one of the hardest groups in the first phase of the competition, emerging unbeaten and having conceded just four goals from their six matches.
Only PSG fared better defensively, letting through three, however they were pitted against much gentler opposition than most.
In a group which also contained Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk and Danish champions Nordsjaelland, Juventus generated more shots than any other team in the Champions League while conceded the sixth fewest.
That were ranked within the competition’s top third for tackles, and sixth overall for intercepted passes.
Juventus’ domestic form has been even more impressive, leading the Serie A by five points while possessing a goal difference of +34, having scored the most goals as well as conceding the least.
In this season’s Serie A, Juventus top every major statistical category thanks largely to a very talented midfield led by one of the world’s very best, Andrea Pirlo and a consistently efficient back four
Juventus’ Achilles heel as the competition enters its tougher phase may pertain to their goal scoring. In this season’s Serie A there’s no less than 16 players who have scored eight or more goals. None are from Juventus.
What may work to Juventus’ advantage however is that their goals have mostly arrived via teamwork this season rather than a sole marksmen or two.
This season they’ve no less than eight players who’ve scored four or more goals. In the group stage of the Champions League, five different Juventus players found themselves on the score sheet.
In addition, the Old Lady of Italian football will also be able to call upon the services of French legend Nicolas Anelka whom they recently signed on load from Chinese Club, Shanghai Shenhua.
Juventus were lucky enough to have drawn Celtic for their round of 16 fixture, and though the Scots famously beat Barcelona back in November, one would think knocking out the 28-time Italian champs would likely constitute even more of an upset.
Yes, Barcelona deserves their favouritism for Europe’s biggest tournament, but Juventus may well represent the best chance of knocking the Catalans off come late May.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
Well said, pal. Well said. Bring on the match, can't wait til kick-off. HH
The Dogboy
Guest
As a massive Juve fan I am extremely excited. Very happy to draw against Celtic. Not because, as alot of people think , it will be easy, becuase it won't. Happy as Parkhead is a history venue, the atmosphere will be immense, it will be a great night and Juve will be back where they belong, in the second round of the UCL. I'm hoping we have enough to get past Celtic. Hoping we score an early goal and then sit back, forcing Celtic to come onto us a bit. However I'd feel alot more comfortable if Chellini and Asamoah were playing, our left side of defence is looking a little weak. Anyway, onto a big game. Forza Juve. Fino all fine!
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
As a PSG fan I think they are a chance. They have been winning with and without Ibra lately, are leading the championship and are on a roll, full of confidence. If they beat Valencia and the favourites keep playing each other in the next few rounds, they could be the bolter of the comp.
Jayden
Guest
I'm a torino fan, but yeah I think they've got a shot. For some reason I like Porto and Dotmund PSg will be gone by the end of this round, they looked atrocious at the start of the season.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
Amen. That said, like most European nights, I won't be holding my breathe for us to progress to the next round, but at the same time I will never rule out the possibility completely as we have shown we can compete with the big boys on these nights, even though when it comes to finances we are competing against teams who are in a different league when it comes to money, as we make/speed only a fraction of what our opponents make/spend. Tonight in Paradise is going to be magic. Here's hoping we can have a repeat of when Juve last played at Celtic Park (now that was magic). HH
Damiano
Guest
Juventus have been underated. They typically started their Champions League campaign slowly, but hit form at the right time. Anelka is unlikely to play much, he is not match fit and not the player he used to be. Llorente has been signed for next season. No disrespect to Celtic, but Juve are technically a much better side, and I'd tend to think they'd need to play poorly not to beat Celtic.
Mike
Guest
I dont know if Anelka is the world class striker they need. If they couldve got Llorrente Id give them a decent crack. I think Bayern Munich are the second most likely after BArca.
agga78
Guest
No they won't win the UCL wait to they get to Celtic Park and here that atmosphere, they should win, but going to Celtic Park they could just melt with how intense that atmosphere will be, not many teams go their and win and Celtic will be up for it and so will the crowd.