UEFA Champions League
Atletico Madrid vs Juventus Preview
Atletico Madrid and Juventus face off in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
Both sides have been the bridesmaids in recent years of the Champions League. Atletico have been runners-up in two of the last five finals in 2014 and 2016.
Meanwhile, Juventus have been runners-up in two of the last four finals in 2015 and 2017.
For the Serie A champions, the expectation is huge this season after signing Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.
Success in the Champions League is simply a must for Juventus boss Max Allegri.
However, it will be a tough test against one of the best defenses in Europe. Atletico have conceded only 17 goals in La Liga in 24 league games this season.
Juventus comfortably defeated Frosinone 3-0 at the weekend, meanwhile Atletico struggled to a single goal victory away to Rayo Vallecano.
Team News
Diego Costa returned from two months out injured at the weekend, but is unlikely to be fit to start on Wednesday night.
Defender Lucas Hernandez is unlikely to feature.
For Juventus, winger Juan Cuadrado and full-back Alex Sandro could return after missing Juventus’ 3-0 victory against Frosinone at the weekend.
Previous Encounters
Both Atletico and Juventus have only met twice in European competition.
The last time was in 2014 when both sides were drawn in the same Champions League group.
An Arda Turan goal was the difference the last time both sides met in Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.
Juventus and Atletico shared a goalless draw when they last met in Turin.
Predicted Line-Ups
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2) Oblak; Arias, Godin, Gimenez, Luis; Koke, Rodri, Thomas, Saul; Griezmann, Morata
Juventus (4-3-3) Szczesny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Pjanic, Matuidi, Khedira; Ronaldo, Dybala, Mandzukic
Match Prediction
Wednesday’s clash sees two of the best center-back pairings in Europe go head-to-head. Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez for Atletico and Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini for Juventus.
Atletico have played 29 Champions League games at home under Diego Simeone, losing on just two occasions. Even more impressively, they have won 22 of those games and 17 of those victories have come without conceding.
Juventus are also strong at the back and have kept four clean sheets in six Champions League games so far this season.
With chances set to be at a premium the pressure will be on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann and Paulo Dybala to create and score the few goal scoring opportunities afforded to them.
If you are looking for free flowing attacking football, then this game may not be for you.
However, if you are a fan of defending then you will love this encounter. Expect this to be a very tight and close clash over the two legs.
It wouldn’t be a suprise if it went all the way to penalties in Turin in a couple of weeks time.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Juventus
Photo credit to Juventus via Twitter
