PREVIOUS MEETING : 09.12.2014 (Group Stage)
JUVENTUS 0-0 ATLETICO
FORM : PREVIOUS 5 RESULTS
ATLETICO : 3 WINS, 0 DRAW, 2 DEFEAT
JUVENTUS : 3 WINS, 1 DRAW, 1 DEFEAT
MOST RECENT RESULT :
JUVENTUS 3-0 FROSINONE
RAYO VALECANO 0-1 ATLETICO MADRID
Not so long ago the objective early on for clubs entering the group stage of the champions league was simple, win your group and be rewarded with a favourable tie in the round of 16, instead Juventus were rewarded with Atletico Madrid. Coincidentally, it could be said that Atletico Madrid are Spain's version of Juventus, a side that is more renown for their defensive abilities than attacking flair. Also similar to Juventus has been Atletico’s miss-fortune in the champions league, both reaching the final on two occasions within 3 seasons only to finish runners up, both losing against Spanish opposition.
Juventus come into this game with good form, scoring 6 goals in their previous 2 games whilst keeping a clean sheet in the process, with the first leg being played away scoring for Juventus will be the number one priority. Unfortunately they are playing against a side that has won their previous 8 home games in European competition, and are unbeaten in 12. There is however some good news, lately Atletico Madrid have not exactly been looking like their usual self, losing the Madrid derby 3-1 (at home) before going on to struggle against Rayo Vallecano, but still bagging themselves a late goal in a 1-0 win.
ALVARO MORATA
You remember him don’t you? The Spanish striker who became a fan favourite at Juventus for his goals in the champions league, good times. Fast forward to 2019 and Morata is back in Madrid, and in need of a goal… Badly. So badly in fact that it seems he will celebrate his first goal for his new club against anyone, even if its against the Old Lady herself, "I will (celebrate if I score), for all the Atletico Madrid people. There are the same people that used to be there the day I left. And now I am here again”. Yet once upon a time when Morata played in black & white he chose not to celebrate against his then former club Real Madrid, twice. Hopefully he will still be waiting to celebrate that first goal after Wednesday night.
SAMI KHEDIRA
Unfortunately Khedira will be missing out on this game completely, which would usually be celebrated by some Juventus fans if it were for a different reason. On Tuesday night it was announced that Khedira would be remaining in Turin after medical tests revealed that he had an irregular heartbeat. Despite all the jokes and below the belt comments made about Khedira over the past two seasons, few (if any) Juventus fans would want to see Khedira omitted from the squad due to health issues. What this means for Khedira’s future at the club is uncertain, but what is certain is that Juventus fans will be wishing the German a full recovery from this sudden setback.
PAULO DYBALA
What this does mean however is that Dybala will once again be in the starting 11, and will once again be called upon to be the creative influence in an attack that will likely feature Mandzukic & Ronaldo in a front 3, "We need his technique and style of play, and if you're in good condition like he is then it is right that you play” if Dybala’s goal against Frosinone is anything to go by, expect Dybala to find his way into the spotlight at some point inside of the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
THE RONALDO FACTOR
This one is stating the obvious, when the knockout round of the champions league begins Ronaldo comes alive, just ask Atletico Madrid fans. The previous season Ronaldo ended the campaign as Champions League top goal scorer with a total of 15 goals, 5 of which came in the knockout round."Cristiano is very motivated in this competition he has proved it," said Miralem Pjanic, "He has always been present and decisive. He is part of our team and he will want to win." Despite being Juventus top goal scorer with 21 goals, So far Ronaldo has scored just the one goal over 4 games in the champions league. Knowing Ronaldo this is a statistic he will be eager to improve on, especially against an opponent he knows very well. Whats the chances that its Ronaldo’s name on the score-sheet before the night is over? Pretty likely, given that Ronaldo has scored 4 in Juventus previous 4 fixtures and that he also holds the record of scoring most goals in the Madrid derby (22 goals)
WHAT TO EXPECT
So with all that said what should be expected from this encounter? Like the opposition itself, this is a tough one to call and could go either way. A result for either side wouldn't be a shock, which means a draw being the likely outcome, preferably a score draw. However what can be expected is a tough scrappy game with little ground being given by either side. This may very well be a case of each side facing a mirror image of themselves, except one side has Ronaldo in their ranks. Juventus will be hoping that the physical presence of Mandzukic & Ronaldo's habit of scoring against Atletico Madrid will be enough to get a precious away goal, a goal that could prove the difference come the end of this tie. Will it be a match winning goal? only time will tell
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