5 Reasons to Believe Juventus Can Shock Real Madrid in Champions League
Real Madrid travel to Juventus Stadium on Tuesday evening, the reigning European champions hoping to triumph in a semi-final encounter with Italian football’s most dominant side.
Having finally lifted the trophy for the 10th time, the visitors will hope to continue their incredible record in the continent’s top competition.
Standing in their way is a Juve side who clinched their fourth consecutive Serie A title this past weekend, proving once again that the peninsula’s other clubs are currently no match for the Torinese giants. Having reached this stage for the first time in 12 years, Max Allegri and his players will hope to overcome their status as huge underdogs in this tie.
Over the following pages is a look at five reasons why the Bianconeri might pull off a surprise win over this two legged encounter, seeking to book a place in next month’s final in Berlin.
1. Winning Their Latest League Title
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Having sealed that fourth league title on Sunday, Juventus ensured this meeting with Real Madrid can be their entire focus over the next two weeks. Indeed, next weekend’s Serie A encounter with Cagliari is rendered completely meaningless, the Bianconeri able to rest any number of players before the second leg against Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
In La Liga, however, the side from the Spanish capital trail Barcelona by just two points with three games still to play.
The fixture list has been somewhat unkind to them, meaning they host fourth-placed Valencia next weekend before the conclusion of this Champions League semi-final.
2. The Form of Carlos Tevez
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While his play might not be at the level of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez is every inch as important to his side as those two modern greats.
The 31-year-old has been in fine form throughout 2014-15, netting 28 goals in all competitions, a tally which already includes six Champions League strikes.
3. Hunger Throughout the Team
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Despite their continued domestic success, Juventus are somewhat starved of glory in Europe. The Bianconeri last won the Champions League back in 1996, and the current squad would love to etch their names into club folklore by adding a triumph on the grandest stage of all.
Former boss Giovanni Trapattoni believes that could prove crucial, telling TuttoSport (h/t Football Italia): “Juventus have given ample proof that they have the necessary attributes to accomplish great endeavours.
“This is one way among others to beat Real, by means of character.”
4. The Impact of Massimiliano Allegri
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Having clinched three league titles under Antonio Conte, Juventus were rocked when the coach resigned last summer. Max Allegri arrived and quickly made some interesting changes, teaching the side to be comfortable playing with an orthodox four-man defence as well as within the 3-5-2 framework so beloved by his predecessor.
“The change of Coach gave Juventus something more, because in the first two months of the season we wanted to prove that we were still the best,” defender Giorgio Chiellini told Sport Mediaset back in March (h/t Football Italia).
“We are grateful to Conte and recognise everything he did here, but we also want to prove to everyone and above all to ourselves that we are a great team.”
5. Arturo Vidal
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While other players—including the aforementioned Carlos Tevez—may have an impact upon this tie, perhaps it might once again fall to Arturo Vidal to inspire the Bianconeri.
The Chilean midfielder has struggled for both form and fitness this term but has delivered whenever Juventus need him the most.
It was his goal that ultimately sealed their passage to the last four of Europe’s elite competition, and it is not the only time he has proven decisive during the current campaign.
As discussed in this previous column, Vidal continues to be a vital component for the Italian champions and will be central to their hopes of success.
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