Juventus vs. Real Madrid: 5 key matchups

In a repeat of last year’s final, Juventus look for revenge over Real Madrid in Turin on Tuesday. Here are some crucial matchups that could decide the game.

It seems that if Real Madrid are to win the Champions League for a third consecutive year, they must do it the hard way. Having dispensed of Neymar’s PSG in the first knockout round, they now face old foes Juventus in the 20th meeting between the two sides and the third in four years, including last year’s final. Here are five matchups that could decide the first leg of this massive quarterfinal.

Real Madrid vs. history

Real haven’t got a lot going for them this season. Out of the race for any domestic sliverware, Europe is all Los Blancos  have left. In the past, that has suited them well. The defending champions have rarely needed to do well at home to achieve success in Europe and this season has been no different. Although he’s only just coming into form in Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in great form in Europe this season, scoring in every game so far.

However, Italy is traditionally a venue where Madrid have come unstuck; they have won just twice in their last 10 visits.  Both those wins came in the last two years, against Napoli and Roma. Before those games, you would have to go back to 2004 for Real Madrid’s last win in Italy. Turin has been particularly tricky for Real Madrid having never beaten Juventus over two legs in the Champions League era, a run spanning four knockout rounds, including the last time Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League three seasons ago.

The away leg has proven particularly difficult for Madrid having won just once in their last six visits to the Juventus Stadium. Such stats then suggest that a win in Turin will be crucial if Madrid want any hope of progressing to the semifinals.

Buffon vs. Ronaldo

It will come as no surprise these superstars appeared on this list. Both players are among the all-time best in their positions and as has been the case in recent meetings between the two sides, their performances will be a deciding factor in who advances to the semis.

Ronaldo has gotten the better of Buffon in recent matches, becoming this fixture’s top scorer with a brace in the Champions League final last June, bringing his tally against the Old Lady to seven goals since 2013. He’ll take some stopping again this year, having scored in every Champions League game so far with 12 goals overall. The Portuguese star seems to be coming into form having just come off a scoring streak with club and country in which he’s scored 18 goals in eight league games, having only scored four in his first 15.

Of course, Buffon is no slouch either. The Italian conceded his first Serie A goal of 2018 last weekend against AC Milan. Despite conceding eight Champions League goals in the leadup to this game, Juventus haven’t eased up defensively with a gritty away result to Tottenham demonstrating the pedigree of both Buffon and his defensive line.

They also have ample motivation to put in a big performance over two legs with this likely being Buffon’s last chance to win a Champions League medal. Real Madrid also denied them a first European title in 22 years in such emphatic fashion last season, giving Juve plenty of reason for revenge. It’s another classic forward vs. goalkeeper matchup. Enjoy it, because it might be the last time we see these two on the same pitch.

Matuidi, Marchisio and Khedira vs. Casemiro, Modric and Kroos

With the creative guile of Miralem Pjanic out for Juve, they’ll run with quite a contrasting midfield to their Spanish opponents. Both Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio will likely play in front of Blaise Matuidi, the duo are usually defensive midfielders by trade, but are capable of playing a physical and offensive game if needs must.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, will opt for the more technical options of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric with their own destroyer, Casemiro, sitting in behind. It will be interesting to see how each side’s midfields approach the game. Will Juventus try to physically overpower Real or will the metronomic duo of Kroos and Modric dictate the tempo as they so often do for Los Blancos. 

One shouldn’t mistake this for a purely brawns vs. brains matchup. Both Khedira and, in particular, Marchisio are excellent technically. However, few midfields matchup to Modric and Kroos, so it’s unlikely Massimiliano Allegri will ask his trio to play Kroos and Modric’s game without their most creative player on the field. Instead, he’ll likely opt for a more cautious approach and ask the likes of Marchisio to be intelligent in possession and aggressive out of it.

It will be crucial for Juventus midfield to manage Modric and co. Should Los Blancos win the midfield battle, they’re halfway to winning the game, such is the creative genius of Modric and Kroos.

Ramos vs. Chiellini

In the buildup to this game, Giorgio Cheillini described Sergio Ramos as the best defender in the world. Though some might not agree, Ramos does deserve a lot of credit for his defensive work, particularly in important matches. Madrid’s captain was vital to Madrid reaching the quarterfinals with something of a masterclass in defense against PSG.

Chiellini’s comments will surely mean a lot to Ramos considering the Italian defender is right up with Ramos as one of the best defenders in the world. Chiellini had an equally impressive game away to Tottenham as Ramos had away to PSG, and the two veterans will be vital in organizing their respective defensive line.

They’ll clash in another aspect of the game, with set pieces likely to be a feature of both side’s attack. Real Madrid have conceded the most set-piece goals in La Liga this season, something Juventus and Chiellini will be eager to exploit. It won’t just be Juventus looking to take advantage of set pieces, with Real Madrid having gained quite a reputation for scoring from dead ball situations. Indeed, Ramos has scored more than his fair share of goals from corners and despite not being as prolific this season, he remains a big threat.

Next: Top 25 players in Champions League history

Juventus vs. the yellow card

Juventus have already fallen victim to the yellow card this season with Pjanic and Mehdi Benatia suspended for this game. However, they can’t afford to get any more cards on Tuesday, or else face the possibly of going to Madrid without Chiellini and Alex Sandro, who are both a booking away from suspension.

Juventus have the third most yellow cards in the Champions League with 18, just two behind Besiktas with 20. The Italian side have conceded 107 fouls in the Champions League so far and such eagerness to foul the opposition is unlikely not to unpunished against a side so prominent in the air as Real Madrid. Allegri needs to get more measured defensive performances from his players.