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.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
Well, unfortunately it was not thrilling tie many, including myself, thought it might be. Juventus were not able to adequately show their strengths as the best team in the Serie A. However, you can simply take nothing away from Bayern, who did not allow Juventus to control any part of the tie. Bayern were seemingly in control of the tie right from the first minute Alaba goal in Munich. They were clinical in attack and unbreakable in defense. It's a big call, given the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona both making the semi's, but it would be hard to go past Bayern as a favourite for this year's title.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
And the ref calls full-time on the match and on Juve's Champions League campaign. Bayern winning the match 2-0, comprehensively knocking Juventus out 4-0 on aggregate. Juventus 0 – Bayern 2
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
90 +2 - GOOOOAL! Bayern make it 2-0 and it is the substitute, Pizarro who grabs a Champions League goal. Schweinsteiger with a great little ball through, for Pizarro to shoot past Buffon. Juventus 0 – Bayern 2
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
90+2 - Two minutes injury time added. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
87' - SOME ACTION! Robben moving forward puts a great low shot in on Buffon's goal, forcing a diving save to his right. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
86' - This has almost turned into a training match... I would be lying if I didn't admit my attention has turned to Barca v PSG in the background (3-3 on aggregate at the moment, Barca ahead on away goals). Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
84' - Final change for Bayern, Mandzukic off for Pizarro. Mandzukic knows he will miss the first leg of the semi. A bitter pill to swallow considering the harsh circumstance of his yellow card today. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
83' - Well the sting has been taken completely out of the game, with both teams happy to just play the ball around. Bayern possible thinking ahead to who they might play in the next round, while Juve will set their sights on clinching another Serie A title. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
80' - Bayern with a change now, Ribery off for Gustavo. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
79' - Juventus makes their final change with Giaccherini coming on for Marchisio. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
78' - Muller shoots low just wide of Buffon's right post. Would have been impossible to stop had that been on target. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
75' - Despite the pending result, Pogba has had a great game today. Both on and off the ball, he has been applying pressure where possible. There is a very promising career in the making in the form of the French international. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
74' - Pogba goes for goal from a substantial distance. A great deal of power behind it but Neuer with an standard save. Pogba has scored from that kind of distance in the Serie A! Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
72' - Almost a chance for Juve. Ball comes in from Isla, with Pogba purposefully leaving it to Vucinic, however Neuer is able to claim before Vucinic can wind up. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
71' - Some tempers flaring there. Vucinic slides in on Lahm, however the contact was very minimal. Neuer comes out of goal to tell Vucinic his thoughts on that one! Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
69' - Another change for Juve with Isla going on for Padoin. Another straight swap from Conte. Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
66' - A change for Juventus. As thought, Matri comes on however quite surprisingly Conte takes Quagliarella off!? Not sure what the thinking is there by Conte. Surely there is no reason to be conservative at this stage, with four goals needed... Juventus 0 – Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
66' - Well... Bayern probably should have made it 2-0. The ball falling for Muller on the break who enters the box, puts a shot in past Buffon only for it to float over the goal. Juventus 0 - Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
66' - This has seemingly all but ended the tie. No chance of overtime, Juventus need four to go through. Juventus 0 - Bayern 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
64' - GOOOOOOAL! BAYERN SCORE! Schweinsteiger floats the ball in, with Martinez getting a touch for Buffon to make a fantastic save. The ball only falls as far as Mandzukic who scores a goal with a simple touch. Juventus 0 - Bayern 0