When the semi-finals of this season's Champions League was announced, one can certainly bet quite a few Real Madrid - and La Liga followers - were happy as they just might get what they have dreamed of for ages: an "El Clasico" final against perpetual rivals Barcelona. However, before Berlin, there are two other teams - Bayern Munich and Juventus - who are certainly no slouches themselves and will be keen on making it a Germany vs. Italy rivalry instead.
Many Real Madrid supporters were also pretty pleased to have received the Bianconeri, who despite their success in Italy, have failed to make the grade in Europe since returning to the continental arena. It was only last season that the team, under the guidance of Antonio Conte, crashed out of the group stages and failed to make it to the Europa League final in their own stadium. As such, many do rate them as the underdogs in this quartet, especially when placed alongside the ruthless Bayern and brilliant Barcelona.
So, not surprisingly, quite a few folks already can imagine Carlo Ancelotti's continent-conquering side making a serious go to become the first team to successfully defend their Champions League crown since the competition was re-formatted in the early 90's.
With their firepower, most Real Madrid fans are confident that their team will sweep aside Juventus en route to another Champions League final next month
However, those devoted to the capital club may want to be a bit cautious in feeling over-confident, as strange as that may sound. Both Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri's squads will come into this mouth-watering clash following wins this weekend, with Juventus sealing their fourth straight Scudetto with Arturo Vidal earning them a 1-0 win over Sampdoria and Real Madrid making sure they stay close to the Blaugrana by powering past Sevilla.
In terms of the Champions League, Real Madrid, of course, have won a history-making ten, including last season's triumph over city rivals Atletico Madrid. La Vecchia Signora, meanwhile, have only lifted the trophy twice, with their last win nearly two decades ago in 1996.
Juventus have enjoyed a renaissance domestically after a difficult time following the calciopoli scandal, and now are seeking to establish themselves among the continent's elite
Yet a closer look shows that it is the reigning Scudetto champions who actually have enjoyed the historical advantage over the 10-time European winners, meaning that Juventus could certainly pose a trickier opponent than some may initially assume.
The first meeting between Italian icon Gigi Buffon and Spanish superstar Iker Casillas, both of whom are currently captains of the Azzurri and la Furia Roja as well as for club took place on May 6, 2003. Interestingly enough, it was also at this very same stage - the final four - and the first leg concluded as a 2-1 win in favour of Real Madrid at their home stadium.
Buffon and Casillas first met at this exact same stage nearly 12 years ago to this day...and it was Juve to make it to the 2003 UCL final...
...but will it end in joy for the Italian or the Spaniard goalkeeping legend this time around?
However, the Bianconeri staged a brilliant comeback to to win 3-1 eight days later on the night - and 4-3 on aggregate - only to lose to AC Milan in an all-Italian final.
It would again be Juve who would end Real Madrid's European ambitions just two seasons later, during the round of 16. Again, it would be the Spanish giants to strike first, with a slim 1-0 lead to take to Turin, but a certain player named Marcelo Zalayeta and his 116th minute goal would be enough to send the Italian powerhouse through.
Frustratingly for the team's fans, though, they would again falter in Europe and fail to get past eventual champions Liverpool, who eliminated them in the quarter-finals after seeing a 2-1 win at Anfield enough to see them through.
The win on March 9, 2005 would also be the last time Real Madrid were able to beat Juventus in competitive fixtures, until the group stage meeting on October 23, 2013. With a man advantage following Giorgio Chiellini's red card, Ancelotti's troops were able to strike first blood after winning 2-1 at home.
October 2013 marked the first time in three meetings (excluding friendliees) that Casillas's Real Madrid finally defeated Buffon's Juventus
The home base of Juventus, though, would again prove to be a stumbling ground - like it has done so for numerous Italian and other European sides - as they were unable to earn all three points as Fernando Llorente's goal secured a draw for the hosts. Despite this, it would be Juventus left feeling disappointed sans a continental trophy whilst Real Madrid would go on to lift it after an all-Spanish battle in Lisbon later that season.
Prior to then, the continent's most decorated club had lost their two group stage meetings during the 2008/2009 edition by scores of 2-1 and 2-0. As of today, Juventus and Real Madrid have met a total of eight times - excluding a friendly match in 2009. La Vecchia Signora have won four versus Real's three. And interestingly, none of Real Madrid's wins since the creation of the Champions League in 1992 have come in Turin, a fact that will surely be on Ancelotti's mind as he seeks to match Fiorentina as the only team this season - and the first continental side since Bayern Munich in April 2013 - to beat Juve at the fortress known as Juventus Stadium.
All in all, the two giants have met 16 times including the European Cup, with the results pretty evenly split: seven wins for Juve, eight for Madrid, and one draw.
The Italian tactician, widely renowned as one of the best in the business, is also known to Juventus supporters, many of whom who never warmed up to him before he was sacked in 2001 after winning just one trophy in 1999. Naturally, there will also be that bit of extra personal incentive as he faces off against countryman Allegri - who, as calcio fans know, also happened to manage the same Milan side, albeit with less success than Ancelotti.
The Rossoneri connection: Today will be the first time ex-Milan managers Allegri and Ancelotti face off in the Champions League
It will also be an interesting case to see how the two coaches, both well-versed and knowledgeable of the true catenaccio style associated with Italian teams, attempt to tactically outmanoeuvre each other. Juventus have only conceded an impressive 29 goals across all competitions, led by their own "BBC" (Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli, and Chiellini as well as Buffon).
In Europe, they have allowed just a paltry five goals past them and to further highlight this impressive feat, Real Madrid in just one match against Schalke conceded four. On the offensive front, Juve have netted 90 in all games with 13 in the Champions League, but after just scoring once in 180+ minutes of football against Monaco, they will surely need to improve on that as they take on tougher opponents, all whilst trying to maintain an air-tight defense.
They've got their "BBC", but we have ours: Juve and Azzurri defensive trio Bonucci, Barzagli, and Chiellini have played together for 4 seasons in Turin and have won 4 Scudetti thus far
However, Ancelotti, having played for Parma, Roma, and Milan and, of course, cut his teeth managing in his native Italy is no indeed stranger to ultra-defensive tactics. And both Real Madrid fans and pundits would not label them as the favourites to retain the trophy just for the sake of it. For starters, there is their top notch attack, who have scored 147 goals in all competitions and 22 so far in the Champions League, including a whopping 16 in the group stages. Defensively, they have also done quite well for themselves, with just six goals given up so far.
Should Juventus manage to make it to Berlin, it would be nothing short of a dream debut season for Allegri, whose appointment at the helm of the Bianconeri was not widely received by some sections of the club's fan-base. Given their head-to-head record, though, it is, on paper at least, not outside the realm of possibility one bit. However, in Juve's way stand an opponent determined to make history in their own right and guided by Ancelotti, a man well-versed in the playing styles of teams where he began his professional career.
All the makings are indeed there for what should be an entertaining tactical battle from kick-off to the final whistle and it will be fascinating to see which side will head to Madrid next week moving even closer to a much coveted final spot in Berlin next month.
