Juventus vs. Olympiacos: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape UCL Game

After a brutal run of results recently, Juventus travelled to Empoli on Saturday evening desperate to return to winning ways. The Bianconeri had lost two of their previous three matches, and they will be pleased to have left the Stadio Castellani with a 2-0 win.

It was not an emphatic victory by any means, but it allows morale to improve ahead of a crucial encounter with Olympiacos. The Greek champions recorded a victory over Juventus last month, a result which leaves the Turin giants needing a dramatic improvement if they are to qualify for the latter stages.

All season, progression in the Champions League has been seen as essential to the future of the Bianconeri, the one area in which Massimiliano Allegri can improve upon the achievements of his predecessor. Now, like Antonio Conte before him, the coach will be judged on his team’s performances in Europe’s elite competition.

Allegri is fully aware of the significance of Tuesday’s match, telling a press conference last week that he believes that encounter “will decide whether we are in or out of the Champions League,” per Football Italia.

That could well prove to be true, and over the following pages is a look at the decisions and the issues that could affect the outcome of the game at Juventus Stadium.

The Bianconeri Must Play Like Champions

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

With Juventus spending the past three seasons dominating domestically but struggling in Europe, bringing their best form into the Champions League has proven difficult. Yet, if they are to progress, overcoming Olympiacos should not be beyond this well-built and impressive side.

Gigi Buffon offered an interesting take on the matter last week, discussing it during an interactive chat on the Juventus Twitter account. In a series of messages to enquiring fans, the goalkeeper explained his views, saying (h/t Football Italia):

"

In the Champions League we must aim at least at the quarter-finals, while in the League we must aim to win it again. In the Champions League I think it’s a matter of confidence when it appears that we suffer from pressure away.

Simply put, on the continent we don’t enjoy the same confidence that we have in Italy. To win the Champions League I’d give in exchange 200 of the 500 appearances that I’ve just reached.

"

Belief in Alvaro Morata Must Continue

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Having patiently waited for his chance, Alvaro Morata was granted a place in the starting XI on Saturday and did not disappoint. The young Spaniard had impressed in recent weeks, despite only making brief cameo appearances from the bench, with our preview of the Empoli match calling for him to play a larger role.

With the Bianconeri struggling for goals in recent weeks, Morata’s direct approach and pacey playing style added a much-needed boost to the attack. That he netted his second goal of the campaign after 72 minutes further vindicated his selection, and it means he is also likely to retain his place against Olympiacos.

Rest or Rust: Will Rotation by Juventus Pay Off?

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

If Allegri’s decision to start Morata was proven correct, it was one of many he got right during the match. He managed to rest a number of first-team regulars as Stephan Lichtsteiner, Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez were all rotated out of the line-up.

While two of that trio were eventually introduced, being able to sit them at the start sets the Bianconeri up nicely for Tuesday’s meeting with Olympiacos. Having given his key men a breather, the coach will hope he is repaid with some improved performances from them.

The coach is sweating over the fitness of Angelo Ogbonna and Kwadwo Asamoah, however, telling a press conference on Tuesday (h/t Gianluca Di Marzio) that he hopes they will recover. If not, Allegri added that he has faith in the "technically and tactically reliable" Simone Padoin's ability to fill in as a wing-back on the left.

A Midfield Return to Form Essential

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

If getting key players back on form is vital, nowhere is that more true than in midfield—arguably the strongest area of this current Juventus side. With Andrea Pirlo joining Claudio Marchisio, Pogba and Arturo Vidal, it is difficult to find a better group of players anywhere in Europe.

Yet, Marchisio aside, they have clearly underperformed this term, unable to recapture the level of play which drove the Bianconeri to three successive league titles. Pirlo and Vidal have struggled with injuries, with the former netting his first goal of the campaign via a free-kick against Empoli.

Allegri believes that well-taken strike symbolises a real breakthrough for the bearded star, telling Sport Mediaset (h/t Football Italia) shortly after Saturday’s full-time whistle:

"

Pirlo broke his duck and I think also had a psychological breakthrough with that goal after performances that were not up to his usual standards. He can make the difference on set plays and is improving, as is Vidal.

The coach and Juventus fans everywhere will hope that is true, so central are that duo to everything positive for this team.

"