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Juventus must pull back a two-goal deficit to advance to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals when they host Bayern Munich this morning. We’ll have live scores from 4.45am AEST.
A quarter-final consisting of Bayern Munich and Juventus had all the trimmings to be a memorable UEFA Champions League clash.
Widely touted, admittedly by myself included, as the strongest in the Bundesliga and Serie A going head to head, Bayern quite convincingly outplayed the Italian champions, winning 2-0 in Munich.
A first minute David Alaba goal seemingly knocked the wind out of Juventus and the viewing spectacle itself, as Bayern went on to take a substantial control of the match.
One week on, Bayern are buoyed not only by their two-nil Champions League advantage but after officially clinching the Bundesliga title, ending Borussia Dortmund’s two-year reign at the top.
The 1-0 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt sewed up the fastest ever Bundesliga Championship, after only twenty-eight matches.
However Bayern Captain, Phillip Lahm, was quick to play down any celebrations following the Frankfurt victory, given the pending second leg.
“There will be the one or the other beer that will be opened on the way back tonight. But we now want to focus on Juventus. It is not finished yet,” said Lahm.
You could not begrudge the side from possibly entering this week’s second leg with a hint of complacency, given the mountain Juventus needs to climb.
The Bianconeri will not only start 2-0 down on aggregate but enter the game minus Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner, both suspended after receiving a yellow card in Munich.
With a restricted team sheet, Antonio Conte has a tough ask to apply pressure to and break the Germans’ defensive line (at least twice), while keeping the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery and Mario Mandzukic away from their own goal.
As Conte himself noted, “If we want to impose our rhythm on the game we have to go after them”.
And with the absence of Vidal in the midfield, the stage is set for Paul Pogba to potentially make his mark.
Despite the obstacle ahead, Juventus will not give up until the final whistle, a simple but significant factor which has seen the Bianconeri steal a number of last minute Serie A results this season.
And with the likes of Andrea Pirlo providing from deep in midfield, the Old Lady is not yet dead, and will be out for an early goal to provide a catalyst for momentum.
With Juventus set to attack the German champions, Bayern will be looking to take advantage of any space and break with speed.
Thus with a high paced, open match potentially in the making, the tie has not lost its appeal by any means. Do not be surprised if goals are plentiful.
Players to Watch
Andrea Pirlo: Beyond his free-kicks and corners, Pirlo went missing in the first leg as a result of Bayern’s domination.
If Juventus are to apply any significant pressure, Pirlo will need to be on his game and he has the experience and skill to deliver as such.
Paul Pogba: Vidal’s suspension has provided a big opportunity for the rising French star. He has produced some moments of brilliance this season in Italy and will be keen to produce something special for the occasion.
Dante / Daniel Van Buyten: With Juventus set to attack and Bayern, from a certain perspective, ‘protecting’ an aggregate lead away from home, the strength of Bayern’s centre backs will go a long way towards deciding the tie’s outcome.
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