Champions League 2015: Juventus vs. Real Madrid Semifinal Predictions

Juventus will host Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal at the Juventus Stadium and it’s a clash that has got the football firmament salivating.

The Bianconeri are bidding to make it to their first European Cup final in 12 years with a win over the Spanish giants. But Carlo Ancelotti’s crop of illustrious superstars are bang in form and have a huge incentive of becoming the first team to retain this title in its current format.

Here’s a closer examination of this enticing encounter and some projections from high-profile figures on the cusp of this one.

Emphasis on Bianconeri Back Line

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This game is being billed as you would expect. The Italian giants, rich in a history of catenaccio and debilitating tactics, up against the Spanish juggernauts, who boast some of the world’s finest attacking options and operate with an enamouring flair to match.

Indeed, speaking ahead of the contest, former Juve manager Marcelo Lippi claimed the Bianconeri can win this one, but they must defend “very well,” per TuttoJuve (h/t football-italia.net):

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I expect realism because of the awareness of the strength of their opponents, but also great belief in their chances.

Juventus will have to defend very well against these great champions, and when I say that I mean being compact as a team, not just in defence. …

I think they can do it, but clearly there should be no mistakes. They must give 150 per cent physically and psychologically.

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The need for defensive diligence goes without saying for Juve really and given they've only conceded three goals in their 10 Champions League matches this season, per WhoScored.com, expect another determined showing at the back. But Ancelotti can call upon some of the most incisive offensive players in the game and in Cristiano Ronaldo, he has a forward who is back to his stunning best.

The Portuguese sensation bagged a brilliant hattrick in a vital away win for Real over Sevilla at the weekend. As we can see here courtesy of Bleacher Report UK, the 30-year-old has been in unbelievable form throughout the overwhelming majority of the season:

Naturally, Ronaldo is a key man for Los Blancos and a player Bianconeri boss Allegri will have to make some exceptional allowances for. However, in his column for ESPN FC, Graham Hunter has predicted the performances of the respective sides’ distinguished goalkeepers—Real’s Iker Casillas and Juve’s Gianluigi Buffon—will be decisive in the tie:

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The past couple seasons have been rough for Casillas and beautiful for Buffon. The Juve captain has yet another Scudetto tucked away now. Casillas might still emulate that, but he needs to produce some more genius in order to not end what just might be his last Madrid season with a whimper.

This needn't be the last episode of the Gigi and Iker show; perhaps Euro 2016 holds that treat for us. For the moment, it's in their hands, or the tips of their fingers, the toes of their boots or the points of their elbows, to determine whether Madrid or Juventus contest the 2015 Champions League final in Berlin.

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Buffon will be revered as one of the great stoppers when he does eventually hang up his gloves. However, despite winning eight Serie A titles and the World Cup, he’s never got his hands on the Champions League trophy during his decorated career.

As noted here by Eurosport.com, there are some some less illustrious names to have lifted the trophy at the expense of some greats of the game, a category in which Buffon belongs:

However, Bleacher Report's Italian football expert Matteo Bonetti thinks the Serie A side are well capable of ending their 19-year wait for Europe's top prize:

In terms of a score prediction for this particular game, it’s very difficult to call. Both sides have been in fine recent form, Juve boast a formidable home record and a stringent defensive line, while Real’s attacking options are enough to breach even the most organised outfits.

Perhaps that’s why David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com made a completely different kind of prediction for this encounter when the draw was made:

The omission of Paul Pogba—who remains sidelined with an injury—will ultimately be to Juve’s detriment as they bid to take a lead back to the Santiago Bernabeu. Had the Frenchman been available, you’d have fancied the Bianconeri to overpower the Spanish giants in midfield and in front of a raucous crowd, secure an important win in the home leg.

But Real seem to be finding their groove coming into this one and in Ronaldo, they have a player who can turn precariously poised games in their favour. Expect Juventus to get on the scoresheet, but for Los Blancos’ array of attacking talent to conjure one moment of supreme ingenuity and grab a vital away goal.

Prediction: Juventus 1-1 Real Madrid