It was a draw that frankly could have been better (look no
further than Group G for example) but overall it was not the worst outcome.
With the likes of the Manchester clubs, PSG and Barcelona in pot 2 there was
always the likely hood of a tough fixture awaiting Juventus.
As it would turn out the club drawn from pot 2 to face Juventus would be a familiar foe… Barcelona. Stating the obvious it
was not a club most fans would want their side to be drawn with. Positives? Barcelona
are still attempting to fill the void left by Neymar with a suitable
replacement. Regardless of who it could be they will have a tough time
replicating the frightening attack of a Neymar, Messi, Suarez combination. There’s also the recent memory
of a 3-0 win for Juventus the last time both sides met in Italy during last seasons campaign.
Another familiar sight was drawn from pot 3. Olympiacos, who
faced Juventus as recent as the 2014/2015 group stage that included a dramatic 3-2 win at the Juventus stadium but also a 1-0 defeat traveling away to Greece. Anyone who remembers
those encounters will know how tricky the Greek side could be if Juventus take
them lightly, specifically for the away game. Fun fact Olympiacos highest
defeat in the champions league was against Juventus in 2003 a 7-0 victory for
the bianconeri.
And finally from pot 4 came Sporting Lisbon. Arguably one of
the sides Juventus would have preferred to have avoided given that Apoel, Qarabağ and Maribor were also in pot 4. However
Sporting are a side Juventus will be expected to defeat both home and away
Overall two exciting
games against Barcelona and a tricky away fixture to Olypiacos makes Group D an intriguing prospect for the Bianconeri and her fans.
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